Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

[Guest]

For anyone who has successfully changed the paint colour on their hardtops, how is the rear window masked during the prep process, or did anyone have to remove the rear window of their hard top before painting?

I noticed the seal is very tight, so this looks like some tricky work to ensure there is no overspray or the original colour still showing after the paint change.

Any experiences/advice would be appreciated.

thanks....Mark

[SixPac]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

When we had a hardtop painted, the paint shop called in a glass company. They removed the rear window. In fact, the porthole windows and the headliner were removed. The top was pretty well stripped down prior to painting.

[berogersjr]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

Mark,

Here's a thread from last year when I had my TR hardtop painted white:

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...578#post305578

As you read down through there, you'll find that they did they remove the back glass, and, unfortunately, a small piece of the rubber surrounding the glass actually tore during the removal.

At first they told me they'd have to replace the entire back glass assembly, but then they found a local auto glass guy to replace the seal around it. Cost them $300.00. It looks OK, but it leaves a little gap in there. The also almost broke the glass getting it back in. Needless to say, go to a reputable body/paint shop to have this done.

-bobby

[Guest]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

Bobby and Charlie.... thanks for the advice. (Bobby, your details are extremely helpful, and are bang - on)

My full story - I really wanted a Whisper White top, and I know a very reputable body shop manager at my local Ford dealer, so BlueBird went in early today to the shop to allow the body shop manager to do a detailed assessment to paint the roof. That's when his concern came about the rear window - he was very confident with handling the portholes and inner trim challenges, but he said the rear window has got to come out. By this time, I almost had the entire body shop clustered around the car, and his glass expert really was concerned about the trim around the back window and how to restore a good seal.

So the "colour conversion" project is on indefinite hold.

[Leroy]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

For what the Ford dealer would charge to do all that, you would probably be better off getting one off of Ebay either a Wisper White or a Perfomance White. Maybe do a Hard Top Relay? Leroy

[berogersjr]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

Mark, if I had it to do over again, I'd follow Leroy's advice....better to get one off eBay or from someone on here on the Nest (maybe Rick, who can better get one, paint it, and get parts for them if needed). I'm still not 100% satisfied with the way mine turned out, but it'll do for daily driving.

[SixPac]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

I paid $531 total.

[Leroy]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

After looking at the rear window on my car, I can't see what the big deal is masking off the rear window or the port holes. I would be tempted to leave the top on the car too to protect the inside from overspray. But I'm not a painter, maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture? Leroy

[2FAST4U]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

For anyone who has successfully changed the paint colour on their hardtops, how is the rear window masked during the prep process, or did anyone have to remove the rear window of their hard top before painting?
I noticed the seal is very tight, so this looks like some tricky work to ensure there is no overspray or the original colour still showing after the paint change.
Any experiences/advice would be appreciated.
thanks....Mark

Mark, do like I did...sell your current top and buy another one in the color you'd like...
Claude. :sun:

[Black Bird]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

When body shop repainted my top Tbird blue to match my interrior they took out the back window, porttholes and the inside lining. Knowing that I show my car, they said they would be able to get all the edges better so that the orginal paint would not be seen. They prerferred it not be on the car and so did not leave the car.
I was very satisfied with the job and it cost me $200,000. 00. No just kidding,
cost $500, and had it done in a week. Bunny Lou

[Guest]

Re: Painting Hard Tops - Protecting the Rear Window

Thank you to everyone for their feedback. Bunny Lou and Charlie, I think you both got a darn good deal considering what work was done to prep your roof. It certainly wouldn't be around $500 up here in my neck of the woods, even considering the adjustment from US dollars to Canadian.

I think I will just continue my scan for a white roof, and go from there. My current roof really is perfect (in condition), so at this time, I don't want to mess with it.... maybe someone out there is screaming for a TBird Blue roof !! and will trade with me????

Again, thank you everyone - your views and advice truly define what makes this forum so superb.

P.S. I still have the "chroming" job underway, so not all is lost !!!