Anybody had their hardtop painted?

[berogersjr]

Hi all,

I wanted a white hardtop to go on my 02 Torch Red, and after numerous lost auctions and so forth, I decided to just bite the bullit and have the top painted. So, as painful as cutting off one of my own arms, I took the hardtop into the local paint shop (yes, I did shop around a LOT, and got many opinions, read testimonials, looked at previous work, etc., before finding the right shop).

I did give them the correct paint code for the Performance White tops that came with the red, yellow, blue, and black cars (White cars had a different color white, which is Whisper White, I've read), but they could not match it (it has no 2-digit paint code), so we went with the W5 code, the same as the Whisper White cars. I think it'll still look OK.

It's been in the shop 2 weeks now (waiting on them to get the time to do it - but that's OK, I don't want them rushing the paint job!), and I should be getting it back Friday.

Has anyone else had this done, and if so, what were your results?

Thanks,
Bobby

02 Premium Torch Red (with a previous Red top!), all-black interior

[Steve Legel]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

My car originally was yellow with black hard top. The dealer couldn't sell the car with that color combination. I got a deal on the car, had the top painted to match...been just fine.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

I did give them the correct paint code for the Performance White tops that came with the red, yellow, blue, and black cars (White cars had a different color white, which is Whisper White, I've read), but they could not match it (it has no 2-digit paint code), so we went with the W5 code, the same as the Whisper White cars. I think it'll still look OK.

I'm sure it will look great! As to paint codes, the code for Ford's Whisper White is W5 as you mentioned. The code for Ford's Performance White is WT.

[Will]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

Are you a fan of the Crimson Tide?

[My Raven]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

Bobby, I had a torch red painted Bronze and picked it up last week. I will ask Elle to post the pic. The only problems were the hardtop trim around the bottom edges and around the windows: It is glued on and not attached by screws. This meant I could possibly be facing replacing those if they didn't come of easily. The replacement cost was astronomical for those trim pieces: Over $350 I believe. It quickly became apparent that to remove all the parts and trim and paint was going to be cost prohibitive.

So, we painted it with those attached. The only other problem was the portholes: Removal was going to be labor intensive so we taped those. On the bottom of the porthole you can see a small amount of torch red paint but you have to be on the ground looking up to see it. They removed the interior cover trim and painted the back interior so it would match the exterior.

The entire job was $600: They worked on it at their leisure which gave me a price break and I am a long-term customer who has sent them a lot of business. It was with the shop for about 2 and half weeks. I am pleased with the result: My body shop was concerned about paint spidering with the flex of the top. If that happens they said they will repaint it.

Good Luck ... Let us know how it goes for you.

[berogersjr]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

Are you a fan of the Crimson Tide?

Yep, and it's a happy coincidence that the 'bird will look GREAT at the games!! Seriously, the main reason I wanted it white was to give it more of a nostalgic look, kind of a throwback to the 55-57 'birds. I am also adding a couple of touches of chrome (hood scoop bezel, taillight covers) towards that end.

[joe166]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

I picked up a gray hardtop and had it painted black. It looks fine. They removed the portholes and replaced them but left the side trim on. One little flaw but I wasn't going to complain too much because I paid very little for the top and about $300 for the paint job. Now I can change my look with either the VMG top or Black or the soft top. I like the change of pace.

[berogersjr]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

Bobby, I had a torch red painted Bronze and picked it up last week. I will ask Elle to post the pic. The only problems were the hardtop trim around the bottom edges and around the windows: It is glued on and not attached by screws. This meant I could possibly be facing replacing those if they didn't come of easily. The replacement cost was astronomical for those trim pieces: Over $350 I believe. It quickly became apparent that to remove all the parts and trim and paint was going to be cost prohibitive.

So, we painted it with those attached. The only other problem was the portholes: Removal was going to be labor intensive so we taped those. On the bottom of the porthole you can see a small amount of torch red paint but you have to be on the ground looking up to see it. They removed the interior cover trim and painted the back interior so it would match the exterior.

The entire job was $600: They worked on it at their leisure which gave me a price break and I am a long-term customer who has sent them a lot of business. It was with the shop for about 2 and half weeks. I am pleased with the result: My body shop was concerned about paint spidering with the flex of the top. If that happens they said they will repaint it.

Good Luck ... Let us know how it goes for you.

Thanks for the info and advice. You've actually pointed out one problem we've already encountered - the back window. They determined that they did not need to remove the portholes (they did a good job of taping them up), but they did have to remove the back glass. A small piece of the rubber surrounding the glass actually tore during the removal. They were very apologetic, and had a body shop repair it...I went over to inspect it and I can't even tell it was torn. The trim looks good as well. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed, though. I'll know Friday, I guess!

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

Bobby,

Welcome to TBN! I don't have much to add to this thread, just wanted to welcome you. My sister and her family lives in the Huntsville area (Owens Crossroads). We get out that way every once in awhile. It is a pretty part of the country.

[Brad]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

if you're looking for nostalgic once you have the white hardtop you're going to need the wide whitewalls.

[berogersjr]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

if you're looking for nostalgic once you have the white hardtop you're going to need the wide whitewalls.

Yeah, I thought about that, as well. Likeley go with those too!

[islandtime]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

Here is the photo Joe asked me to post of his "new" bronze top.

[berogersjr]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

Here is the photo Joe asked me to post of his "new" bronze top.

Looks great! Hope mine turns out lookin' that good!

[Leroy]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

MYRAVEN, Wow! That Bronze top looks GREAT on your black Bird. I've got a MSG on my black 04 and I love the contrast. I though I wanted a black top and had every intention of getting the MSG one painted black when I bought it, but now that I've had it on the car, everyone that sees it says leave it Grey. SWEET! Leroy

[02TBIRD]

Re: Anybody had their hardtop painted?

-That's a great looking combo!!!!

See you at the Track!
02TBird