MIC Hard Top Coating

[BAUS67]

Good to know! I only hand-wash mine at home and use a pressure washer for the tires and undercarriage only. Sounds like I'm good then!

I use the same process and thought the same as you. Ford just replaced my top. There is no rhyme or reason. Just luck whether you get a good one or a bad one.

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[GroovyGeek]

Just don't use high pressure washes/automated car washes on your MIC top. There are stickers on them from the factory saying not to. My dealer removed them but thankfully I like to read my owner's manuals so I found out about it.

Yes, you should never expose egg cartons to water. Thank you Ford, may I have another one.

 

[JimmyZ]

Honestly, I drive my 2023 2 door Bronco with MIC hardtop thru the local carwash at least once a week. No leaks or fading. I kept the Bronco waxed up but never wax the roof.

 

[joeman]

I hand wash, use mild soap and water only on it. I would not apply any other coating to a MIC top. When it cracks (and it will) I don’t want Ford to say I did something wrong with it that would prohibit them from replacing it under warranty.

 

[Nibroc99]

I hand wash, use mild soap and water only on it. I would not apply any other coating to a MIC top. When it cracks (and it will) I don’t want Ford to say I did something wrong with it that would prohibit them from replacing it under warranty.

That is certainly a fair point. I just noticed that my center panel (4-door backseat panel) is lighter than my other panels. I was hoping a coating might help them all be the same color again lol. Not sure if a prev owner may have had that panel or the others replaced (I bought it used, 2022 with 58k mi).

 

[joeman]

That is certainly a fair point. I just noticed that my center panel (4-door backseat panel) is lighter than my other panels. I was hoping a coating might help them all be the same color again lol. Not sure if a prev owner may have had that panel or the others replaced (I bought it used, 2022 with 58k mi).

Probably, or could have come from the factory that way. These MIC tops are shit. Poor quality control and consistency all around. I'm getting my center panel replaced next week and can't wait to see how far the color will be off

 

[Nibroc99]

Probably, or could have come from the factory that way. These MIC tops are shit. Poor quality control and consistency all around. I'm getting my center panel replaced next week and can't wait to see how far the color will be off

I'm honestly torn between wanting to paint mine or just coating it with that meguiar's ultimate black cladding coating. Or, better yet, I'd love to just find a painted hard top from the factory that someone took off of their rig. I know they're heavier but they're clearly more reliable haha. But yeah, the quality of these is rough, although that makes me feel less bad about just throwing them in the cargo area while out and about. I'm not worries at all about them getting scratched up.

 

[Doc TOC]

Any thoughts on if [Meguiars Ultimate Black] would do damage to the top?

Meguiars Ultimate Black Restorer is an acrylic polymer with UV protectors, gloss enhancers, dye, and solvents. Its formulated to produce a thin acrylic film on top of plastic when it dries. It's like rice pudding, good until it separates out. The acrylic polymer can leave a haze over time that may require some vigorous scrubbing to clean it off.

There are 6 different formulations of the product. Each has different compositions, including the solvents. I do not know what makes up the "light aromatic hydrocarbons" or their respective volume. I presume they are VOC (volatile organic compound) solvents and used to suspend/distribute the protectors, enhancers and dye in the acrylic until it dries. It may be okay, but can't say for sure.

If you want to test it out, use a cotton swab to put a short thin line near a seal lip, like on the top where most people can't see it. Check it after a month or so and see if you like the results. If it f's up the panel, it's only a half inch or so. It could also be a big nothing. At least you didn't put hours into doing the whole top just to see if you like it.

 

[Nibroc99]

Meguiars Ultimate Black Restorer is an acrylic polymer with UV protectors, gloss enhancers, dye, and solvents. Its formulated to produce a thin acrylic film on top of plastic when it dries. It's like rice pudding, good until it separates out. The acrylic polymer can leave a haze over time that may require some vigorous scrubbing to clean it off.

There are 6 different formulations of the product. Each has different compositions, including the solvents. I do not know what makes up the "light aromatic hydrocarbons" or their respective volume. I presume they are VOC (volatile organic compound) solvents and used to suspend/distribute the protectors, enhancers and dye in the acrylic until it dries. It may be okay, but can't say for sure.

If you want to test it out, use a cotton swab to put a short thin line near a seal lip, like on the top where most people can't see it. Check it after a month or so and see if you like the results. If it f's up the panel, it's only a half inch or so. It could also be a big nothing. At least you didn't put hours into doing the whole top just to see if you like it.

Totally makes sense! Thanks for the advice and the interesting info about the product. Always cool to learn something new!!

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