Refinishing fiberglass FJ40 roof?

[Brian in Oregon]

While I have my FJ40 hardtop removed and taken apart, I'd like to do something about the deteriorating finish of the fiberglass before it becomes a problem.

There are no cracks, but the finish is getting somewhat rough in places. It looks kind of "dried out" visually, if that makes any sense.

I've never messed around with fiberglass before. Can I just sand and repaint? Or put a sealer on it? Or?

 

[Texx]

There's usually enough material to easily sand and repaint. I'd use a D/A sander with 180 grit to do the largest part of it, and hand sand the curvature around the edges. Finish with 2 or more coats of a high build catalyzed primer, wet sand with 360, and paint away!

 

[AZkick-n40]

There's usually enough material to easily sand and repaint. I'd use a D/A sander with 180 grit to do the largest part of it, and hand sand the curvature around the edges. Finish with 2 or more coats of a high build catalyzed primer, wet sand with 360, and paint away!

What is a D/A sander?

Also, are you recommending an enamel paint?

Brian

 

[oldIron]

What is a D/A sander?

Duel Action - Air driven sander similar to Random orbital to minimize swirl marks while sanding.

 

[AZkick-n40]

Duel Action - Air driven sander similar to Random orbital to minimize swirl marks while sanding.

Thanks OldIron! I figured it was similar to random orbital, but wanted to be sure.

All I could think of was Double Action, but remembered this wasn't a gun forum.

Brian

 

[CruisinGA]

Look into using the marine stuff... gel coat and the associated products...

I think you'll end up with the best looking/performing finish that way... Gel-coat is also easily maintainable...

Find a good marine store and talk to someone there who has refinished boats. I did a bunch of research on this a few years ago when I was going to restore my hardtop, but never did it.

 

[honk]

I'd go visit West Marine or another boat specialized supply place where they have the right stuff and people with the right advise to see about gelcoat finishing products and methods, Brian.

Fiberglass shouldn't be just sanded and repainted. If the sanding goes through the thin outer gelcoat it will be digging into the fiberglass cloth and making it into a big unrecoverable mess. Very bad.

 

[largenfirm]

Tap Plastics, down on I-5, just south of the 217 interchange, sells all the supplies you'll need to gelcoat your top.

I had mine done, and it looks better than new.

Kirk

 

[Texx]

Unless your top is really really bad, you're never gonna get to the mat. Gel coat is fine, but a big pain in the ass, imo. I've never had a top that bad, and there's no problem maintaining a painted top. I've sanded a few dozen of em, never a problem with penetrating the mat...there's alot more material there than you think.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Perhaps just a good light pressure washing and a good repaint with a good topcoat? I just don't know a specific product that would be appropriate.

 

[albee]

Perhaps just a good light pressure washing and a good repaint with a good topcoat? I just don't know a specific product that would be appropriate.

Gel coat is a paint like product that protects the fiberglass. Before you use auto paint at least call a marine store and ask some questions.

 

[Texx]

If your top's already smooth, and without pitting, pressure wash and scotchbrite with red scotchbrite, seal w/dp50 and paint, unless you want to gel coat.

 

[brian]

what is dp50?

 

[Texx]

It's a duPont autobody product, available at your automotive paint store. Just a high quality sealer that will keep you from getting bleed through and other problems, like fish eye. Forgot to add, you want to prepsol the top prior to DP, it's a degreaser.