My fiberglass camper dripped Gelcoat residue all over the hood of my Black 2nd Gen nd won't come out of the paint. So Off I go to get Line X premium applied. Line X dealer wants me to remove the hood but I'm concerned how to remove the hood and not cause a crease when removing. Do you guys remove the front two bolts off first with a temporary board supporting the hood? I can see it maybe lowering just a bit while unbolting and causing a wrinkle.

Do you loosen all 4 bolts first while supported and then proceed? Thanks a bunch for any thoughts.

Two man process. First take a scratch awl and trace the hood hinges in their current position. The two men loosen both fasteners till nearly out while supporting the hood. Then both men at the last second remove the bolts by hand and just lift the hood off. This is the proper way of doing it.

Thanks Mike. I hoping its not devaluing the truck doing the Line X.

 $600 to prep and repaint at a body shop. Half that for Line X

Edited January 31, 20169 yr by JAG1

My friend painted his with aerosol bed loner in rattle cans. Not as textured as regular bed liner. Looks good on a hood! Might do my rocker panels with it.

I hate to say it but, "Black is a B!t©h!" My old 1973 Dodge Charger was paint black in California. Beautiful car with black paint, black vinyl top, and tinted windows. Didn't take long for scratches and other issues to start showing up.

2 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

I hate to say it but, "Black is a B!t©h!" My old 1973 Dodge Charger was paint black in California. Beautiful car with black paint, black vinyl top, and tinted windows. Didn't take long for scratches and other issues to start showing up.

You got that right if you don't wax once a year she looks like she's a grandma. And the flat surface shows more than sides.

Joe, Thanks for the advice but, learned long time ago me and spray paint on large areas don't do so well

Edited January 31, 20169 yr by JAG1

Mine needs paint also. I am going to wrap for now until I have money for paint. I hope the vinyl does not prove to difficult to remove after the sun bakes on it. 

3 minutes ago, dripley said:

Mine needs paint also. I am going to wrap for now until I have money for paint. I hope the vinyl does not prove to difficult to remove after the sun bakes on it. 

Doesn't take much to hose the truck with acid.

Dave, I think you might have a mess later in the prep process. How about waxing?

Dang, I better learn soon how to post pics.... you guys will want a look and I'll want to hear what you think.

2 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Doesn't take much to hose the truck with acid.

I saw cleanser used once, It looked pretty good.

7 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Doesn't take much to hose the truck with acid.

That does sound a bit extreme.

7 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

Dave, I think you might have a mess later in the prep process. How about waxing?

Dang, I better learn soon how to post pics.... you guys will want a look and I'll want to hear what you think.

The possibility of problems does exist especially on horizontal surfaces. As far a waxing goes, the clears is near 50% gone on the hood and the roof. A while back I tried sanding the roof and applied a new clear coat out of a rattle can. The results were poor. Looked good at first and then I guess the old clear coat kept failing and it now looks pretty crappy. Most folks dont see it though and I figured it was worth a shot. Left my camera at the job or I would post a photo. 

Call me in the evening I'll teach you how to do it. Super simple.

Edited January 31, 20169 yr by JAG1

When marking the position of the hood hinge use an oil based Sharpie®  marker pen. If you scratch into the paint then there is a place for rust to develop.   

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Sharpie/N-5yc1vZ1d1?cm_mmc=SEM|THD|google|D25H+Sharpie&mid=suY9c2bNi|dc_mtid_8903jx325196_pcrid_89035957957_pkw_%2Bsharpie %2Bpen_pmt_b_product__slid_&gclid=CMj1h9LP1MoCFc1ffgodAgIMvg 

I thought about the rust too. Mike is probably meaning a lite surface scratch. I thought about some blue tape.

Edited January 31, 20169 yr by JAG1

Yeah I normally just scratch the paint not down to bare metal. Sharpie might work kind of hit miss thing. If you wash areas with solvent it works better. Alight scratch is visible but hides good.

Wanted everyone to know that the newer premium Line-X has good reports. It doesn't grey or get dull in the sun. I think it's going to look pretty good.

Will need pics before, after, and 1-3 year(s) later.    

Daniel.... you sure are pickey

You should recall the suggestion I have made about AL's Liner:





You can use the OEM paint code to pigment the liner and you can make it as smooth or rough as you want it. You could literally make your hood look darn near like it never has the liner on it in the first place.

Edited February 1, 20169 yr by hex0rz

I've got raptor liner. It can be colored with OEM paint as well.

I roll on lined my entire truck with duplicolor liner until I can afford to paint it. Keep in mind that Line X will be a mother to remove if you decide the paint it later.

21 hours ago, JAG1 said:

Thanks Mike. I hoping its not devaluing the truck doing the Line X.

 $600 to prep and repaint at a body shop. Half that for Line X

This is why I chose the wrap route. I got he roll of vinyl for cost $250 and the installer is my son and he owes me $$$. The install labor is already paid for. All I need to do is the prep work.