Sorry - but I have a MIC top vs. Painted top question for someone who has had Both.

[Pony4x4]

I fully realize this subject has probably been covered in previous threads - but I think I would drive myself crazy reading through all the threads. I am looking at ordering a 2026 Outer Banks. I have read on some of the Bronco Top threads that some people think the painted top is quieter than the MIC.

Has anyone had BOTH the MIC top and the painted top in later versions of the Bronco (2023 - 2025) that could give a real life opinion. Is there no difference? Or is there?

Thanks!

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[Dan-O]

I’ve only owned MIC tops, but the painted tops do not appear to have cracking and delamination issues that are so common with MICs. That alone is reason enough to stay away from MICs.

 

[tofudrifter]

I have painted top....there is a sound deaf liner in there. Overall very pleasant quiet experience. Unfortunately i came from a softtop so my expreience is total night n day!

 

[itwelder]

I currently have both, painted on a 2025 Badlands and MIC on a 2025 base. The Base with the MIC is hands-down quieter, not just subjectively, but by measurement.

On the same strip of highway, where I measured noise in the Base/MIC at about 72 - 74 dB at 65, the Badlands/Painted measured 82 - 84 dB. In human terms, that's twice as loud. I've had both on 1000+ mile trips, and the Badlands leaves my ears ringing and feeling tired, the Base does not.

The MIC had more wind noise at the seams, but was still quieter initially. After I put some extra weatherstripping between the panels, the wind noise was reduced and it's even quieter. Weatherstripping on the Painted top did not do much, but then again there was not much wind noise to start with.

To be fair, the Base is 2dr, the Badlands 4dr, so there might be a difference due to cabin volume, furniture, etc.

 

[itwelder]

Oh also (afterthought) I had a 2025 Base 4dr also, with MIC top. Drove that for about 3 months, traded it for the 2 dr - who needs all those doors right? Never did actual measurements, but subjectively it was very quiet, felt exactly the same inside as my current 2dr with MIC.

 

[broncobase1]

I've seen the painted top at the dealership and they look so much better. With all the issues with the MIC If I was ordering a new Bronco I wouldn't even consider not checking the box for the painted top.

 

[FoCoBronc]

I had a '22 OBX 4 door MIC top and now a '26 BL 2 door Painted top. Like several users have commented, to me the bigger issue is risk of cracks/delamination - granted it may be a minority but out of warranty is big bucks that Ford is not covering. I did not measure like some, but after 4 years in a MIC top the painted top seemed quieter. Both has sound deadening headliner. Maybe difference is 4 door to 2 door...

 

[MayhemMike]

When the Bronco was announced one of the promised features was the painted top. Unfortunately the production of both the Bronco and the tops turned into a fiasco of epic proportions. If the painted top had been available from day one I suspect a vast majority would have selected that option. Furthermore, once those with the MIC top began experiencing failures, the orders of painted tops on future orders would have dramatically increased. The Bronco has a higher cabin noise level. It comes with the territory. IMO if you want a Bronco pay the extra for the painted top.

 

[RustysBronco]

I fully realize this subject has probably been covered in previous threads - but I think I would drive myself crazy reading through all the threads. I am looking at ordering a 2026 Outer Banks. I have read on some of the Bronco Top threads that some people think the painted top is quieter than the MIC.

Has anyone had BOTH the MIC top and the painted top in later versions of the Bronco (2023 - 2025) that could give a real life opinion. Is there no difference? Or is there?

Thanks!

Painted tops are better all around, with the exception that you can't stick patches to your roof.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Since it's a 4dr, be sure to get the factory soft top as well.
Budget depending, I'd opt in the softy first , then the MIC, lastly painted HT if $$$ allowed.

Just my opinion after having a 2dr MIC and a 4dr softy. The soft top is soo convenient when/if you're out and about and get the urge to open it up.

I've had no issues with the MIC. Not everyone can say that.

 

[MrBell]

I have a 2025 OBX with the painted top. The top is an updated version of the original design, far better sealed than the MIC top on my 2023 Badlands. I don't get any wind noise getting through the seams. (It is not the most current design with the white inside)

But, I have made in much quieter with these headliner panels from Hot Head. I went with black, they just velcro to the factory sound deadening material. They look totally OEM.

Best $550 bucks I've spent on my Bronco. Highway driving is a pleasure now.

https://hotheadheadliners.com/produ...ry-headliner?_pos=2&_psq=bronco+&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

[Doc TOC]

If you are considering a roof rack, that could add to the perceived noise, depending on the style/wind deflection chosen.

I owned a 2022 Badlands Sas 4 door MIC top and now a 2024 Badlands Sas 4 door Painted top. Both had a Prinsu roof rack with the front deflection panel. IMO, the hardtop has slightly better noise dampening. You will probably get more cabin noise from your tires than the roof panels. The roof panel liners are meant as vibration dampeners, not really sound absorption deadening.

If your concern is cabin noise, invest in the sound deadening mat. That would be the better bang for the buck.

If you are soley focused on which top is better, a dealer test drive on a freeway stretch is YOUR best recommendation. Your ears and sound processing is going to be different from ours. Only you can make that decision about "better".

Good luck. Hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[TheShark]

Having had both I can tell you that you would be a fool to get anything other than the painted top. The MIC top is a POS and if you read through all the threads on here you will find the evidence for it.

 

[Roger123]

MIC on '22 BL, non-SAS (KO2's) and now a painted on '25 BL SAS (Goodyears). Painted is orders of magnitude quieter. Overall '25 Bronco is WAY quieter than the '22 was. Not sure if all attributed to the top or something else.

The painted top looks, feels, and sounds way better in all aspects.

We couldn't have a conversation at freeway speeds in the '22, it's NO problem in the '25.

 

[ActionZ]

I've had both, the painted mod is a better finish but it wasn't significantly quieter. Maybe slightly better but it's still pretty loud compared to a normal car. It has an extra strip of weather stripping behind the 2nd row so that might of helped. But you can buy that separately aftermarket. Attaching a photo of the weather strip

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