which comes first, new top or new paint?

75coug · Post by **75coug** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:41 pm

The subject line says it all. I can see pros and cons each way.

Post by **negusm** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:59 pm

New paint.

Cause you don't want to replace the top again after the painter ruins it.

-Mike

n20capri · Post by **n20capri** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:38 pm

Hmm thats a tough one...I see where Mike is coming from but I'd say the opposite...Top first...you don't want to scratch the new paint while putting on the top...

75coug · Post by **75coug** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:44 pm

See what I mean? Pros and cons each way. Grrr. Whatever decision I make will be the wrong one.

Post by **negusm** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:48 pm

n20capri wrote:Hmm thats a tough one...I see where Mike is coming from but I'd say the oposite...Top first...you don't want to scratch the new paint while putting on the top...

I think there is far less a chance of that than ruining the top.

We've had 2 verts and two vinyl top cars in the family and the tops always get done after paint. The installers never scratched the paint.

*PLUS* (I just remembered), ask the painter but I think another BIG reason is that new tops often are very OILY. Popping open a new top throws crap all over the car and can cause major defects when it comes to paint.

Yep, do the top last.

-Mike

RARE-ASC · Post by **RARE-ASC** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:07 pm

I say 100% paint first and have an expert intall the top i have put 2 or 3 tops on a few verts i have had in the past and used the same guy with no issues. Plus no dust and bondo crap all over that new top and windows!

75coug · Post by **75coug** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:48 pm

All right, you guys talked me into it. Paint first. Thanks.

gregpro50 · Post by **gregpro50** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:59 am

My father in law had his '72 Cutlass convertible painted with a super expensive paint job. He then had the top put on and they scratched the paint and made two chips in it. He didnt want the chips filled so he had the quarter repainted. The color match on the quarter was a little off and it drove him nuts. Within a year the entire car was being repainted again....

I would have the top replaced first.

noascyet · Post by **noascyet** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:02 am

How did ASC do it? I'd imagine that they'd paint first and then put the top on...

ASCMCLRN · Post by **ASCMCLRN** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:27 am

How did this turn out? I know this was posted a few weeks ago but if by chance you still didnt do it my two cents are do the top. Just have it tucked under the tonneau cover therefore no paint gets on it lol jk. But honestly I look at it like this, costs. It costs more to paint over then replace the top so I'd rather chance the top then the paint.

Nick