hardtop is getting painted- need spinlocks

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by Pirate50

I bought a used hardtop that is black but my car is Basalt Black Metallic. When I checked with the body shop that does all the Porsche work in town about painting it, they said I would need to have 2 of the seals that are attached, removed, which would destroy them. Those would cost about 200 bucks @ Sunset Imports. Body shop says it won't paint it without there removal. Anyone had this experience?

If you want a "perfect" job, I think that would be necessary.

If the shop did a good job masking the seals, and you aren't an absolute perfectionist I don't think it is necessary.

When I had my Miata top painted, one shop refused to do the work unless I agreed to let them remove the rear window. That would have required replacement of the weather strip and a possible broken window. As they explained it, they had a reputation for quality work to maintain and they were unwilling to compromise.

The shop that did the work told me that they used fishing line to hold the weather strip out of the way while they were painting. I didn't see them do it, but I've heard it is one of the auto body "tricks of the trade."