Hey fellas...finding more things to add to my to-do list, and I figured refurbing the top on the Bronco should be on there too. Never done it before, so I don't know what product(s) should be used to reseal the cap, and I figured I'd fix a couple chips too...is this just typical fiberglass work? Also, when I was stripping the pine tar of the top, it pulled up the 'color'. Did the tops in '79 have color, or was this a doing by the PO, or is this due to age? It's kind of a yellowish/tan color, but when I got the pine tar off, it stripped it down to white. Is there a way to properly get the color back on? Is there a color code for this? Thanks for any help.

yea should just be fiberglass and I'm sure NPD or JBG has the seal kits...that should be all you need to do that......also I'm not sure on the color...I always assumed they came in a "parchment" colour....

Shoulda been more clear...I wasn't talking about the seals or weather stripping when I was talking about 'sealing' the top...what I meant were the 'seams' where the top comes together...and it looks like there is 'caulk' or something in those seams...what is that 'caulk'?

Could be a hardening caulk.......if you do do that get a caulk that bonds to anything...maybe a non hardening liquid nails or something.....the biggest issue you're gonna have is the polymers in the caulk bonding to the fiberglass.....also if /when you do do that...make sure u have a small cup of water and small soft sponge with you.....it's easiest to smooth the caulk with your fingertips initially (thus the water for dipping your fingers into) and once your done doing that with your fingertips, I'd use the sponge to pick up and unwanted residue on other parts of the top like when you clean it with your fingertips and it kinda squishes out the sides of ur finger)

I used tractor paint from TSC on my old bronco. Scuff it up and it worked and held up great. Cant remember the exact color but it was the white/cream top. Matched perfectly

Alright just to clarify what I meant before by 'caulking' in the 'seams' before is fixing this:



As you can see, my top is pretty discolored from pine tar I couldn't get off, or from stripping it down too far. Is there any particular paint you guys would recommend?

Probly anything would stick if ya rough it up first. As for the caulking I dont know.

I don't know Ben once the gel coat is gone the plastic starts to break down and flake off and I think any paint you put might start coming up?

Its fiber glass aint it?

TexasNomad said:

I don't know Ben once the gel coat is gone the plastic starts to break down and flake off and I think any paint you put might start coming up?

Click to expand...

Confused???? It's fiberglass, not plastic? I also didn't know they were gel coated, I figured it was just paint.

Id just rough it up and paint it with some spray paint.

1985 Ford F-150 said:

Id just rough it up and paint it with some spray paint.

Click to expand...

Yeah...that's what I was thinking about doing...Figured I'd go with duplicolor flat khaki.

That would look good or maybe a tan.

1985 Ford F-150 said:

That would look good or maybe a tan.

Click to expand...

It pretty much is...maybe a little darker.

Oh ok I see.

UTfball68 said:

Confused???? It's fiberglass, not plastic? I also didn't know they were gel coated, I figured it was just paint.

Click to expand...

Eerf! Sorry Fiberglas...
Pretty sure they were Gelled, I saw a show years back where they re gelled the top.. Made it look like new...

Gotcha...not really afraid of any fiberglass work...not much is needed. As for the gel coat, I guess I could see that. But I just took a look over on FSB, and a lot of guys are going what I said I was gonna do, just repaint with flat khaki.

Well do it then!
I know some guys will paint that Herculiner bed liner stuff on them.
Sticks to any thing and last for ages..Comes in a few colors to.

You need to talk to scott. I think he painted his top

Hot damn Tex...now there's an idea, tried reppin you, but I gotta spread it around.


On edit: Mark, I did talk to Scott, just looking for more ideas.