painted ttops [Archive] - Toyota MR2 Message Board

painted ttops [Archive] - Toyota MR2 Message Board Toyota MR2 Message Board > Toyota MR2 Generations > MK 2 MR2 - SW20 > MK2 Body Kits and Exterior Modifications > painted ttops PDA

View Full Version : painted ttops

EJ80801-21-2011, 04:26 AMany of you guys have painted ttops if so what kind of paint did you guys use and how?

i like the hardtop look but at the sametime it would be great to have it off since im in hawaii :D always paradise lol

post pics if u can thanks?? white_mr201-21-2011, 05:20 AMI was going for the same thing. I think paint on glass would scratch really easy. I was thinking about covering the t-tops in vinyl. Not sure if that would work though. ScotianMR201-21-2011, 09:40 AMIf you could get a vinyl match that would be the best bet. ShackC01-21-2011, 10:32 AMSomeone might be able to use a sand blaster, or glass etching compound to give the paint something to adhere to alot better. I agree with the vinyl though, if you can find the colour. white_mr201-21-2011, 11:59 AMI think the vinyl cover will work but I don't know anyone that has it or does that kind of stuff. ShackC01-21-2011, 12:05 PMThat Silver in your avatar looks like you should be able to find the vinyl. Bmer8901-21-2011, 12:41 PMThere was paint on my tops when I bought the car. I stripped it off and bought a set of shades... But if you're dead set on painting them, all you need is a rattle can of enamel paint. Vinyl is a good idea too. traintech8601-21-2011, 05:16 PMI can't say I would like how painted T-Tops would look. Are you trying to avoid sunlight or do you want it to look more like a hard top?I have never worked with vinyl but it seems like a good option that's reversable. GL white_mr201-21-2011, 05:34 PMI have never worked with pieces of vinyl that big either. It just looks like a better option than paint. I'd like to make my 2 look like a hard top. white_mr201-21-2011, 05:45 PMA Guy on another site wrapped almost his whole car in matte black vinyl. Looks great! RePete01-21-2011, 07:30 PMVinyl is a good idea, a bit pricey but the quality is good and it's removeable. I believe this dude used paint though.

http://www3.telus.net/ssweb/PaintedTs.jpg white_mr201-21-2011, 07:49 PMI would probably need alot of vinyl. I'm sure I would screw it up. mr.asian.m201-21-2011, 08:35 PMVinyl is a good idea, a bit pricey but the quality is good and it's removeable. I believe this dude used paint though.

http://www3.telus.net/ssweb/PaintedTs.jpg

i really like how this look. traintech8601-21-2011, 08:51 PMIt does look pretty slick... but i like the glass too. I need to find an easy way to have both hah mr301-21-2011, 09:06 PM2 sets of t-tops. RePete01-21-2011, 09:09 PM^ That's genius! Such a simple solution that may have slipped our minds.

Covering over the Ts is a good idea I think, it's more dramatic when you remove them for a sunny day! mr301-21-2011, 09:19 PMHaha. I parted out an 88 and had a spare set. The weather stripping was shot on them so I just got some cheap spray primer and paint and painted them. I was just doing it to see if it would stick. The primer laid very nice. I just used the cheap spray can primer. It sprayed on nice and looked decent. Then I took some color and sprayed. I rushed through it and never attempted to clear it but it looked good but it rubbed off because it was poorly executed. white_mr201-21-2011, 10:10 PMI'm going to try vinyl and if that doesn't work I'll try paint. traintech8601-21-2011, 10:19 PMYeah i guess a second set of tops would work. I had 2 before but not for that reason. I am pretty interested in this now. Hopefully someone pulls it off and posts. EJ80801-23-2011, 07:36 AMdang that white car is sick. i like the hard top look thats exactly what i was looking for.
i think im gonna try the vinyl since you can remove it. when i get my mind set on this ill post up some pics for you guys. EJ80801-23-2011, 07:38 AMI'm going to try vinyl and if that doesn't work I'll try paint.

