Just bought my first Jeep about a year ago and I am very rarely on here.
I have come to realize its IMPOSSIBLE to find an already dealer painted hard top.
I have placed 2 orders from 2 different vendors and they cancelled my order because they did not want to ship it.
From one Jeep owner to another, does anyone have a suggestion on where I can find a bright white hard top for my JK?
I currently have a black textured hardtop but I am super hesitant to paint since I don't know how that will turn out.
I have herd mixed results on painting a textured one and some shops won't do it. Find a painted one any color and have it painted. Perhaps other coatings other than paint. If you have the time and ability to sand off the texture you might get it painted.
First, there are so many more important things to be "desperate" about. Whether your top is painted or not really is kind of a small thing in the grand scheme of life.
Second, go visit a few auto body shops and get their opinion. LOTS of folks have had theirs painted. If the factory can do it, so can a decent shop.
I am not aware of anyone that ships prepainted tops. Logically, its a monumental waste of money since they are going to do the exact same thing that a local body shop will do... minus the huge shipping cost.
Email your insurance carrier and ask what shops are rated well by them. That's a good starting point.
My advice.
First, there are so many more important things to be "desperate" about. Whether your top is painted or not really is kind of a small thing in the grand scheme of life.
Haha, I read that and said the same thing.
We're gonna have a socialist/communist running for Presidential nomination in our great country, and some one is desperate about the color of a hard top, WTF? ullinghair::drinks:
I'm sure there's more but this was just a quick look. You might be able to find a cheaper one that's scratched or a different color and just have it repainted as well.
Wrapping a textured hard top may not work out that great. Maybe if you sand it smooth first. But if you put that much work into it, just paint it after sanding it smooth.
I would think you have some decent body shops around you. Take it to one and ask them how much to prep (sand it smooth) and paint the existing hard top. It is just painting a top, it isn't rocket science. A qualified shop should be able to do it fairly easy.
And I doubt a wrap will be able to color match. It could be white, but likely not the same shade of white. Funny, there are a lot of shades of white.
I like the distinct look of body color to the removable top color. Sure, matching looks good but then its kind of like having a regular SUV. But thats just my opinion.
I am assuming (and we all know how that goes) that these tops are fiberglass. If that is correct I don't understand why it cannot be painted like any Corvette or boat. Most likely it will need to be sanded to give the paint something to adhere to but again any body shop that is capable of painting a Corvette should not have any issues.
My 3 piece top is black on the outside and white inside so one of them must be paint.
The unpainted tops have a pebble finish. Not sure what they would look like if they were sanded and painted. If you can find a used painted top of any color you can then have it painted. Not sure what a paint shop will charge to paint it, even if you can find a shop to do it.
I had three local body shops turn down painting my TJ since there were no real body parts to replace (where they make more money). Finally found a local shop that is more into restoration and they did a great job.
Is this the look your going after? Note, this is a Chief and only ones I know of that came from the factory with white tops on non white body. (They also have white side stripes)
I wouldn't do a wrap. Cost is nearly the same on something that complex as paint, and it won't last nearly as long. Especially if you're in the south.
If price is a concern, honestly, if it here me, I'd just buy a hard top (pebble texture), get yourself a sander and sand it smooth which wouldn't be hard. Find yourself a good Maaco (contrary to popular belief there ARE good ones, especially if you do your own prep) and get it sprayed for a song. I've never done their base/clear, but their enamel is tank strong on a car I restored, and loved it to death.
Being in So Cal when I was looking for mine, I limited it to painted tops in a light color. I got lucky. On a 100+ day the black texture becomes an oven. A full roof rack with a solid floor would help and probably cost less than paint.
Again, and Im not sure you are listening or you don't want to listen. The factory ONLY sells painted tops with vehicles ORDERED with them. They DO NOT paint them and send them to dealers. It is safe to say there is not a dealer in this country with a colored top sitting in inventory... and as I stated above, they can NOT be ordered.
If you are in an accident and your dealer orders a top for replacement due to the accident, they receive an untextured top and paint or have it painted locally to them.
There are about 6 Chief colored JKU's in my city. Mine is the only one with a color matched top. It came as part of the Winter Edition. Other editions like Black Bear, Polar and others had a matching colored top as an OPTION, but not mandatory. You can have your dealer order a non-textured top and they can have it painted for you.
But the EASIET thing to do is have your current textured top, de-textured and color matched by a local shop. Easy Peasy.
I really do like the suggestion of finding a color matched top in your area and then having it resprayed the color you want. You could even sell your existing top to pay for the other one.
As mentioned above, just get a top that's painted any color and then have it repainted to the color you want. If you live in or near a larger city, the wrecker yards would be a good place to hunt down a painted top.
Update: I finally got it painted and super happy with it. I also find some bright white fenders on craigslist and slapped those on. My dream come true!
Also is it bad that I don't use it offroad? I feel like a poser not using the jeep for offriding. I bought because they look so damn cool.
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