Reply With QuoteEddie had an issue with his hardtop above the rear window. I believe the dealership replaced the entire hardtop.Originally Posted by Sea Serpent
Sent from my iPhone using JL Wrangler Jeep Forum mobile app
Earlier this year I had noticed an area of missing paint above the rear window's left hinge and very thin paint throughout the recessed area that the rear window rest in while closed. This hard top has the black satin finish factory paint that I prefer on these hard tops. I've taken it to the dealership for them to assess it and send pictures into whoever makes decisions at FCA. Immediately the paint and body shop manager stated that given the location of the missing paint, the only way to fix is to repaint the entire top (requires side glass removal also) since he cannot match this paint. He explained that this hard top paint requires a special type of application process since it is applied electrostatically and etc...
Okay, so a repaint will consist of 2 stage paint and will definitely be more or less shiny. I am 100% certain that is not the look I want. I was told we have to wait on FCA to decide on whether to repaint or replace the top. Anyone dealt with this type of problem before? I'm looking for something to help avoid a top repaint that I know I'll hate.
Eddie had an issue with his hardtop above the rear window. I believe the dealership replaced the entire hardtop.
Sent from my iPhone using JL Wrangler Jeep Forum mobile app
Good to know it's something they've handled before and a replacement was approved. I'm still awaiting a reply from my dealership. I'm just glad I've held off getting the headliner kit for my top since its most likely to be replaced.
Can you post some pictures.
Jeep JT GLADIATOR FORUM: www.JT-Gladiator.com
Build Thread: https://jlwrangler.com/showthread.ph...T-Build-Thread
Here's Eddie and Cindy's JL hardtop issue: https://jlwrangler.com/showthread.ph...t-Would-You-Do
Sounds a little different than what you're dealing with though.
Jeep JT GLADIATOR FORUM: www.JT-Gladiator.com
Build Thread: https://jlwrangler.com/showthread.ph...T-Build-Thread
I'll definitely get some soon, just been really busy at work. Been working so much I thought today was Thursday LOL.
Wow! That's much worse and more visible than my paint issue. Based on what I was told, they cannot touch these hard tops up that have the black satin finish and from the description of the steps required for repainting the entire top (including the two front panels) are time consuming and will not match the factory color or sheen. Not to mention it will absolutely cause me to dislike it. Still waiting on word from the dealership.
Here are some pictures showing the missing paint above the left hinge on the rear window. Best I could do in my garage.
I just looked at ours. It has a little bit of the same thing. I never noticed it before. I don't think we'll do anything with it to be honest.
Jeep JT GLADIATOR FORUM: www.JT-Gladiator.com
Build Thread: https://jlwrangler.com/showthread.ph...T-Build-Thread
If that was all mine had I may have just lived with it too. It must have been a run of hard tops with this issue then. Need to compare build dates. Also, to be accurate, mine also had a larger thin paint area in the rear window recess that the dealership body shop attempted to repaint with flat black and it looks worse to me than before they touched it. Pictures are unable to pick up the difference in paint color and texture. This touch up occurred at the same time they were repairing the bubbling paint on my right rear door at the hinges. You should look there for any paint issues too. Anyway, I'm still waiting on word from my dealer for their plan of action. Since they botched an attempt to hide a paint issue, maybe it wont be too hard to get an approval for a new top.
Posting Permissions