i wanna see some pics if you get it together EJ80801-23-2011, 08:34 AMcheck dis out idk if its paint or vinyl

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s190/dgatan/SL%20Carshow/Darryl_Gatan.jpg white_mr201-23-2011, 10:44 AMcheck dis out idk if its paint or vinyl

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s190/dgatan/SL%20Carshow/Darryl_Gatan.jpg

I like this! It looks like a hard top! Tadashi01-23-2011, 12:37 PMwow that does look great, my tee tops are scratched up anyway. its similar to that look that you get when you throw a hardtop on a s2000, it looks more exotic. some color matched vinyl would be great.



- idea stolen;) dubmr201-23-2011, 12:41 PMI've thought about doing this for a few years, I was going to buy an extra set of tops and have one of them painted. Vinyl would be a good option for some (probably most) cars but my paint is pearl which would make it basically impossible to match with vinyl.

I think it is more likely that I will just end up tinting the tops instead as my paint is dark enough that it basically looks black at night, so the darkness of window tint would blend in nicely.

Heres a couple more shots of that red car. Tadashi01-23-2011, 12:49 PMboth color cars pull it off well, i love how the red mr2 still looks slick with out the wing. usually i think it looks like a del sol with out the wing, but a del sol never looked so sexy dubmr201-23-2011, 12:51 PMi love how the red mr2 still looks slick with out the wing. usually i think it looks like a del sol with out the wing, but a del sol never looked so sexy

look at my avatar ;) white_mr201-23-2011, 02:18 PMHere is a Guy that is covering his whole car with matte black vinyl so I don't think t-tops would be that hard.http://184.72.239.143/mu/43d6194e-7ecd-5f12.jpghttp://184.72.239.143/mu/43d6194e-7ef5-060d.jpg zx10r20301-23-2011, 03:15 PMI do vinyl graphics and applying vinyl in not very hard. They come in multiple widths and lengths. Vinyl is not expensive unless you go with the industrial grade stuff.

If anyone is interested I could sell some sheets of 24"x24" vinyl (giving you some extra room on all sides), (you would need 2 sheets, one per side) of basic colors (black, matte black, and white). Other colors like red, blue, green,... are really hard to match without having the car and vinyl side by side but I do have other colors. These sheets would come with the masked application tape (the outside of the vinyl would be protected with a masking tape making it easier to install), pretty much ready to install. Trim after install would be required but that part is easier.

I have priced this and shops around my area and they ask charging between $150 - $200 for material and install and $75 for just 2 sheets of economy grade vinyl measuring 24" x 24" if I want to do it myself. This was based on calling over 10 different graphics shops and sign stores.

Also if anyone is looking for some custom cut graphics, let me know!! white_mr201-23-2011, 05:12 PMI do vinyl graphics and applying vinyl in not very hard. They come in multiple widths and lengths. Vinyl is not expensive unless you go with the industrial grade stuff.

If anyone is interested I could sell some sheets of 24"x24" vinyl (giving you some extra room on all sides), (you would need 2 sheets, one per side) of basic colors (black, matte black, and white). Other colors like red, blue, green,... are really hard to match without having the car and vinyl side by side but I do have other colors. These sheets would come with the masked application tape (the outside of the vinyl would be protected with a masking tape making it easier to install), pretty much ready to install. Trim after install would be required but that part is easier.

I have priced this and shops around my area and they ask charging between $150 - $200 for material and install and $75 for just 2 sheets of economy grade vinyl measuring 24" x 24" if I want to do it myself. This was based on calling over 10 different graphics shops and sign stores.

Also if anyone is looking for some custom cut graphics, let me know!!

