Stitch

I'm looking to put a bed liner material on the roof of my XJ. I'm currently looking to use Durabak. Black is the color I want to use. I then will paint it a darker gray color with automotive paint from a rattle can. Wanted to see if anybody has done this and it the are happy with the final product?

Thanks

katowkalin

why?

200sportxj

ive seen a ton of people do it on the sides of their jeeps or bumpers. But id imagine if you roll on some bedliner its gonna be just as durable as a truck bed. So id say it would hold up, and as far as how it would look, its all in the eyes of the beholder, I wouldnt neccesarily like it tho

Stitch

The roof rack I built uses the roof of the vehicle as the floor. Just wanted something durable on the top. It's one of those projects you better be all in if your going to do it.

basegrinder

just make sure to prep.... I put some on the back add on step bumper just for laughs. sprayed it on over the paint... and it managed to just come off on its own.

granted it was just cheap stuff in a spray can from walmart....sorry don't remember the brand...

ZINGGG

Then yes, I'd say it's a good idea. Bedliner has a tendency to fade so if you want to keep the look of it, it's a good idea to put a top coat on it. But yeah, it'll hold up well.

Stitch

Has anyone ever thrown paint on their rolled on bed liner? On my first TJ the bed liner did fade a lot. Hoping paint will give it better UV protection.

ZINGGG

I've heard that there is a special UV protection coating that you can put on it. I think it's what gives bedliner that glossy sort of look. Try a home improvement type store.

Stitch

That would be killer. I'll look into it.

jeepin4fun

Stitch did you ever do this to your jeep? I was actually just doing research to do the roof of my xj this weekend.

stormitecture

Actually I'll be doing the same to my Jeep but for slightly different reasons. For me it is hail and debris protection as my Jeep is for storm chase duty. The main thing you absolutely need to make sure is how flexible the product is once applied (and the paint you add later). Unlike the sides, roof sheet metal is thinner, a larger overall suurface area, and more prone to deflection (I'm sure you've experienced this if already put junk up on there). In my case I also plan to use the roof as a platform for my cameras for filming purposes. Because if this, I may (likely) will weld some extra sheet metal to the roof. At the moment I plan in using that raptor stuff for DIY. Rhino I already know will work, so that is the last resort. Of course I also will be color matching to my Jeep which is red...so post painting isn't an issue...it has to be color matched at time of application.

Stitch

I did. I went with Heculiner roll on bed liner. Did a lot of prep work wanted to make sure it was going to have a good bond. After roughing up the paint on the roof, I then wiped it clean with acetone.

Applied the first coat with a quick pass letting it dry for about an hour. Still slightly tacky. Then applied the next two coats within an hour of each other.

Waited a good 24 hours and then masked off the top of the jeep for 3 coats of automotive paint.

I used about 3/4 of a gallon. Should have put another coat on just because the can doesn't like to be opened and closed. Lid won't go on tightly anymore. Little trick flip the can upside down for a second after you put the lid on and it will last longer.

So, the rack/lights I just built and put on. I think using the roof of the vehicle for the base of the rack was a good idea. Keeps the rack low profile and I think it's going to hold up well for may years of use.

Here's a few picks of the roof.

jeepin4fun

Thanks for the pics. Looks great. My jeep was originally a Arizona car so the roof and hood have zero clear coat left. Its not worth painting factory color since branches love the top of my jeep plus the added protection once I put a roof rack on would be nice.

I did some research and duplicolor makes a roll on bed liner that has Kevlar in it. Its also water based so there's no issue with reusing the can. And has UV protectant in it. All and all for $100 and a lot of prep it doesn't seem like a bad way to go. I'll post pictures when I get around to doing it.

What did you paint your hood with?

Stitch

The hood was painted with Dupicolor bed armor.

jeepin4fun

The spray or roll on? That's the stuff I was going to get. How do you like it?