K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Hey all

I'm thinking ahead to the pending refurbish on my top. Any recommendations for removing the white gloss house paint currently on there? Am thinking soda blast, not sure if chemical strip is a no-no or not.

Also, anyone have any idea what the correct ppg/ditzler code would be for a white top? Same as rpo 521 for white on two tone trucks and stock steel wheels? Semigloss finish?

Thanks. Pete

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

If what you have on your top is not peeling off and and you know its not really latex house paint you might be better off dulling or priming the surface and putting what you want on it. I am sure people who know more than me will chime in and help you. But I can tell you that these tops when new had very little if any shine. Even the black ones. I got and blazer with a black top when it was 8 years old. It was fading to the point the white was coming through. I did like any 16 year old would do. Flip canned it black again. Good luck

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Pete,

I'm looking for the same information, but in addition I need to find out what is used to get the textured look to the top? I'm not 100% sure that mine is correct, but it has a sort of rough feel to it. Almost like a sheet rock wall with a little bit of texture sprayed onto it. So, after I do my repairs, I'm gonna have to either sand the entire thing down or find a way to recreate the texture mine has.

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Pete...as you know I don't have anything real to add to the paint stripping conversation as we took ours right down to glass so to speak. I assume you want to preserve as much as possible the actual factory texture. But as to GM man's post about texture replacement...here's what we did to recreate it:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=573

This post also highlights the options previously illustrated on this site that we considered. A simple search which pull up examples of all of these texture options.

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help. I'll add the following link to a related current thread for others and future reference: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=727990

Brad I plan to take the top down to the glass and will definitely keep the Gravitex in mind, it seems similar to rocker schutz that others have used and a close match to the OEM texture.

Unless I learn otherwise, I'll plan to use the GM rpo 521 white.

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

ill be waiting to hear the results of what you go with. When the top comes off for the summer I will restore my top.

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

The tops are made of smc not fiberglass so when you are sanding stop at the point of seeing a different shade of white, it will have a smooth consistent appearance. The rear hatches are fiberglass.

Although not white the sheen and texture turned out as close to stock as possible

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Great information in here everyone, thank you muchly.

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=727990


This is how I do it, really have had good luck with it I've done two this way

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Thanks for the bump. I was tearing into my hatch today. It's getting close to paint time for the tub and top. I'm following ClassicStyle approach.

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Did you end up going with the soda blast or chemical strip for the paint removal? I have green house paint on my top, so I am in a similar boat.

Re: K5 top: best method to strip and code for paint?
 

Top was lightly blasted I believe copper slag was used and it worked well. Did not chemical strip or sand.

Edit: here’s a pic of the top post blasting - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=242