By Marc on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 11:59 am: Edit

Hey Guys,

My roof has been getting pretty scratched up lately (we have a lot of scrub forest here). I have been thinking of rhino-lining the roof from the getters up.

Has anyone ever tried or seen this? I am wondering how it looks. I have been thinking either black or trying to match the body color (white gold).

Just looking for some opinions.

-Marc

By John Witherspoon on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 01:33 pm: Edit

Marc,
I'm not a member...perhaps don't belong here, but I was browsing and thought I'd put in at least two cents...rhino lining the roof would protect the paint, I guess and would probably look cool for a while, but I've seen a million truck beds that have spray in liners and once the stuff gets dirty (brown mud/dirt stains, wood particles, gas/oil, masonry dust, etc.) it is extremely hard to get clean and new-looking again...Unless someone knows a better way of cleaning it, some kind of light acid maybe? Of course, my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it :-)

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 01:38 pm: Edit

As far as black goes:
The problem I see is that you've got this nice light-colored truck, then to go and put a black top on it will make it a bit hotter in there on those sunny days.

Just a thought.....


-L


PS: Notice that on old Series trucks, even the dark ones have limestone roofs.....

By Marc on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 01:54 pm: Edit

It had occured to me to try white. I guess it might look like a nod to the old series trucks.

By lynden on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 02:34 pm: Edit

I don't know how much you want to spend but I know there are chip guard paints. Its basically car paint that has some of that rubber rhino lining stuff mixed in (I think). A buddy in high school repainted his truck (his dad worked in an autobody shop) and he painted the bottom 8 inches or so w/ the stuff. Its pretty common on tons of cars to have the bottom section chip-guarded. I'd look into having your roof painted w/ this stuff. Probably the same price as rhino lining and it'll stay as clean as you keep the rest of the car. Call a paint shop and check it out. Post your findings because I bet more than a few people would be interested.
Lynden

By Marc on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Lynden -
I have seen that stuff too - it might be better - I will check into it.

By C. Ross on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 04:28 pm: Edit

Marc,

My mechanic uses Durabak to coat the top of his Rangie's. It actually isn't Durabak but a similar product that comes in a spray on kit.

I used it on the inside of my D90 fiberglass top and it really worked well. I plan on using it on top of my project Disco. Just make sure that there is no rust or chipped paint on the top. The top piece is steel and could rust out underneath the coating.

Ross

By Neil Flanagan (Electriceel) on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 05:11 pm: Edit

I've had the rear tub of the 90 Rhino Lined for a few years now. Hasn't faded, soiled or scratched even after I've shoveled dirt, mulch, rocks and the like out of it. I wouldn't use it on the roof however.

If you have the time and don't mind being hazed for having a shiny truck, try keeping a good coat of wax(preferably Zymol)on the truck. It may be good practice after wheeling to wash and wax the truck as Zymol helps in hiding scratches. It'll also prevent them as a thick enough coat will prevent it from even reaching the paint.

Neil
94 D90 #1092
97 Disco

By lynden on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 06:29 pm: Edit

One other thing that I have done that takes out scratches nicely is used a McGuire's #2 (Fine Cut Polish). This says to use w/ radial buffer but I've been using by hand for about 10 yrs (before it said to use w/ a buffer) and have had great results. It takes off oxidization as well as takes out scratches. About two weeks ago I went through some motorcycle/four wheeler trails. Not quite wide enough for the disco. I had some pretty bad scratches. The #2 took out 90% of the scratches. I was pretty impressed. Try it out and see if it helps (coupled w/ a good coat of wax all the time as Neil said).
Lynden
PS- I'm still thinking about that chip guard paint though, that might be a good idea to get a quote.