Hardtop Repair Questions - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Mattism78 · 06-30-2007, 07:12 AM

I finally scored a KILLER deal on a hardtop. I've been checking the local Jeep forums, and various other sites. I just so happened to check ebay the other day, and found a guy selling a top that had been on his Tj when it was put on it's side. The guy had since sold the Jeep and just wanted to part with the top. When I first looked at ebay it was at $115, or something silly. I immediately bid, and was high bidder. I contacted the guy through ebay since he was about an hour away from me. He explained what had happened and told me he'd be willing to end the auction early. I ended up getting the top for $300:2thumbsup:

The top is actually in great shape considering what happened. All glass is intact, there's just a couple of cracks on the rear driver's side. The top is also tan, which I plan on changing to black. Is there a certain type of fiberglass resin that I should use? I used to work with fiberglass a bit while building airplanes so I'm somewhat familiar with the technique. I just wanted to know if people recommended one brand/type vs another. My brother seems to think I should mat the inside which I'm not too fond of the idea. It's a stress crack on a seam. I can push it back together 98% by hand. I figure if I spread a good thick resin in the crack and then apply pressure until drying would work. Then all I would have to do is bondo the surface a bit to get it perfect. I'm also open for suggestions as to what brand/type of paint to use.

I'm open for ideas though. Here's some pics...

Shot that was on ebay:

Little Jeep · 06-30-2007, 07:49 AM

I don't know anything about repairing that top. People paint/repair them all the time. However, $300 is a killer deal. I sold one like that (spice color) for $900.00 about 2 years ago. That is a pre 2003 top (vented) so it is good to go on pre and post 2003 TJ.

Old Scout · 06-30-2007, 08:10 AM

Go to your local boat supply and get some West Systems.

txapacheguy · 06-30-2007, 10:04 AM

I agree that the west systems stuff is a great product for the price. I would really like to know how the hell that jeep came to be resting on its side like that on the middle of a perfectly level street.

Mattism78 · 06-30-2007, 11:23 AM

He told me he let a friend drive it, and he put it on it's side. Ironically enough the friend that wrecked it later went on to buy it, and didn't want the top.

06-30-2007, 07:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mattism78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Member # 49042 Posts: 6	Hardtop Repair Questions I finally scored a KILLER deal on a hardtop. I've been checking the local Jeep forums, and various other sites. I just so happened to check ebay the other day, and found a guy selling a top that had been on his Tj when it was put on it's side. The guy had since sold the Jeep and just wanted to part with the top. When I first looked at ebay it was at $115, or something silly. I immediately bid, and was high bidder. I contacted the guy through ebay since he was about an hour away from me. He explained what had happened and told me he'd be willing to end the auction early. I ended up getting the top for $300:2thumbsup: The top is actually in great shape considering what happened. All glass is intact, there's just a couple of cracks on the rear driver's side. The top is also tan, which I plan on changing to black. Is there a certain type of fiberglass resin that I should use? I used to work with fiberglass a bit while building airplanes so I'm somewhat familiar with the technique. I just wanted to know if people recommended one brand/type vs another. My brother seems to think I should mat the inside which I'm not too fond of the idea. It's a stress crack on a seam. I can push it back together 98% by hand. I figure if I spread a good thick resin in the crack and then apply pressure until drying would work. Then all I would have to do is bondo the surface a bit to get it perfect. I'm also open for suggestions as to what brand/type of paint to use. I'm open for ideas though. Here's some pics... Shot that was on ebay:

06-30-2007, 08:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
Old Scout IH/Rover Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 17 Location: Aptos,Ca Posts: 13,401	Go to your local boat supply and get some West Systems. __________________ I like beer. On occasion, I will even drink beer to celebrate a major event such as the fall of communism or the fact that the refrigerator is still working." BUY MY BOAT http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/misc-...e-history.html

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06-30-2007, 07:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Little Jeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 58117 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,414	I don't know anything about repairing that top. People paint/repair them all the time. However, $300 is a killer deal. I sold one like that (spice color) for $900.00 about 2 years ago. That is a pre 2003 top (vented) so it is good to go on pre and post 2003 TJ.

06-30-2007, 10:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
txapacheguy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Member # 81092 Posts: 143	I agree that the west systems stuff is a great product for the price. I would really like to know how the hell that jeep came to be resting on its side like that on the middle of a perfectly level street.

06-30-2007, 11:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mattism78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Member # 49042 Posts: 6	He told me he let a friend drive it, and he put it on it's side. Ironically enough the friend that wrecked it later went on to buy it, and didn't want the top.