75 Hard top refurb.

[eighteenninetytwo]

I am cleaning up the hard top prior to be placed back on the 75 when it comes back from bodyshop. I have new shell to truck seals all around. Do those who have new paintwork add any rubber under the shell sides or do the seals do the job properly and prevent contact between the shell and the bed rails and any damage of the paintwork there?

[68Timber]

I had a K5 that my parents bought new and never took the top off. Of course I did as soon as they gave it to me when they were done with it. The seals protected the paint well, the only scars came from mishandling the top taking it on and off in a hurry with buddies that didn't care nearly as much as I did.

That was a half-cab top. They are fairly heavy and yours will of course be worse. Personally, I'd be more concerned about installing it before the paint has cured well enough, but it may not be a concern. I don't know, I've never heard anyone say if you should leave the top off X amount of time after a paint job. I'd certainly see what the painter thinks.