I painted bottom and up 1″ on sides all around per the building instruction suggestion . Several thousand miles of use has informed me that painted area is NOT where gravel strikes occur at all. They occur on the front of panels #2. My answer is a padded bra with the clam shell vents looking like, you know, nipples. Its a blue sunbrella halter top – with the halter fastening around the roof fan bezel. Looks and works great. Padding is aluminum covered bubble wrap.