We were able to repaint my top without removal.

Removed front luggage rack and popped the top slightly, removed weather
stripping, masked off and painted.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d9eg49zqldz2y62/AABFW1b40gKX6tjQfuZQEoKEa?dl=0

Turned out nice.  Used an epoxy enamel primer on the body, base coat and
clear.  Same paint/clear on the top.

Jack

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Michael
Sent: Saturday, March 7, 2015 9:59 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: PREPING FOR PAINT JOB ON 87 WESTY

The bolts I'm referring to are the ones on the actual fiberglass top that
take a flathead screwdriver to get out.

Currently, they are in there so tightly that all a screwdriver is doing is
stripping the head.

I don't have a torch and was wary of using one on the top.

Mike

> On Mar 6, 2015, at 10:19 PM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Which bolts are you talking about, Mike? To take the poptop off, you
> remove four nuts on the back end, easy, and four nuts that attach the
> spring-loaded lift mechanism. All of these should loosen up fairly
> easily . . . I wouldn't try to remove the rear hinges from the poptop
> itself.
>
> Marc Perdue
>
>> On Fri, Mar 6, 2015 at 4:50 PM, Michael <mikewelldon@icloud.com> wrote:
>> Any advice on getting those Pop top bolts out? Mine...will not move. I
though about using an impact screwdriver, and figured that might end up in
disaster.
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Mar 6, 2015, at 3:26 PM, Edward V Barger <edvbarger@mac.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> HI
>>>
>>> preparing to paint our 87 west pop  top
>>>
>>> will be pulling the windows and replacing the seals
>>>
>>> also removing the top  to paint
>>>
>>> Keeping it the same dark grey bottom  with the light grey pop top
>>>
>>> will paint the bottom bit of the body with the bed liner paint  to
>>> reduce the rock chips from gravel / dirt roads
>>>
>>> Also plan to ad another of the utility boxes just behind the drivers
>>> side door  this is to accommodate a 12 volt plug to plug in the
>>> solar panel  the  controls fuse box and inverter are mounted behind
>>> the drivers seat on the side of the cabinet  and the batteries are
>>> under the drivers seat  so think this is a good place  to put the
>>> utility box
>>>
>>> any and all  feed back  comments  etc  etc   welcomed   want to do it
correctly
>>>
>>>
>>> Thinking will need
>>>
>>> Seals for pop top and luggage rack
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Seals for the  windows : windshield ,  rear hatch  and the 4 side
>>> windows
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Wipers for the two  front doors
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Seals for the  refrigerator vent
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Seals for the 3 boxes on the drivers side for the utilities
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The door seals  seem to be OK  so do not plan to replace them
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I already have the additional utility box  but not installed yet
>>> will do that at the body shop I have a shop picked and have a price
>>> on the total paint and body work
>>>
>>> But will need to find an experienced person to remove and instal the
windows   thinking of having them tinted at the same time ???
>>> what else am I missing  and where to I get the best quality and
>>> price  on all
>>>
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> ed
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Edward V Barger
>>> edvbarger@mac.com <mailto:edvbarger@mac.com> BARGER LITE
>>> ed@barger-lite.com BARGER-LITE.COM
>>> 310 401 0633