I don't live in a hot area, but I repainted the crazed white top on my '84
years ago.  I used single stage (no clear coat) gloss automotive enamel in
VW's Arctic White.  It was beautiful!  Last summer I painted the light brown
top on my '85 with the same type of paint computer matched and with a low
sheen to look more like the fiberglass top that it is.

You can get an HVLP spray gun from Harbor Freight for about $40 that works
just fine with any compressor for this job.  I did my '84 on the van with
careful masking and the seals removed, and the '85 was off, completely
stripped down, and on sawhorses.  Much easier!  Then I installed all new SS
fasteners, skylight hinges, luggage rack tie downs, gas springs, and seals.

Cost me about $300 in paint materials, professional auto paints are not
cheap! A half pint (all you need) was $90, and then there is the sealer,
catalyst, and thinners.  Oh, and then another $300 for the new bits!

Stuart
'85 Westy

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Kevin P. Gilleran
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 8:17 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Cool roof paint on material for vanagon camper tops?

Hi all,
What is the general consensus for those of us who live and work in the hot
areas of the country on painting the top of the vanagon with a reflective
white paint to keep the inside a little cooler? Has anyone done this
successfully and if so what material was used?

Thank you!

Kevin