Top Repairs Begin Today (w/pics)

[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.

[72CSTC5]

I offered help but no one seemed interested so I just let it die. If anyone is still interested let me know and I will make a post.

[MikeS]

I think it's pretty safe to say you've got some interested guys around here. If you write something up maybe it could go in a FAQ. I was thinking that when I do mine that instead of sanding smooth I would texture it. Thought of using a spray on bed liner with a Shutz gun. Any thoughts? I think BobbyK went that route. You out there Bobby?

[71RestoRod]

Originally Posted by MikeS

I think it's pretty safe to say you've got some interested guys around here. If you write something up maybe it could go in a FAQ. I was thinking that when I do mine that instead of sanding smooth I would texture it. Thought of using a spray on bed liner with a Shutz gun. Any thoughts? I think BobbyK went that route. You out there Bobby?

When I restored my top, I first had it media blasted (smooth), did the repairs, then used rocker shutz with a shutz gun for the texture. It came out looking exactly like stock.

[BobbyK]

Originally Posted by 71RestoRod

When I restored my top, I first had it media blasted (smooth), did the repairs, then used rocker shutz with a shutz gun for the texture. It came out looking exactly like stock.

How much was the media blast?
What exactly did they blast it with,baking soda?

Sweet blazer by the way

[71RestoRod]

Originally Posted by BobbyK

How much was the media blast?
What exactly did they blast it with,baking soda?

Sweet blazer by the way

BK,
Thanks for the props. I had it blasted quite a few years ago. At the time it cost me ~$600 to completely strip the body (underside as well) and the top. They used different media on the tub than what was used on the top. Seems like they used a walnut shell mix on the top. It worked really well, removing several layers of PO's paint w/o exposing the fibers. I don't know if the tops were gel coated or not, but it sure looked like it had been taken down to the gel coat.

btw... have followed your build up since the Blazer-Net days. It's been very inspirational over the years!

Resto

[72CSTC5]

Well I havent used a Shutz gun to texture an entire top but another thought would be to used texture spray from "SEMS". I have used it in the past to retexture bumpers and interior panels and works very well. Just a thought. One would have to do a cost comparison. I will write up some techniques and maybe some photos of my top having cracks repaired just as a demo since I am not going to reuse my top. Let me get rolling on this then and then post it all here for you guys so you can save yourself some money.

[red71cheyenne]

That would be great! Like I said, I'm in need of ways to repair the bottom where the bolts go in. Thanks, Jeff.

[72CSTC5]

Red, what is wrong with where the bolts go in?

[krue]

We could always use another FAQ.

[red71cheyenne]

Thre is a metal strip with welded nuts on it that the top bolts to the bedside with. It is all rusted and exposed as the fiberglass is broken and cracked down there. Need to figure out a way to replace the fiberglass and it still be structurally sound. The metal strip, I will just duplicate and re-install.

[71jimmy]

Originally Posted by red71cheyenne

Thre is a metal strip with welded nuts on it that the top bolts to the bedside with.

No welded nuts on strip. The strip is threaded!
(DISCLAIMER: This is neither an attempt to sell or buy!)

[EFI70Blazer]

Has anyone figured out a way to get rid of the sunken spots on the top? I was thinking of using expanding foam for filling cracks to get the top up close to where it should be. I also need to do some fiberglass work on my top and hatch. My hatch is totally missing the bottom corners and the metal pieces that are inside. My dad has a Blazer also, so i was thinking of using it as a pattern to get the shape right in the corners again and make some new plates out of metal.

[BobbyK]

Ya I used a Shutz gun to reproduce the textured finish on the top.
Used this stuff.It's a 2 part epoxy bedliner,white in color.


Sanded the top down 1st and made the needed repairs.





Then useing the Gator Gaurd and the Shutz gun,I sprayed the top.Covereage was a little thin and top require 2 coats but the finish came out pretty close to the factory finish.





After about a year,the Gator Gaurd started to yellow.So I then painted the top useing a marine grade deck paint.
This stuff.


The paint is thinned with this stuff so when it's brushed on it flows out nicely with no brush marks.


But here it is as it sit's now.

Here's a link to my post on the repainting of my top.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=133915


And here's a link to ALL the pic's I took while redoing my top.
http://public.fotki.com/blazbk/blaze...nting_factory/

[IGOR]

BobbyK -

You should open up a top repair business!

[71jimmy]

Never seen/heard of a Shutz gun. Anybody have info on them, pics, do you need an air compressor?

[BobbyK]

Originally Posted by 71jimmy

Never seen/heard of a Shutz gun. Anybody have info on them, pics, do you need an air compressor?

A shutz gun is just the real name for a undercoating spray gun.
This is a shutz gun.



Yes you need a compressor for it.

BobbyK,
That's how I want mine to look!
How much of the Gator Guard did you need? I used it last summer when I did my hatch but I put it on with a roller and it just didn't come out the way I'd hoped. Also, where did you get the Shutz gun?

I ended up useing 2 cans of the Gator Gaurd.
I borrowed the gun from a friend.
You can get them at any autobody supply store or off the net...I'm sure E-bay has them cheap.
You could also try Harbor Freight for a cheap one.

Very cool....I have a single wall that stock was white...then a black coat so now I have black and white so first question, whats the best way to strip back to stock and then second question if I apply the material you did how easy is it to paint over in a different color???

I'd sand it down if your going to spray it with the bedliner.

If you just want to try and strip the black off,try this stuff.
You can get it at Wal-Mart.(middle can,aircraft stripper)


The Gator Gaurd is real easy to paint over.Just make sure you use a paint product that's designed for fiberglass and outdoor use.
The reason I chose the boat deck paint is because it's made for fiberglass boat decks,which are constantly exposed to the sun and water.
I figured it would be ideal for my Blazer's top...so far it's held up great!

[EFI70Blazer]

Originally Posted by BobbyK

The Gator Gaurd is real easy to paint over.Just make sure you use a paint product that's designed for fiberglass and outdoor use.
The reason I chose the boat deck paint is because it's made for fiberglass boat decks,which are constantly exposed to the sun and water.
I figured it would be ideal for my Blazer's top...so far it's held up great!

Just curious how your paint is holding up? I plan on redoing my top this year and would only like to have to do this once. I may do a writeup on my hatch repair if it turns out good. So far i have seperated it at the seam beacause of the ill state it is in.

[BobbyK]

Well,it's been 3 years since I repainted it and 4 years since applying the Gator-Gaurd textured coating.
Here are 2 pic's I took today(4/7/08)

Still holding up well.I garage the truck in the winter but the top is out in the sun + rain all summer.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by IGOR

BobbyK -

You should open up a top repair business!

Where do I ship mine?

[BobbyK]

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

Where do I ship mine?

Next time you cross the border into Ontario I'd be happy to help you out.

Only catch is...you have to drive GQ up here

Not sure where you are in TN but I know it's only a short 12hr drive from Memphis to the southern tip of Ontario.

[RunTMCfan]

I would like to know more about the Schutz Gun. I looked it up on Google. I appears to be a gun that sprays bedliner type products.

Right???

[MikeS]

BobbyK,
That's how I want mine to look!
How much of the Gator Guard did you need? I used it last summer when I did my hatch but I put it on with a roller and it just didn't come out the way I'd hoped. Also, where did you get the Shutz gun?