Paint the inside of a hard top?

[chuckfinley79]

Probably a silly question but has anyone ever painted the inside of a hard top? Is there any kind of finish that needs sanded off or just prime and paint it?

I’ve seen some of the DIY dash painting threads and it’s got me thinking...

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[FL Handle Guy]

I did the inside of my old LJ top, I cleaned it with denatured alcohol, scrubbed it with scouring pad, cleaned it again and painted it with krylon fusion. Prep is crucial but its not hard at all.

I had that jeep for 5 years and never had a problem with that paint peeping or coming off.

 

[MAustin]

I just finished this up today. I used alcohol wipes to clean and prep. I also removed the latches and did a lot of taping off. It sucks up a lot of paint. Each freedom panel took a full can each and the back took three cans. It looks really good, but we’ll see how it holds up.

 

[Gatorac]

That looks really good. I'm going to do that prior to installing the HotHeads panels that just arrived. Just going to paint the areas the panels don't cover.

 

[unsocbl]

I've done this with each of my last 3 Wrangler's. It gives it a finished look that I like much better. It does make it much darker inside though so be ready for that!
As for process, I lightly sand with 400 grit sandpaper, clean with acetone, let dry and paint. On the last one I used a primer for the first coat (seemed like the flat black I used previously scratched too easily).

 

[jurfie]

Moar pics, @MAustin !!!

 

[BigRed97]

How does the black paint effect inside temps?

Although my hard top is only on in the winter months so I guess it wouldn't be a problem

 

[MAustin]

Moar pics, @MAustin !!!

 

[MAustin]

How does the black paint effect inside temps?

Although my hard top is only on in the winter months so I guess it wouldn't be a problem

I haven’t noticed a difference at all, and I’m in South Georgia where it’s plenty hot.

 

[The Crusader]

That looks great. What paint did you use? I haven't even ordered my Gladiator yet (Sarge Green), but I want to start with this and then make some roof insulation panels to fit and wrap them with OCP camo fabric. Walnut Katzkin leather seats with bone colored stitching.

 

[MAustin]

That looks great. What paint did you use? I haven't even ordered my Gladiator yet (Sarge Green), but I want to start with this and then make some roof insulation panels to fit and wrap them with OCP camo fabric. Walnut Katzkin leather seats with bone colored stitching.

I used Krylon Fusion Flat Black. The plastic sucks up a lot of paint. It took several more cans than I expected. I don't remember exactly how many, but it was around seven or eight I think. Six months later, still no sign of wear.

 

[raypla]

Going to paint the inside of my hard top before I swap out the soft top here soon. Would like to see some gloss, semi gloss, matte finishes to see what I like best, should I bother priming or just grab a few more cans of color? Thinking bout going for sting gray, maybe a shade darker. Show me what you’ve done folks
For reference

 

[MAustin]

I went with flat black for mine. No primer, but the white soaked up a ton of paint. I can’t remember how many cans it took, but it was more than I expected. A little over a year later, it’s still holding up great.

Going to paint the inside of my hard top before I swap out the soft top here soon. Would like to see some gloss, semi gloss, matte finishes to see what I like best, should I bother priming or just grab a few more cans of color? Thinking bout going for sting gray, maybe a shade darker. Show me what you’ve done folks
For reference

 

[The Crusader]

Going to paint the inside of my hard top before I swap out the soft top here soon. Would like to see some gloss, semi gloss, matte finishes to see what I like best, should I bother priming or just grab a few more cans of color? Thinking bout going for sting gray, maybe a shade darker. Show me what you’ve done folks
For reference

With black seats, I would consider a dark gray. That's a lot of black when you put the doors on. Or you can make your own insulated panels and brighten up your black roof that way.

https://www.joann.com/wide-cotton-fabric-space-blender-gray/18212993.html

https://www.joann.com/graffiti-texture-keepsake-calico-cotton-fabric/zprd_16327892a.html

https://www.joann.com/scattered-paisley-premium-cotton-fabric/zprd_16478661a.html

 

[blau iii]

I just did mine before putting in the hot heads headliner. went through 7 cans of paint, used mineral spirits to wipe it down before painting. Left it sit in the sun for a few days "baking" to help get rid of the smell. I'm about a month out and can still faintly smell the paint but it's not bad. The taping was the worst part!

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