Hardtop needs some TLC..

[Project86]

My hardtop is less than sightly. So I want to do one of two things, either buff,sand,strip,etc back to or close to the original look or spray bedliner on it. I'd like to get back to the original look. Problem is the PO's have painted over the top. I got schooled today in sandblasting techniques and was told DO NOT sandblast fiberglass, even with sugar sand. The top has been weathering and it's now a combination of the original look(although weathered) and places of PO paint. Pictures can be seen on the build thread. So what does the jeep brain trust recommend? Die grinder with a scotchbrite pad? Electric grinder with a stripper wheel of some kind? Solvent? I guess the biggest question is can a hardtop be restored to it's original look(more or less) or am I going down a pointless path? Either way I want to keep the top and somehow make it look decent. So all ideas are welcomed. Ya'll's turn to speak.

 

[72rtchallenger]

have you ever tried blasting walnut shells,I have been told works on fiberglass good,,here is a site that recommends it on fiberglass boats,,I am going to try it on mine but its a ways off before I get to that point.
http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/applications/blast-stripping-boats.htm

 

[Busted Knuckles]

If the existing finishes are solid and well adhered to, what about spraying over it ? That would be the path of least resistance. Are you going for daily driver or show,... ? Does the top have scratches down into the glass ?

If you going down to the glass, given the item itself, Id probably go chemical strip/scrape, followed with a pressure washer (hot water if you can access one) or Id finish on top if the substrates below are solid. What about a different top ? Ive junked 3 Cj hard tops in recent years because I could not give them away, have you looked around for a different one ?