I painted my snug top

About a month after I bought my truck I bought a silver camper shell. I knew ahead of time if I couldn't find a used one color matched Impulse Red (3p1) I was going to try and paint whatever I did find. Well here is what I did so far and how much it cost me.

used topper with ski rack $450
round trip road munchies and fuel to pick it up $60.10
new lock and 3rd brake light $98.42
paint, clear and sandpaper $88.26

Total $696.78

If I were to do it again I wouldn't sand down any low spots. I went too deep and hit the original paint (black), which required more red to cover than expected. I also would have sanded the top with finer sand paper. The top of this shell is rough. I used Dupli Color color match paint and clear. Coverage on the back, front and sides are good, but I had to dump a lot of paint on the top because of the large surface area. It is also a little uneven on the top. I used 8 cans of paint and 3 clear and 1000 grit sandpaper. I held the shell door up to the truck and the truck is a little more maroon than the new paint. I'm going to let the paint cure for a few days before I put the shell on the truck and wire everything up. So far, I'm happy. I knew the paint wasn't going to be perfect, but I wanted the experience of trying it out anyway.

 

Looks good man. i think you got a pretty good deal there even if it doesnt match perfectly.

 

thanks,
there is a local company that has a used Impulse Red shell for double cabs but they want $1000 for it. I figure I could come out under that much even if I have a shop repaint it if it flakes in a few years.

 

finally got around to the install. it took about a week of sitting in the garage to stop off gassing paint, so I didn't mind. figure it was curing. I ran the 3rd brake light and everything checks out. there is a factory hole in the bed up under the rail, right about where the 'snug top' label sits. I ran the wires through there and saved drilling an extra hole in my bed. I spliced in a 2 wire quick disconnect so I can take the cap off easily.

 

the other set of wires is for the interior dome light. any suggestions on where to slice this?

 

dude that looks awesome! was it hard to paint? Im looking for a 04 dc and if i find a cheap cap for it then i want to go this route to

 

hey thanks. it wasn't hard, I just took my time with taping the windows and made sure to tuck the tape into the window frame. cleaned really well with alcohol after a light sanding and went to town. the top looks like shit and there is a huge gloss difference between the shell and the truck. I'm glad the shell at least came with a rack. I don't know how long it will last before it peels, but I'm super happy with it as of now.

 

here are a few pics of what wires to splice.

green w red strip is hot

white is ground

 

Damn dude thats awesome you painted it!

 

too funny. i just picked up a used snugtop exactly like yours today here in Hawaii. Its impulse red and my truck is white so it has to be painted. Anyhow, i have to hook up the third brake light as well and was wondering where to splice. The picture you showed how to splice is that coming from behind the drivers side tail light?

 

^this
I need to do this too and was wondering what the best way to go about it was.

btw - - nice job!!

 

Ok nevermind. I just went for it. I follwed your tutorial and it worked like a charm! I just spliced in behind the drivers tail. Thanks for the how to... now I just gotta get it painted.

 

Me likey! Good job man!

 

Nice job....well documented. I need to do the same with my 98

 

That cap looks good. I'm on the hunt for an impulse red shell at the moment. I'm looking between New Mexico and Arizona.

 

Looks good and I can appreciate wanting to do it yourself. Food for thought though, at my local Maaco I got my 6ft ARE fiberglass topper painted Radiant red and cleared for $250 with a 5 year warranty. I probably wouldve tried to paint mine myself as well but I just didn't have the time.

 

Looks good man! Turned out well. Glad you learned from it. To me, its all in the prep work that really makes rattle can turn out good. You did a pretty good job id say!


also, for future reference to anyone.. check out this place..a bit more expensive..but i think the colors should match perfect..
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

can get spray cans or quarts i think.

 

Old thread but I did the same... I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow... I'm up in Vegas and found mine in lake havasu. My truck is metallic grey but the shell was white.. drove it like that for a week then I went to a few kragen's or whatever autoarts shop and got color matched paint along with a few cans of clear... pics to come

 

I picked up a snug top that was pretty beat up for $275 looking to paint the entire thing "satin black" to match my flares and rear bumper.

My question is are there only one pair of wires for the 3rd led brake light and the dome light? Because I have to replace my 3rd brake light and there are no plugs just 1 set of wires.

 

Replace it with a battery powered led dome that sticks on. the idea that the cap manufacturers have is that you have to turn on your running lights to turn on the cap light. That is inconvenient in real life.

Brandon