So. Cal. body shop recommendation

Nc72922 · 06-09-2020, 05:24 PM

Hello all,

My penthouse top is starting to show its age and needs some attention. It's not leaking so far but there are hairline cracks starting to show. The raptor line or line-x option is very appealing to me but I don't have the time or knowledge to tackle something like that right now. Can anyone recommend a shop in So. Cal. that is familiar with SMB tops and do the job properly?

Thanks,

Matt

capnkurt · 06-23-2020, 04:16 PM

Hi Matt,

My top was in really bad shape. The gel coat was cracked and the clear coat was peeling off everywhere. I had Linex of El Cajon coat the top and color match it. I’m extremely happy with the results, but it wasn’t cheap. Before I had it coated, I swapped out all the stock penthouse bolts with (username) Gooseberry’s tee-bolts so that I wouldn’t have to worry about the stock bolts ever leaking. Btw, my top never showed any signs of leaking, but when i removed the stock bolts, there were a few that were rusty almost their entire length, indicating that water WAS getting in. Installing the Tee-bolts (called tee-nuts in the forums) was a really easy thing to do as long as you have access to a ladder, a flat parking spot and a dremel or hacksaw with which to cut off the excess bolt length.

Nc72922 · 06-23-2020, 08:32 PM

Thank you! I will look into it. My top doesn’t look anywhere near as bad as your before pics. Your after pics look amazing though. Assuming I can afford it I’m definitely gonna go that route. After replacing the bolts as recommended. Thanks again!

bigriver · 06-24-2020, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnkurt

My top was in really bad shape. The gel coat was cracked and the clear coat was peeling off everywhere. I had Linex of El Cajon coat the top and color match it. I’m extremely happy with the results, but it wasn’t cheap.

Mind sharing ballpark $ of what that Linex job cost Capn? It's an issue a lot of us are going to need to address at some point. Thanks

dig255 · 06-24-2020, 05:20 PM

Sam's West Coast A/B in North Hollywood 1 818-509-9939 SE corner of Oxnard and Laurel Canyon behind car wash.
Fixed my SMB Ford E350 in the time promised for less than the insurance company paid.
Did a great job for me.
My damage and it effected the interior floor
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