What is the best way to strip and paint my top?

[72Blazerod]

Hi guys,

I have a 1972 Blazer with a single wall top that somebody painted black at some point. I would like to strip the old paint off and paint it back to white. Any suggestions as to how to strip it? What type of paint should I use to repaint it once it is stripped? I was thinking applyimg the paint with a roller to help keep the stock 'textured' look. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Rod

[Chevyman63]

We had my sons corvette media blasted. In my opinion, it is the best way to go. There may be cheaper ways, but blasting does a very thorough job.
Just my 2 cents.

[LUV2XCLR8]

There is also a product, forgive me I cannot remember the name, that you
use on it and just hose it off, it will leave the white and just remove black.

*VTBLAZER is the one who told me what/where to get it he may chime in.

[72Blazerod]

If somebody knows the name of that product, it sounds like the stuff I'm looking for. That sounds like if would make short work of my job. Thanks.

Rod

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by 72Blazerod

If somebody knows the name of that product, it sounds like the stuff I'm looking for. That sounds like if would make short work of my job. Thanks.

Rod

Your top was most likely black from the factory.

I believe the top is molded in white, then spayed black if that was the option chosen/offered.
Hence the white inside without any paint.

The product I told LUV about is a micro scrub, used for finish work and blending.
I used it on my top to clean and repaint, it left the original texture intact.

I imagine with enough elbow grease a guy could return a top to all white but I was going to paint it black again anyway so I just made sure it was clean.

It's a SEM product called 'scuff & clean' and comes as a paste.
Part # 38338

[72Blazerod]

Nope, mine was white originally, and then painted black. It was not black from the factory. I guess I'll have to sand the whole thing down unless I get the name of the stripper. Oh that souds dirty!!!

Rod

[72Blazerod]

BTW:?
How do I get my side windows out? Any special tricks?
Rod

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by 72Blazerod

I guess I'll have to sand the whole thing down unless I get the name of the stripper.

The micro scrub 'is' the stripper.

It will take the paint off but if yours is extra thick, you'll be at it awhile.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by 72Blazerod

BTW:?
How do I get my side windows out? Any special tricks?
Rod

You have to CUT them out and buy new gaskets, sorry

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

You have to CUT them out and buy new gaskets, sorry

No you don't.

Just lube em and work them out, reuse the old gasket if desired.

If the existing gasket is still flexable enough, it'll work no prob.

[LUV2XCLR8]

OIC, Well mine are hard a brittle, on all 3 of my tops, my bad, mine had to be cut

[72CSTC5]

Scuff and Clean is mostly used on bumper covers and blend panels to insure that panels are completely sanded. It is amazing if it stripped the paint on your top VT. You could also try to use Aircraft stripper "for fiberglass" there are two different types and then blast it off with a pressure washer. That may be easier and faster. Try just a small spot first.
Good luck

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

Scuff and Clean is mostly used on bumper covers and blend panels to insure that panels are completely sanded. It is amazing if it stripped the paint on your top VT. You could also try to use Aircraft stripper "for fiberglass" there are two different types and then blast it off with a pressure washer. That may be easier and faster. Try just a small spot first.
Good luck

Cool info, thanks.

The pics I posted show what it did for my top...kinda interesting that it worked so well.
I used it with a scotch brite pad, maybe that's what really took the paint off.

LUV, if they were brittle they needed changing anyway, no worries.

[VinceY]

Originally Posted by 72Blazerod

Hi guys,

I was thinking applyimg the paint with a roller to help keep the stock 'textured' look. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Rod

I had rock guard sparyed on my top before the white was sprayed on, as the original texture was very spotty. The rock guard used was black and the white covered it well. Worked out pretty good as I have had a lot of good feedback. Of course, I wish I lived somewhere warm where I never needed the top but.....
Rock guard works nicely on the bottom of the truck too where the rocks tend to bounce off it.

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by VinceY

I had rock guard sparyed on my top before the white was sprayed on, as the original texture was very spotty. The rock guard used was black and the white covered it well. Worked out pretty good as I have had a lot of good feedback. Of course, I wish I lived somewhere warm where I never needed the top but.....
Rock guard works nicely on the bottom of the truck too where the rocks tend to bounce off it.

What is this "Rock guard" you speak of? Link?

Later,
Buddy

[Green Monster]

My dad and I painted the top on his 78 Bronco XLT black. It was black from the factory but the white top was showing through in some areas.

We used satin black Rustolium and applied it with a roller since the top had a texture to it. It soaked right in. We used a foam brush for the detail work around the windows. It came out beautiful. I'm a picky SOB too. It worked, looked great, and held up well. I highly recommend it.

If I ever put my top back on, I will paint it first with a roller. When washing the top a chalky residue would rinse from the top onto my Blazer when I had the top on. I'm not sure if that was dried powder from the paint or the actual top breaking down.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Off Topic, Well I washed mine Friday and everytime I went over the top with
soap the water would turn white? It has not appeared to loose it's color, but
it is pretty brite now, wonder if the PO could have bleached it at some point?

[Green Monster]

Same thing here. The water looked like 1% milk when washing the top. I think the paint is pretty much gone. You can't really tell because the top and the paint are both white. Nice Blazer BTW.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Green Monster

The water looked like 1% milk when washing the top.

Exactly, oh well I guess the top just needs to come off

[Green Monster]

Yup, that's the best way to handle it. I will paint my top before it goes back on, if it ever does go back on. I'm not into the expossed fiberglass look.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Green Monster

I'm not into the expossed fiberglass look.

A-MEN

[pound41]

The milky water is the paint breaking down. These tops are to some extent porious. some places take more paint than others. The last time I panted my top was ten plus years ago. Acyrlic enamel laid on heavy. Still slick and shiny on most of the sides Very dry on top That is why the black factory tops fade to white. None of these tops Black or white were very shiny at all when brand new

[RED72blazer]

my top bleeds too.

[Green Monster]

Originally Posted by pound41

The milky water is the paint breaking down. These tops are to some extent porious. some places take more paint than others. The last time I panted my top was ten plus years ago. Acyrlic enamel laid on heavy. Still slick and shiny on most of the sides Very dry on top That is why the black factory tops fade to white. None of these tops Black or white were very shiny at all when brand new

I don't care for the shiny top look with the textured top. It just screams, "I'M PAINTED!" and does not look that nice. You can't see yourself in it, what was the point? Now you all you can see is the texture of the top glistening in your face. It just detracts from the Blazer itself. Satin finish makes the top look brand new and is not overpowering.