We wrapped our hardtop because Ford denied our color mismatched panels, ...details inside!

[ChrisB351]

I have a good friend that does wraps. Ive asked him about doing mine several times. He wont touch it cause either A) its not going to last and he doesnt want his name on it (even tho I told him Id never do or say anything about that) or B) the amount of prep required would be more cost effective to just paint it. Im curious to know how these hold up. I live in Louisiana and we see regular temps over 100deg during the summer so it needs to be durable.

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[Underground Graphics]

@Underground Graphics

Hard to tell in the pictures, but how noticeable is the texture after the wrap? Or did you eliminate the texture in your prep work? Do you think the results would be just as good had you used a gloss wrap?

Any imperfection will be visible. So yes, I can see the texture and wavyness in my middle panel, etc... Wrap does not hide this.

 

[Underground Graphics]

I have a good friend that does wraps. Ive asked him about doing mine several times. He wont touch it cause either A) its not going to last and he doesnt want his name on it (even tho I told him Id never do or say anything about that) or B) the amount of prep required would be more cost effective to just paint it. Im curious to know how these hold up. I live in Louisiana and we see regular temps over 100deg during the summer so it needs to be durable.

I've been saying no to our locval customers for years. This will be my real world test. And again, end of the day, I still wouldn't recommend it.

 

[timhood]

I have a good friend who does wraps. I've asked him about doing mine several times. He won't touch it cause either A) it's not going to last, and he doesn't want his name on it (even tho I told him I'd never do or say anything about that) or B) the amount of prep required would be more cost-effective to just paint it. I'm curious to know how these hold up. I live in Louisiana, and we see regular temps over 100deg during the summer, so it needs to be durable.

I think it will cost more to paint. Less than $2K to do the wrap, no prep work that permanently alters the top. That is, no sanding or adding a bonding material, etc. I'm not seeing any adhesion issues, color change, dullness, fading, etc., well over 3 years after having it done. It's been outside, and Utah gets 100+ days, though "it's a dry heat." I was going to snap some pics and post, but my wife took the Bronco today, so I'll post them tomorrow.

 

[Fatfireman]

Hey Greg- Thanks for the post and all the information. My top is cracking and I had planned on wrapping the replacement but I don't think I will now. I was going with wrap over paint because it seems like the wrap might keep future cracks sealed/covered and paint won't. Also clearly this was no advertisement.

 

[Bayrat]

Why not just spray it with bed liner? That's what I did with my Rubicon after it was damaged.

 

[Los]

Does anyone know who does the jeep hard tops? And why that company hasn't started making after market hard tops for the bronco.

 

[timhood]

The top is dirty because it rained, but this is a good reference for what the texture looks like.

 

[timhood]

Here are a couple more images to better show the texture detail and that there's no sign of the original top color because the wrap is fully rolled around the edges.

 

[JD11937]

Also had my hardtop wrapped in matte black. It has been almost two years and it's completely failing on the roof but holding up well everywhere else. Could be an install problem but will probably have it wrapped again regardless because it looks so much better than stock.

 

[drewski]

Really surprised no has “dipped” their top. Easy DYI, cheap and reversible. That was my plan but Ford ponied up a complete new top for me. https://www.dipyourcar.com/?utm_sou...MIu8zjzPPykwMVV19HAR38iDO7EAAYASAAEgI_ffD_BwE

 

[ChrisB351]

Really surprised no has “dipped” their top. Easy DYI, cheap and reversible. That was my plan but Ford ponied up a complete new top for me. https://www.dipyourcar.com/?utm_sou...MIu8zjzPPykwMVV19HAR38iDO7EAAYASAAEgI_ffD_BwE

Ive talked to a guy that does dips. He said it doesnt remove very well due to the texture of the MIC and being slightly porous.

 

[Wolfgang VTS]

Ive talked to a guy that does dips. He said it doesnt remove very well due to the texture of the MIC and being slightly porous.

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but can you tell me what wheels you have on your Bronco? TIA.

 

[not on the rug]

Ive talked to a guy that does dips. He said it doesnt remove very well due to the texture of the MIC and being slightly porous.

You'd never want to remove it anyway

 

[23OBX2.7]

It will be interesting to see durability of the film givin the substrate cracking etc and limitations of film.

I would personaly coat top with euro gravel guard for its smooth texture, and color coat with flex agent additive for likely similar cost.

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