I'm not sure which I should have done first the Top or Paint job. The top frame needs to be stripped and painted before covering. I'm leary of the uhpolstery guys around fresh black paint job on the car. Will the body shop want the top removed? No major body work to be done on the car, just lots of alignment and blocking.

I'm not sure which I should have done first the Top or Paint job. The top frame needs to be stripped and painted before covering. I'm leary of the uhpolstery guys around fresh black paint job on the car. Will the body shop want the top removed? No major body work to be done on the car, just lots of alignment and blocking.

I was in the same boat. I decided to do the paint first since its easier to fix paint than a painted or torn top.

Plus interior guys know to keep things clean and just point out you mess it up you fix it!
Paint first

Most definitely paint first. Do all the body work and get the car in final primer, then clean and paint the frame. Mask the frame, paint the car, then install the top. That is the process on all the converts I restore. Works well.