Welcome! I hope you and Joe build some great memories together in "his" Bronco! There's a lot of people here much smarter than me that can offer y'all all the help you need.
I would wave at modded Broncos (and there seems to be quite a few in the Atlanta area), but I'm almost always in customer's cars when I see them so I'd look even weirder and crazier than I normally do. I almost never see them when I'm in my Bronco 😔
I had mine painted at a local body shop. Well worth the cost in my opinion. Of course, I have no idea how well it's going to hold up over time given the issues people are reporting with MIC tops. Either way, if it doesn't last at least I have the look I want until more aftermarket options...