[alfa] Hardtop painting

[alfacybersite <acs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dean, I agree with Tony Martie's suggestion of prepping the top 
yourself. Once again I'm working with limited knowledge - what the 
hardtop's details actually looks like and going on the basis it is 
fiberglass.

I would try to remove the seals if it can be done without damaging them. 
I gather the rest of the car is black and don't know if it came that way 
or you had it painted. In any event painting black on a car is like 
trying to paint a mirror. If the top is fiberglass and there are any 
irregularities, they won't look all that bad in the top's present white 
stage. They sure will once black and polished out - which leads to 
another problem.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but it is terribly difficult to paint 
any color (single stage or two stage with base and clear coat) and not 
at the very least need to polish it out - if not color sand and then polish.

Even if several layers of masking tape is applied to the various items 
left on - especially the perorated trim strip Tony made reference to - 
it will be difficult, though not impossible, to polish up to the edges 
without causing "issues" to the molding, etc.

Point being, even if you do the prep work yourself, you will still need 
a quality paint shop not to muck things up. If they can lay on the paint 
(and clear coat if you're going two stage) as smooth as the rest of the 
car without requiring sanding / polishing, then you're home free.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA
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