Wana do some t-tops with white vinyl? LOL! Were does one get white vinyl locally? Klicks01-23-2011, 07:09 PMvinyl is great and if you need to you can paint over the vinyl, not that hard and it will hold good IF you do it properly, and when you tear it off ttops are somewhat intact. JLAudioCavalier01-23-2011, 07:19 PMSo now there is recommendation to paint over vinyl decals, AND paint over glass... Wow guys, yikes...... datguydeni01-23-2011, 07:27 PMVinyl is a good idea, a bit pricey but the quality is good and it's removeable. I believe this dude used paint though.

http://www3.telus.net/ssweb/PaintedTs.jpg

This was vinyl, if i remember correctly.
Vinyl I think best option, saves a lot of time (I think) if you want to reverse them back, and won't ruin the value of the car. There were a few threads about covering the t-tops from using custom covers to vinyl and paint. try search =)

I am still waiting for a guy to do some vinyl work on my roof making my car 2 tone. But he hasn't been very efficient, though he is big on other car forums. Been 3 months, and then I called him he said he has to make another template, and right now he is sick :confused: I feel like this guy is trolling zx10r20301-24-2011, 01:11 AMWana do some t-tops with white vinyl? LOL! Were does one get white vinyl locally?

If you were in the area I would only charge you for material.

You got to go to sign shops and see if they know anyone locally who can supply you with vinyl. Most places that supply vinyl may only want to sell you an entire roll. Not a bad thing if you mess up on the first trial, you at least have more to redo with.

If you are interested in buying a couple of 24"x24" sheets PM for details. zx10r20301-24-2011, 01:16 AMThis was vinyl, if i remember correctly.
Vinyl I think best option, saves a lot of time (I think) if you want to reverse them back, and won't ruin the value of the car. There were a few threads about covering the t-tops from using custom covers to vinyl and paint. try search =)

I am still waiting for a guy to do some vinyl work on my roof making my car 2 tone. But he hasn't been very efficient, though he is big on other car forums. Been 3 months, and then I called him he said he has to make another template, and right now he is sick :confused: I feel like this guy is trolling
yes vinyl is a cheaper and faster option. Paint can be easily scrapped off glass do to its smooth surface but vinyl will have a great bond with the surface.


Sounds like he offered to do your car before he found out what he was getting into. You could try calling a few sign shops and see if they do vehicle wraps and how much. They may even have some type of warranty on their install. It will cost more but most likely last a lot longer. Klicks01-24-2011, 01:27 AMSo now there is recommendation to paint over vinyl decals, AND paint over glass... Wow guys, yikes......

actually both are possible and not a far stretch IF done right. of course making a mold and laying fiberglass is the best route no questions asked. but these routes are possible if done right and there not necessarily a bad idea if properly executed...think outside the box cuz it is possible...if your goin to stick to closeted thoughts then your limited in approaches..

and fyi its not vinyl decals, the composition on a decal is different. it is just adhesive vinyl Klicks01-24-2011, 01:28 AMoh and fyi yes i have painted over vinyl on other projects and it looks amazing just make sure you get paint that will not deform the vinyl. Sh0ty01-24-2011, 01:37 AMDoes anyone happen to know what wheels are on that white car on the first page? zx10r20301-24-2011, 01:45 AMI'll probably be doing the T-Tops in vinyl sometime in the future on my MK2 project car. It will be a while until that phase of the project. zx10r20301-24-2011, 02:42 AMDoes anyone happen to know what wheels are on that white car on the first page?

They look like blitz!! Don't know the model though. Tadashi01-29-2011, 02:09 PMtoday i went to the swap shop (local flee market) and went to one of the 10 shops that are lined up there, that do tint and stuff. i walked up and asked about some vinyl and the guy said he had some. i asked about the quality and he told me that its good, but if its on the out side of the car in the sun all the time it will last about two years. thats cool because i will paint that ish when i paint the car.:D they had alot of cars to tint the line was like 3hrs long and i have work soon

i bought a piece of white vinyl 24 by 50 for 15 bucks..

