Not sure this is the right forum, but... Referbing a pickup topper?

[SplashMan]

Has anyone ever done this before? I just picked up a Brahma topper for my 250 and it is in decent shape, but needs some new struts for the door and I also need to repaint it either grey to match my 250 or black. I did some research and found out that the topper is made of a "thermoplastic". Any ideas on what I will have to do to prep it for painting? Will I need a special type of paint?
I also found a nice online store for replacemant parts, but I may need to have some small angle iron made up to reinforce the corners and I need to get some cauking done on it.

 

[merc2dogs]

A lot of the newer bumpers are made of thermoplastic, so body shops should be able to tell you what kind of paint they'd use, there are special formulae designed for thermoplastic

also, with most bumpers and plastic cars (some dodge and saturn) you use a flex agent in regular auto paint to allow the paint to flex. otherwise it cracks and doesn't stick.

finaly, rustoleum and krylon both sell thermoplastic 'bonding' paint in rattle cans.

Ken.

 

[MONMIX]

flex agent that is the ticket.

Beyond that all is normal.