Roof painting

[Phil_UK]

Hello,

This has probably been asked a million times before, but I would like some advice for painting the targa roof. Its a late one, with the black textured finish. If I give it to the body shop to get on with it, how are they going to deal with removing the old paint - i.e. won't most of the texture come off too! Will I end up with a mostly smooth roof with some bumps here and there that will look like paint faults?
I believe the early targa roofs where covered in a similar vinyl material that adorned some 70's saloon cars, I guess this could be an option if the paint side of things doesnt work.

 

[toddr124]

Been there and done that

My roof was multi shades of black. Therefore I had it repainted. They sanded the texture out and painted it a glossy black. Looked great for a few weeks until I put it in the front trunk a little wrong. The trunk lid rubbed the paint and left marks. Now all I see are the marks.

I would not have had it painted if I could start over.

 

[olerascal]

Scotchbrite....

...and solvent scrub to prep for paint adhesion.
PrepSol first to remove wax/silicones/etc.
Lacquer thinner if needed to remove rattle can paint.
Once more with PrepSol.
Seal with PPG DP90 if substrate is questionable.
Top coat with catalyzed 2 pack.
Add flattening agent.

 

[Steve Hoelscher]

Scotchbrite, yes....

I agree with the Scotchbrite pad. They are perfect for that application.

However, the above proceedure I am sure works great but, here is what I did.

Wipe the top with wax and grease remover. Work entire surface with Scotchbrite pad and a light spray of Greased Lightening. Rince thorughly with water. Spray with Rustoleum Satin Black. It looks better than OEM and sticks like glue.

 

[roadbox]

Steve,

Great advice! It sounds like this might not be a bad proceedure for the engine lid as well, yes?

John O.

 

[Black-Tooth]

Welp... I'm a bit less sophisticated...

A bit of lacquer thinner after light sanding, if any... and then Duplicolor Trim Black. It'll last a good year or two and then I hit it again for another fresh look.

Nothing looks better though, in MY humble opinion, than a roof in BODY color. BUT... nothing is harder to CARE FOR than a roof in body color!

HA!

Doing a roof in body color will require sanding down the pebble finish and then probably a light coat of Bondo to fill any (many?) imperfections. Then prime and spray... just like any other body part.

As far a engine covers go, same story, same preferences!

 

[Phil_UK]

Thank you for all your helpful replies. Getting some Scotchbrite pads sounds like a good plan.

I don't think going body colour is a good idea - my car is Mica Blue which is difficult to match, probably even more so since new paint has to be the water based type these days.

Tony - I think the low care option sounds good - mine has managed to pick up some long - but not deep scratches, I don't want to have to worry much about stowing it - the roof will never come off in that case!

 

[Steve Hoelscher]

Steve,

Great advice! It sounds like this might not be a bad proceedure for the engine lid as well, yes?
.

I have painted the plastic bumper cladding the exact same way and using the same paint. It looks great. I used the same paint on the engine lid but because its metal, I used more traditional methods. Degrease, block sand, hand sand, then wet sand with 400, dry and spray with the same Rustolium Satin Black. Again, works great/looks great.

 

[Black-Tooth]

Yep, exactly! nt

.

 

[kite63]

I painted the roof of my '83X with bed liner in a spray can fron the auto parts store. It's kinda tricky getting the texture even, but it's super durable. I throw keys on it, use it for a storage shelf, ect., not a scratch.

 

[Dayton Tom]

That stuff is great...

I did both boots that way...