Top Repairs Begin Today (w/pics)

[RunTMCfan]

Here in San Diego we are blessed with tons of fiberglass guys due to all the boats owned locally. Today I'm dropping off my top to a fiberglass guy that did some excellent fiberglass and paint work on my 1998 Mastercraft boat. I have included a few photos to show you guys the lame roof rack that the previous owner installed.

List of things to fix (off the top of my head):

Panel stress cracks (inside and out)
Remove roof rack then patch inside and out
Smooth exterior. I think this will have to be done in order to have a consistant texture, or lack of I should say.
Remove all the little brackets and screws that are not stock
Paint the inside and outside as close to stock as possible.
Since the top is getting painted I might as well replace the built in lights and install theam after the paint.
I have new gaskets waiting to go on. Can't wait to get it back.

Any other recommendations?

[IGOR]

That looks like a pretty good to to begin with - looks like a double wall?

- one thing I would check is that the nuts that hold the top are not loose anywhere - now is the time to get all the nuts exactly where you want them - and make sure they have good threads and are secure!

BobbyK had some really good pics of his restoration of his top on his photo page...

[hotrodhomi]

what were you quoted for price?

[bouncytruck]

Looks like a single wall to me. Double wall tops don't have dome lights.

All those stress cracks all look very typical. My '72 has many of the same cracks along the seams and I took the top off for the first time last summer.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Looks alot like mine also, except you are working on yours

[RunTMCfan]

Well...

Just got back. Things did not go as planned. I showed my guy what I wanted and before he even finalized the quote he was reffering me to a body/paint guy we both know. I like the work the fiberglass guy does better but with him and an assistant as his only crew, he was gonna really charge me up the ying yang.

So next Monday I'm dropping the top off to the body guy. The fiberglass guy quoted $2500!!!!!!! The body shop quoted $1100.

I talked with the body and paint guy about a good paint job and the quote was $6k after a full inspection. Back in 1996 I had what many called a perfect paint job and it cost $2500 and took a month to get done. Prices have really gone up. The paint guy uses PPG paint. He says it's some of the best paint. It better be for $6 G-Wizzerz.

[RunTMCfan]

Oh yeah,

The fiberglass guy said to me "you might just want to buy a new one" I almost laughed. I tried explaining to him what I had here. One, the top is in decent shape for the year, and two, good luck finding a better one. I know what my 70' top looked like. The old owner on that one siliconed in a cheesy sunroof and crank up vent.

[Musclerodz]

If $6K includes the inside and bottom of the tub, that is cheap, relatively speaking. Just the cost of materials anymore is rediculous.

Mike

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by RunTMCfan

The fiberglass guy quoted $2500!!!!!!! The body shop quoted $1100.

[RunTMCfan]

I never thought I would be into this Blazer so much. $6k for paint! For now my paint will have to do.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by RunTMCfan

I never thought I would be into this Blazer so much. $6k for paint! For now my paint will have to do.

My estimates started at $2500 and go all the way up to $12500

[Medicanman71]

OMG 6k for paint, i guess i'm not shocked... but i guess i'll never be getting a nice paint job... so i guess my truck will never be painted... i mean, i'm not going to pay for a ****ty job, and if i pay for a nice one, i'll be paying so much i'll never want to use the truck in fear of ****ing the paint up, and what good is that

[RunTMCfan]

My buddy did an off white rustoleum paint job on his FJ-40. It looked pretty sweet. I have photos of it somewhere.

[671blazer]

my neighbor had his 71 camaro painted at MAACO a few years ago. He did all the body work himself, and took just the shell over to them. Turned out real nice. real glossy, not fading, no runs real smooth too. I mean if he didnt tell me i would assume he had it done a "real" paint shop. he did tell me that he had it done without the "sealer" not shure what that means but i am tempted to take my k5 over there. cost him 599.00 and about 175.00 in quality body work materials.

[hotrodhomi]

Maaco can spray paint just like everyone else the real hard part is the prep work. Good prep work can make a bad painter look good, but bad prep work can make the best painters look like sht.

[72CSTC5]

Runtmcfan, well I can save you a ton of money if you would like. I can lead you through the proper steps on how to repair your top. The majority of the labor you could do yourself if you have some tools. For example air compresor, da sander, and a block. You could save a ton of money and I could walk you through it. It is not as difficult as you would think. If interested let me know and I will give you a list of materials that you would need.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

Runtmcfan, well I can save you a ton of money if you would like. I can lead you through the proper steps on how to repair your top. The majority of the labor you could do yourself if you have some tools. For example air compresor, da sander, and a block. You could save a ton of money and I could walk you through it. It is not as difficult as you would think. If interested let me know and I will give you a list of materials that you would need.

Great offer! ^^^^^

Labor rates are a killer but as mentioned earlier, paint/materials cost's are nuts too.
Learn as you go, you'll be amazed at the money you'll save.

The paint on my green blazer was 4K in the end and I did 'ALL' the grunt work.
The materials alone were over a grand!

[RunTMCfan]

72CSTC5,

I'll take you up on that. I've got the tools.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by RunTMCfan

72CSTC5,

I'll take you up on that. I've got the tools.

If 72CSTC5 is doing a walk through with you keep it open on the board so we can all learn something. I've been talking about doing my top every summer for about the past 5 years but haven't done it yet. I repaired the hatch last summer, maybe this year I'll do the rest

[bouncytruck]

[RunTMCfan]

When you think about it, it makes total sense to do it myself. Summer is almost here. The top is coming off anyways for atleast 4mo. Why not spend the time and do it myself and take some pride in the finished job. I will take progress pics and post.

The money I save on the repairs I can spend on a custom Bikini Top...right?

Hey 72CSTC5...bring on the knowledge! I'm probably gonna pop the top off this weekend.

[72CSTC5]

Run and fellow board members, I can walk you guys through the procedures. I started an email to run and 671blazer but where would you guys like for me to post the repair steps. Everyone on here with just a little knowledge and "want" can repair their tops for little money.

[MikeS]

Whatever happened to the flow of knowledge from 72CSTC5 to the rest of us? It's summer (well it's hot here in VA anyway), my top is off, and I want to get this thing done.

[RunTMCfan]

I pulled the top off and havn't touched it since this thread started. I've been busy turning an old storage shed into the shop from hell. On the left side of my shop is a 19ft workbench. On the other side will be all my tools for woodworking and automotive.

I received the email about the repairs. I will send it to you.

[red71cheyenne]

I'm interested too, as mine needs repairs where it bolts to the bedsides. Its a double wall top as well. Thanks, Jeff.