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How do I protect the paint?

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Coastalman

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Now that the weather is getting cooler I have had the top/hood up a few times. Unfortunately, that produces a scuff mark where the rear top bar in the top material rests on the paint between the two top catches behind the cockpit. Has anyone figured out a way to protect the paint? It has not been so bad that I couldn't buff it out, but that is a short term fix. Is there a fix?
Thanks,
Charlie
 
could you get some kind of protector strip - foam door weather seal or something like that?
 
I have a related question, the paint on my sprite is very thin and doesn't seem to have any protective coating over it. Is there a type of wax or other covering that I can use to protect it better?
One example of what I'm talking about, some gas overflowed out the filler past the old non vented cap and got on the paint below the bumper. All that paint bubbled up and I was then able to easily just peel it right off.
 
Coastalman, use a strip of microfiber. You can get it in black, so it can't ge seen. Use some black 3-M silicone to attach it.

RickB...Bad paint job. Do you know what kind of paint it was?
 
Charlie, I'm not familiar with the area you're talking about but I do have a suggestion. 3M used to (and probably still does) sell a transparent, self-adhesive plastic for use as stone/chip protection. The intended purpose was running boards and front valences. However, I would think the material could be applied anywhere that you want to prevent chips. The plastic would probably scratch just like the paint, but the paint itself wouldn't be compromised.

A quick Google search took me here:
https://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotchgard_Paint_Protection/Film
 
Hi Doug,
I do know about the product you are talking about. I don't think it would look good on the area I want to protect. There is a large expanse of painted area and to put a strip of that plastic along where the top rear bar hits would look strange when not using the top. I think the advice on microfiber might be what I am looking for. Something that can be applied on the top itself where it hits the paint. That way when the top is off, only the smooth paint will be showing. Now the question is, where does one buy microfiber?
Charlie
 
Coastalman said:
Hi Doug,
I do know about the product you are talking about. I don't think it would look good on the area I want to protect. There is a large expanse of painted area and to put a strip of that plastic along where the top rear bar hits would look strange when not using the top. I think the advice on microfiber might be what I am looking for. Something that can be applied on the top itself where it hits the paint. That way when the top is off, only the smooth paint will be showing. Now the question is, where does one buy microfiber?
Charlie
Click to expand...

Charlie, just buy a microfibre towel in black. You are going to have to cut strips of it anyway, and there will be breaks for the area where the bar engages the clips, so you don't need one long, continuous piece anyway. Any auto parts store should sell microfiber towels, and they are available at Walmart. Some of the on-line auto care vendors like autogeek.com will have a higher quality towel and may have better size and color availability.
 
Coastalman said:
Hi Doug,
I do know about the product you are talking about. I don't think it would look good on the area I want to protect. There is a large expanse of painted area and to put a strip of that plastic along where the top rear bar hits would look strange when not using the top. I think the advice on microfiber might be what I am looking for. Something that can be applied on the top itself where it hits the paint. That way when the top is off, only the smooth paint will be showing. Now the question is, where does one buy microfiber?
Charlie
Click to expand...

Could you put it on the bar instead?
 
On my top, the bar is mostly covered by the top material. The only exposed bar is at the points the bar catches under the clips. That material is what is causing the scuffing. I have found some micro fiber towels at the hardware store and will be attempting to attach that to the top material. I do want to protect the paint as much as possible while using the top.
Charlie
 
Charlie, I had the same problem with my hardtop. I used a thin towel. they didn't have the microfiber back then. That stuff is so smooth and soft, I think it will give great protection.
 
Legal Bill said:
they didn't have the microfiber back then. That stuff is so smooth and soft, I think it will give great protection.
Click to expand...


please to tell me more.

what is this creature you speak of?

where is it's natural habitat?

does it come from the rare and elusive Nauga species prized for it's hyde?

does it taste like chicken?

do you recommend it's use with ketchup or Tabasco?

please to excuse me.

i see you have previously provided such knowledge, except for taste and condoment usage.

a thousand pardons is asked of you...

(you can always tell when I didn't get much sleep) :sleep: :crazyeyes: :jester:
 
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