jdogporsche

Hello all. Well summer time is here, so time to get the 911 out of the garage and get her spruced up for fun! The PO (actually I think the PO before the PO) painted the large bar between the rear window glass and the targa top (the bar that says Targa on it) black. It should not be painted on the 77, so I want to get it back to that brushed steel look it usually has. What is the best method to do that? Paint thinner? Some sort of brush? Praying?

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

lfe132

On my 84 Targa (and i'm sure your's is the same) the bar, or specifically the bar cover that is painted black is held in place by 4 nuts, 2 on each side underneath the wheel wells. Remove the nuts, any attached weather stripping and the bar (cover) will come off. At least that's how it works on paper. The nuts may break off the stud in which you'll have a little more of a project on your hands. If you don't remove the bar, I wouldn't use any kind of paint remover in fear it might come in contact with the body paint. I suppose you could use some kind of wire wheel on a drill motor to scrape off the paint.
Good luck.

jdogporsche

Wow, underneath the wheel wells? I would never have guessed that. I will check it out this weekend. Thanks for the tip!

GothingNC

Here is a good thread on the Targa bar removal

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=162443

John

jdogporsche

Thanks a bunch. Well good to know about removing the targa seal. I need a new one of those anyway, so that works out ok for me. Looks like a semi fun weekend project

Thanks!

psychoideas

The original finish was 'brushed' stainless steel. Once I got it off I'd use nothing but paint stripper and water to remove the old paint. You don't want to damage the 'brushed' surface.

SeattlePorsche

Go to schuck's auto supply and ask for aircraft stripper and a box of gloves. Carefully put it on a small section, then wipe it off with paper towels. You should get to bare metal without distorting the brushed look, no problem. My painter did this to my rear deck 69 grill that someone had also painted over.

If you can remove the bar from the car, that would be better, because you don't want any aircraft stripper on your paint. When you are done, hose it down, then rewash it with soap and water. Should take you about 4 weeks...

jdogporsche

4 weeks!! It's not like I'm doing the brakes! I am bringing her to the shop this week to get the clutch fixed as well! I can't wait!

jdogporsche

4 weeks huh? How's this my friend? Got the targa bar and around the rear glass, as well as around the windshield in front. I still have to do the trim around the door windows. Perhaps next weekend

SeattlePorsche

Oh, you are the man! Looks like I buy the sushi this week!

(are those some hot brakes I see under those Fuchs...?)

Good job bud.

GothingNC

Looks much better

Did you remove the Targa bar?

John

jdogporsche

No I did not. The aircraft stripper was quite thick, so instead I took a small paint brush, and some painters tape (not too sticky so not to tear off any of my car's paint afterwards), and went from there. I was able to get all of the black off though, as I could even pull the seal back just a bit to make sure. Not a drop on my paint job.

GothingNC

Thanks.

I am thinking about the same project on my 82 Targa but am unsure if it will be the stainless brushed look since it came from the factory painted black.

John

Edgy01

You did a great job! Thanks for returning it to stock.

jdogporsche

Thanks guys! I plan to do the rest of the painted trim that is not supposed to be painted, this week. I do like that original look too!