Hardtop paint question

[BMAD01]

I have an 88 Eddie Bauer with 171,000mi on it.  The hardtop fiberglass is showing thru whatever paint was on there origonally in spots and I'd like to paint it over.  I was thinking of painting it with truck bedliner paint.  I was thinking that I could get about a gallon of it and just use a roller to put it on without removing the top.  Is this a good idea?  If so what preperation would I need to do on the existing surface as rough as it is.  I was also thinking of going to Black over the old color.  Will this make the inside of my Bronco like an oven in the sun?  Thanks, Brian

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Brian,

I painted mine with bedliner spray on the sides and edges of the top. Then I put a foil type roofing layer on the very top. ( where you can't see from the ground). I think the stuff was called "Weather Shield" it comes in 3' by 50' rolls in Home depot. 

Even though I went from a tan to black, after adding Weather Shield the interior was easier to get cooled.

Whether you spray, roll, or use a brush, it's a good idea to wash the roof first, and then let it dry for a good 2 days. That old fiberglass can such up the moisture. If it isn't completely dry, your paint will blister. If it's chalky, you need to coat it with a sealer first. Homedepot has that too...Sealcrete is a clear sealer that you can brush or roll. It will seal any loose fibers, or chalky paint. Drys fast too. But if you drip any where you don't want it it is a bear to get off.  I taped off or covered everything on the Beast I wasn't painting.

Good Luck and post pics for us.

 

[BMAD01]

Thanks for the fast reply Ron!  No wonder you are the "supreme commander"!  I'm not exactly a "Bronco Newbie" either.  I've had this rig since 2004.  In 9,000mi, I will have put 100,000mi on this vehicle myself.  I take care of it and fix anything that is not up to ***** right away with the right stuff as it is my daily driver.  Tons of usefull info there.  Yes, the roof is chalky.  And yes, the fibers are showing.  I have a Home Depot about 2mi away from home here.  I'll look into your suggestions just like you said and get cracking on this before winter weather starts to set in out here in Colorado.  Bad thing is, right now at this time of year it likes to rain about every day or so around 3:00pm for a couple seconds and dump all the crap in the air all over your clean vehicle!  Hopefully there will be some rain free time I can get this done soon.  I wanted to roll it on because there is less chance with the overspray issues.  Thanks again!  I'll let you see how she comes out.  Brian

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Brian,

The reflective roofing material I used was "Peal and Seal"  peal the back and stick it on...and it's STUCK.  I found the best way to apply it was using a friend, ( I used my son...he is friendly) , pre cut the piece, and reroll it with the adhesive side out/backing still on.

peel off about 2 inches of the backing and get the piece positioned straight and true where you want it. Let the first 2 inches stick and then one guy pulls off the backing, (it's plastic) while the other rolls out the product and smooths it out with a thick towel. (thick because it gets hot real quick in the sun!!)  Did wonders in cooling the inside of The Beast.

I hear ya about the rain...In Fla. it rains every day in the summer. Only for about 2 minuets but every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day.

Good Luck

 

[BMAD01]

Thanks for this info Ron.  I'l get down to H/D and check out the Sealcrete and the Peel and Seal soon.  I can't do anything this weekend as I have other obligations, but it will be soon.  Thanks, Brian