i also asked about a install and he said 20 bucks

im still undecided if i should try to do it myself or not, they gave me good instructions and im good with diy.

anyways i will have this done in the next couple of days THEN PICS!!! im stoked zx10r20301-29-2011, 03:04 PMtoday i went to the swap shop (local flee market) and went to one of the 10 shops that are lined up there, that do tint and stuff. i walked up and asked about some vinyl and the guy said he had some. i asked about the quality and he told me that its good, but if its on the out side of the car in the sun all the time it will last about two years. thats cool because i will paint that ish when i paint the car.:D they had alot of cars to tint the line was like 3hrs long and i have work soon

i bought a piece of white vinyl 24 by 50 for 15 bucks..

i also asked about a install and he said 20 bucks

im still undecided if i should try to do it myself or not, they gave me good instructions and im good with diy.

anyways i will have this done in the next couple of days THEN PICS!!! im stoked

24x50 for $15?!?! Thats good but if he said it will only last 2 years outside, it must be the "economy" grade stuff. Yeah you can get that stuff for cheap but it doesn't last. It will actually turn yellow after a while.

The material I deal with lasts at least 6 years outside 24/7. It designed for exterior applications/jobs. Thats the stuff I will use on my T-tops. Tadashi01-31-2011, 12:17 AMwhen slapping vinyl on my glass t tops i thought of a saying i heard once, the one about "Picking your battles". this is something i have always had a problem with, im very suborn. if it has been done and i feel i can do it better, i will find my own way of doing it. well...

i work at a Att store and i am the designated screen protector installer because i can get them on the phones face with out bubbles. im good at it so i don't mind doing them. so i thought laying vinyl was a task i could complete with confidence. no one said i could not do it, maybe thats why i just jumped into it, i was so wrong laying that ish down is difficult.

first i saw that the vinyl was not thick enough to cover the black tops without becoming dark, so i must use better vinyl. second its difficult to predict the vinyls behavior after heat is applied, i also used a soap based water spray to manipulate it position. the shrinkage cause it to crease and bubble. it was a f*cking nightmare.

- the one side i did finish looked like sh*t but i can still see what the car would look like. i love it, mr2s look the best with a hard top or hard top knock off:D

- i need better grade vinyl even though im going to paint it anyway

- laying vinyl sucks.. leave it to the pros traintech8601-31-2011, 02:37 AMThe material I deal with lasts at least 6 years outside 24/7. It designed for exterior applications/jobs. Thats the stuff I will use on my T-tops.

Where can we get some of this stuff? zx10r20301-31-2011, 11:57 PMWhere can we get some of this stuff?

Here you go:

ORACAL USA : Products : ORACAL 970RA Wrapping Cast Film with Rapid Air ®Technology (http://www.oracal.com/products/product.asp?seriesID=237) zx10r20301-31-2011, 11:58 PMwhen slapping vinyl on my glass t tops i thought of a saying i heard once, the one about "Picking your battles". this is something i have always had a problem with, im very suborn. if it has been done and i feel i can do it better, i will find my own way of doing it. well...

i work at a Att store and i am the designated screen protector installer because i can get them on the phones face with out bubbles. im good at it so i don't mind doing them. so i thought laying vinyl was a task i could complete with confidence. no one said i could not do it, maybe thats why i just jumped into it, i was so wrong laying that ish down is difficult.

first i saw that the vinyl was not thick enough to cover the black tops without becoming dark, so i must use better vinyl. second its difficult to predict the vinyls behavior after heat is applied, i also used a soap based water spray to manipulate it position. the shrinkage cause it to crease and bubble. it was a f*cking nightmare.

- the one side i did finish looked like sh*t but i can still see what the car would look like. i love it, mr2s look the best with a hard top or hard top knock off:D

- i need better grade vinyl even though im going to paint it anyway

- laying vinyl sucks.. leave it to the pros

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thum bup::thumbup::thumbup: traintech8602-01-2011, 01:48 AMty sir Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.