Question about Freedom Top color

[Setec641A]

Are the Freedom Top panels painted black, or are they molded in that color, and painted white underneath? Just curious if the White Cap top is painted or otherwise. I was thinking about the White Cap package, since a black top in Phoenix is asking for swamp-a$$. I was thinking, maybe just strip the paint off the top and expose the white, then coat it with some clear coat or protectant...

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[Bandit’s Lair]

You’re going to want to paint it not just expose the fiberglass and clearcoat. It’ll last a lot longer with a good coating of automotive paint that can withstand the UV you get in Phoenix. It’ll look better too.

 

[Y-Guy]

Might try a "wrap" on top.
One guy here left about 2" around the edges on his black cheap, and painted the center white, standing next to you don't see it but if you're up a bit you see it, but I could understood why he painted it like that - we live in the Desert too so gets warm... I just take my top off.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

I have considered this since we spend a good deal of time in the southwest. Just wondering how well it will hold up. I am not current on the options, but I have seen old vinyl that cracks and the adhesive destroyed the paint underneath from baking in the sun.

 

[Y-Guy]

@LoneWolfUSMC that could be, I'd talk to a good shop, I'd see the vinyl as a temp move to see if it makes much difference before going through the paint prep and expense.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

I was also considering white or light gray truck bed liner. It would likely be the most durable and easy to touch up.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I was also considering white or light gray truck bed liner. It would likely be the most durable and easy to touch up.

Light Gray FTW!!!!! Because white is just basic.

 

[Setec641A]

I was also considering white or light gray truck bed liner. It would likely be the most durable and easy to touch up.

That's a great idea, too! I hadn't thought about bed liner. I did consider Koolseal, as an option.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

That's a great idea, too! I hadn't thought about bed liner. I did consider Koolseal, as an option.

https://www.monstaliner.com/forms/monstaliner_colors.htm

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Yea living in central Florida with a heart wave is more than enough, especially when your Jeep has a black Freedom Top. Oh it’s great to take the panels out, in the winter, but under the sun? My roof gets so hot the AC must run on MAX to cool down, or constantly on recycle with AC split between dash and floor, with handy vents open in the rear that once cool helps a lot. But touch the roof, or just sit up and you can feel the HEAT on your head. I do love the colors, Granite Chrystal Metallic and black. Does anyone have any before and after results with the foam panels for sound deadening? Would they help repel heat? But my last truck was a white Colorado an a local Line-X guy sprayed the bed with a bright white coating that looked fantastic, repelled heat and it took was good care of wash and brush to wash, or alcohol on deep stains. Maybe a coating on the center flat spot at least 2” in all around.

 

[SaiintNick]

I live in Southern Utah and have a black hardtop. Yes it's way hotter than my Sting Gray Wrangler was. Getting ceramic tint makes a huge difference and I believe Hot Heads help as well, but top still gets hot. Cools down quick once I roll windows down to let heat escape and then crank up the ac.

 

[azmojave]

Are the Freedom Top panels painted black, or are they molded in that color, and painted white underneath? Just curious if the White Cap top is painted or otherwise. I was thinking about the White Cap package, since a black top in Phoenix is asking for swamp-a$$. I was thinking, maybe just strip the paint off the top and expose the white, then coat it with some clear coat or protectant...

Hothead Headliners do the trick. No more fried brain
@Hothead Headliners

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Hothead Headliners do the trick. No more fried brain
@Hothead Headliners

I installed the Quadratec headliners last month. I can tell a difference, even though it isn’t into the hot part of summer yet. I mainly installed them for some sound and echo reduction. The uncovered edges of the tops still radiate heat when they sit in the sun. I consider this kind of like the same reason that even a well insulated cooler works better with a white lid than a black lid.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

The headliners work the best for thermal protection. I went with CoverKing as I thought they looked the best out of all of them I have seen out there. There are a few threads here about it. Anything you can do to build a bit of mass between you and the roof will help. Roof rack with solar panels are something I’m looking into as well. An outer coating like on RVs could help too, but I’m not sure how they’d look. That rubber infused stuff you can get at big box stores is what I’ve seen used on the cheap.

 

[Setec641A]

Thank you for all the suggestions!

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