Painting a hightop

Thin bits of metal and bright blue light. Including glass & trim.

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Stirls
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Painting a hightop

Post by Stirls »

I'm thinking of painting the hightop on my van, its very dull and flat and has a tendency to go a bit green in the winter.
I was thinking of using RUST-OLEUM Combicolor and a small roller but I'm not sure if it would ok on the fiberglass roof, the van is pastel white so was going to use the cream shade.
Has anyone got any tips on painting hightops.
Cheers
1989 1.6td westfalia california hightop

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clift_d
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by clift_d »

We had ours repainted following repairs to the fibreglass, and work to deal with corrosion at the gutter. I believe it was sprayed with the same paint as the van body, so it might be worth approaching a body shop and get a quote for having it done by them. It's a reasonably big area, but it's also a very simple shape to spray with not much masking out required.
1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker Hightop syncro

Stirls
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by Stirls »

I've just been reading the "Paint Your Wagon - with a roller!" thread and it's answered all my questions, Brilliant thread :) and thanks for your reply clift_d
1989 1.6td westfalia california hightop

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clift_d
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by clift_d »

Just be aware that there are some who suggest that putting Rustoleum on makes it more onerous to get it prepped for spraying with other systems later? Perhaps something to do with the hardness of the paint after it has cured I believe? I don't know personally whether that's actually the case - someone who actually knows what they're talking about can comment :mrgreen: - but it's worth being aware perhaps..
1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker Hightop syncro

100leelee
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by 100leelee »

Just painted my high top with rustoleum with a roller..
Looks ok, some parts really great, most acceptable.
As always prep is everything.
Rollering is a bit of an art, the thread covers everything you need to know, can’t add any other tips to be honest.
Used around 3 litres of paint.
Only issue I had was pre mixing enough for one coat..
Doesn’t look as good as a spray finish, but once it hardens fully and is flatted and polished back will be more than good enough.
Used fibreglass filler to repair before painting.

Stirls
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by Stirls »

Thanks guys, it's gonna have to wait till spring now anyway.
1989 1.6td westfalia california hightop

kentishvanman
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by kentishvanman »

Hi,
Did my hightop with Combicolor. Brush or roller is fine but more important is the hand that is holding them. Practice, practice, practice.
Finish with the lightest pressure possible. Thin to suit the weather. A roller tends to flick paint elsewhere. Watch videos on canal boat painting.
Avenue Coatings (Slough) will mix a colour to suit. I decant mine into jam jars 'cos a full sealed jar will last longer than a half full can.
Hope that helps.
1987/8 Autosleeper, 1.9dg (Automatic) hightop. Petrol/ LPG

Stirls
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by Stirls »

Thanks for the tips kentishvanman :)
1989 1.6td westfalia california hightop

hightop ratty
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Re: Painting a hightop

Post by hightop ratty »

ours was done in same colour as bodywork about 6 years ago - still looking great (bodywork showing some signs - but high top almost blemish free - ours is a factory hightop so the lovely / fugly shape is disguised a bit by the 1 colour all over - saw it on a blue syncro donkeys years back, which helped seal the deal :-)

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