I even removed all the paint from the roll bar. One of the main reasons that I did this was because it was installed about a quarter inch off center and got scratched from the convertible top if you weren't careful. The first time that I got caught in a downpour, I hastily put up the top and scratched the bar again. Oh, well. On project for this summer is to design and build a removable wind deflector that attaches to the bar or to the hard top mounting points. I made a 400 mile trip with a storm window (metal mesh) screen duct taped to the roll bar and it makes the car so much more enjoyable at highway speeds with the top down.