[Warren Seale]

I am the orginal owner of my Fisher t top 79 T/A. The black finish on the t top frame is starting to show age and I want to re-finish it. There is something about it that doesn't look like paint to me. It has sort of a metallic finish but it isn't metal flakes like most paints have. It isn't black, but kind of a blue/black. Does anyone have any idea what the finsih is and what to use to bring it back to looking like the original? I've seen people paint them black, but that does not look original.





Thanks,
Warren

79 T/A,WS6,A3,403
96 T/A,WS6,M6
72 442,W30,A3
06 Vette Vert,Z51,M6

[68ragtop]

Its tough to match, but if you flip one over & look at the side that seldom sees daylight, its pretty close to black. I painted mine on my 78 with SEM's trim black. It looks pretty close, & far petter than the oriignal ones on my 79. But, I think most of them started to fade pretty early in life. Not sure if you could duplicate that process that fisher did with them. Some sort of chemical process I would imagine. I'll see if I can post some pictures later.

68RT

[speedshopmike]

it seems to be more a coating then a paint...mine was *thick* and can be peeled off if you try, like a plastic covering.
i was considering thinning some plasti-dip tool coating out and trying to mask/apply that onto the tops....
love to hear a better idea from someone...

[Skip Fix]

Mine have always appeared to be black anodized to me. It does fade woth time.

[68ragtop]

I never ment to say mine had paint. They are for sure originally a chemical colored metal. But I don't think its possible to reproduce that. As they start to fade they do start looking blue, but factoy was very close to black. The paint I used on the 78 looks pretty close. I have a set painted on my 78, & on my 79 they are original yet, but not faded. They look very simular to each other.

I think if your trying to match the blue/black color, your trying to match a color that is already faded.

[68ragtop]

here's some pictures. now that I look at it closer, the 79 is starting to fade a little. So you can see a little blue in it, But, the bottom side that never sees light, is very much black.

[gtohurstjudge]

The original finish was black anodized. What I did on mine was sand all the
trim with 320 grit sandpaper and painted with Krylon 30 degree semi-flat black part
number 1613. Looks correct and lasts for years and years and easy to touch up if gets
a scratch or chip.

[Warren Seale]

Originally Posted by gtohurstjudge

The original finish was black anodized. What I did on mine was sand all the
trim with 320 grit sandpaper and painted with Krylon 30 degree semi-flat black part
number 1613. Looks correct and lasts for years and years and easy to touch up if gets
a scratch or chip.

The only problem with using paint is that there is no metallic in it. The original finisih appears to show the some metallic although not like metallic flake paint. I suppose it is possible that the finsh has worn thin thus showing the metallice sheen of the frame. As far back as I can remember (27 years) it looked like this.

Warren

[gtohurstjudge]

It looks metallic because it is worn. The blue tint also is a result of age.
You have to use paint because you can't remove the frame from the glass
to have it anodized.

[68ragtop]

Here is the comparison.

The top left is a top from my 80T/A it is original & faded.
The top right is in my 78, it has been repainted with
SEM trim black.


The bottom picture is the same tops, but I flipped the
80 top over to the bottom side. (it never sees daylight,
so it is not faded there.)

As you can see, the original finish is black. I really feel
that the SEM paint is very close, if not the same.
(Left side is factory, Right side is painted)

The top on the right is still in the car & the left one is
just sitting next to it on the roof. The appearance of
the rubber seal messes with the look a little.

I hope this clears it up a little.

[speedshopmike]

does anyone have a source besides gm for the weatherstrip on the window portion of the t top?
gm wants 3 arms and a neck for them.

[Tinindian6702]

Hasw anyone ever powder coated these mouldings black???
Can it be done?
Will it hold up?

[Warren Seale]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Here is the comparison.

The top left is a top from my 80T/A it is original & faded.
The top right is in my 78, it has been repainted with
SEM trim black.


The bottom picture is the same tops, but I flipped the
80 top over to the bottom side. (it never sees daylight,
so it is not faded there.)

As you can see, the original finish is black. I really feel
that the SEM paint is very close, if not the same.
(Left side is factory, Right side is painted)

The top on the right is still in the car & the left one is
just sitting next to it on the roof. The appearance of
the rubber seal messes with the look a little.

I hope this clears it up a little.

Yes it does. You've sold me on this. I know what I have to do.

Thanks
Warren

[MARINA 66]

I have a '78 MACHO T/A. How do I tell if the tops are Fisher or Hurst? Or are all '78's Fisher?? I need new seals as the previous owner did a messy job with adhesive.

[68ragtop]

The fisher T-tops are basically built in & the body line continues straight up from the back window. The windows seals are one piece, & go around the side window & the t-top. The hurst tops have a frame & are slightly smaller, most noticable in the center of the roof. I believe the Hurst version, say hurst on the glass, & the fisher say "safety flo-lite" Unless you have a very early 78, it should be fisher glass. Also, the hurst have two latches to lock them in & the fisher have one handle in the middle.

68RT

[Warren Seale]

Hey 68RAGTOP. Is that SEM trim black a flat, semiflat, or gloss finish?

Warren

[68ragtop]

I would say its between a flat & semi gloss. Maybe 30% gloss? Semigloss is a bit much. I have not seen a paint that is as close as the SEM. But, I am sure there are others out there.

here's a link http://www.sem.ws/product.php?product_id=133

[TransAm525]

Is the trim black the same paint used originally on the tail light bezels and window moldings of the the Special Edition cars?

[68ragtop]

It should be the same on the window trim, but the tail lights on my 78 have a bit more gloss. They have never been repainted, & I am not sure what % gloss the tail lights are. I thought only the S/E cars had black tail light trim in 78, but I could be wrong?