Hardtop Custom Wrap

[5thGene]

So I bought this hardtop in the fall, and though it was a really nice dark blue and didn't look horrible on the car, I wanted to do something that emulated the look of the soft-top, but wasn't ready to commit to painting. So for $300 I thought I'd give this a try.

Thoughts?

Original Color (with original headlights, side markers and tail lights)



Dark Matte Black Vinyl Wrap (with upgraded HID light (OEM), side marker, tail lights and clear 3rd brake light)

[tommy583]

I think that matte black top looks sharp.

[Racer Boy]

I actually like both of them. The blue looks good with the silver, but the matte black does look like the convertible top at first glance.

[fridsten]

I think the matte black looks awesome.

[5thGene]

So far I like what it - even looked good after a hard PacNW rain.

[Hirsch990]

Another vote for the matte black.

[jsceash]

I did black carbon fiber.

[5thGene]

@jsceash Love that top of yours...looks really good on a black Boxster

@geraintthomas Looks kind neat with Red...I'd have never thought of that color myself.

[jsceash]

Originally Posted by 5thGene

@jsceash Love that top of yours...looks really good on a black Boxster

@geraintthomas Looks kind neat with Red...I'd have never thought of that color myself.

When I picked it up.

[geraintthomas]

I'll just leave this here.

[Justin327]

I have to say paint it silver or wrap it black.

In my opinion, the blue looks like you picked up a top that belongs on another car, the wrap is at least obviously intentional. But with a painted top it kinda looks like the guy in the Delta 88 with one blue fender that he picked up at a junkyard. If it was a non black rag top that's a whole different story, love the way that looks.

[geraintthomas]

Red and silver is a gorgeous combination for Porsche Boxsters makes it look far more expensive for some reason.

[geraintthomas]

Like this:

[jakeru]

I fell kind of lucky that the hard top I recently picked up is at least pretty close! (Ocean Blue metallic over Lapis Blue.)


To the original poster, I would favor leaving it in the current matte-black wrapping. It looks arguably a bit better than before, and also mimics on quick glance the matte-like black texture of a woven black fabric soft top.

Maybe we should start a "986 hard-top swap" thread...
If anyone in the Pacific Northwest has a lapis blue hardtop they want to swap for my ocean blue metallic, let me know!

mine also has the silver "S" ("titanium"? Lol!) beading around the rear window that I'd really ideally rather have in just black trim. (Maybe I can re-finish it black, or replace it...)

But overall, I really do like the look of the car a lot more than I thought I would with the hardtop actually on it.

[BRAN]

Re-amber our Boxsters!

I mean it!

[5thGene]

@jakeru - Wonder what your car would look like with matte black.

@jsceash - Way off topic, but how is your NHP Exhaust? Cat-back or from the manifolds? How's the 3K RPM drone?

@BRAN - love it.

[jsceash]

Originally Posted by 5thGene

@jsceash - Way off topic, but how is your NHP Exhaust? Cat-back or from the manifolds? How's the 3K RPM drone?

It is complete Headers without cats. Mid-pipes with 200 cnt. cats and the muffler. It is loud, I can not pass a 90db test to run on Lime Rock. off gas it's not to bad but as soon as you give it gas.

[5thGene]

@jsceash - too bad...been hunting for a new cat-back exhaust.