hardtop

[evilbemer]

Hey peeps any one out there got a colour coded hartop,cause i need some advise with mine.

[dips346]

whats wrong

[evilbemer]

Nothing wrong mate,i want to colour code it and need to no the best way of doing it

[dips346]

lot work needs doing as the prep work you cant use fuilds or rub with a machine for too long as the base of the top is fibraglass and you will see plenty of hardtops after a while with the paint bubbling or sinking ,its a lot of labour to do it right as i have done about 4 now

[evilbemer]

Where did you have yours done and how much for????

[dips346]

Where did you have yours done and how much for????

i do bodywork

[Gortour]

You want it sprayed, Dips is your man.

[evilbemer]

Ok how much and where do you live!!!!!!!!!

[dips346]

you have pm

[SilverShadow]

evil bemer, if yours is the original bmw hardtop with the vynl do you fancy doing a swap with mine??? mine is absolutly mint apart from the vynl starting to bubble on the sides? if you r going to strip yours it wont make a difference, as you will be taking the vynl off?

let me know what you think!

o yeah and dips is your man for doing this job!

[evilbemer]

I dont pick up the hardtop untill the 4 august from a guy in surrey.i bought off ebay last week i have no probs in swapping but untill i see it im not 100% sure what sort of condition its in,but your welcome to meet me there? pm me and i can give you the details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SilverShadow]

you have pm mate!

[motorsport]

Lot of hard work, well worth it though.
I peeled off the vinyl to reveal the green vinyl adhesive which is a pain to clean off. Took me an absolute age using a water steamer (safest and easiest option, avoid chemical strippers) to loosen it and a plastic spatula type tool to scrape it away once softened. Once you have removed the adhesive be careful as you flatten the fibreglass, as the hardtop is built around a metal honeycombed frame. You don't want to expose the metal frame as it will require a lot more filler primer to build up the surface ready for painting. Take off the rubbers first, including the rear screen seal, as they are really expensive to replace (main seal is Ԛ£200). Basically the process isn't that difficult just a lot of labour.
I would prepare it yourself as the bodyshop will then only have to build up the primer to a flat surface and paint it. If the honeycombed area is exposed too much then it may show through the paint when the hardtop gets a lot of heat/sun.
Get it done, well worth it.

Andy

[mineralblue]

That looks soooooo nice, is that an original roof stripped back I take it?

[evilbemer]

Cheers andy thats good info. Would any sort of water stripper do ie wallpaper steamer,and also how much did the body shop charge you to spray it up
cheers