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Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 22 2010, 08:09 PM

About a month ago I flattened my right fender while attempting to submerge under the bumper of a Chevy Tahoe. As embarrassing as that was, it forced me to take the car off the road for repairs. Given the splotchy, oxidized finish it was silly to try to match the paint, so the only logical path was to finally do the full cosmetic makeover I'd always intended.

After getting recommendations from the incredibly sympathetic members of the PNW contingent. I contacted Eurotech Bodywerkes to do the work. The owner is a 914 owner as is one of the metal massagers, Slow914. They mostly specialize in German stuff with some other interesting rigs sprinkled in for interest.

Here's the initial damage that triggered everything.



The original plan was to strip down as far as necessary to insure good adhesion, but after discovering numerous problems from previous repairs, it was taken down to bare metal.




Sail vinyl was removed and the trim holes filled.



I was offered a hood and fender by 914Junkie down in Vancouver, WA - thanks Paul. We were able to use the fender in the repair but the hood was a little too rusty. I also discovered that the hood off my parts car was too rusty, but finally I found one from rdauenhauer that worked - thanks Rich (and effutou101 - Chris for delivery).

The fender repair looks great.

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 22 2010, 08:18 PM

Eurotech has been great to work with every step of the way and they are really making great progress. The body is prepped and primered with color hopefully being sprayed tomorrow.



After looking at countless pics, I decided I really like the look of body color painted bumpers. The tits are history also. They didn't help in the last episode anyway.



The doors and hood have also got some color now.



It's getting exciting now. Can't wait to see this all come together. I'll post more as progress is made.

Posted by: McMark Apr 22 2010, 08:24 PM

Awesome!!! That's the color of my 914 as well. I'm interested to see how the bumpers end up.

Posted by: championgt1 Apr 22 2010, 09:20 PM

Eurotech did all the bodywork and paint on my car back in 2003. The paint still looks new. They do very nice work. Can't wait to see your car with paint on it.

Posted by: PanelBilly Apr 22 2010, 10:01 PM

Too nice

Posted by: Rand Apr 22 2010, 10:06 PM

Awesome Marc. I was going to flick you all kinds of crap..... And you wouldn't want to give ANYtech credit. Cuz....I thought you had some paint issues. Was I wrong????

I figured the strange paint - wigggy - faded - yada-damaged........ Combined with the latest turn of events..... Schwing!!

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 22 2010, 10:45 PM

Yeah, you figured right. I've had the car for over four years now. From the time I drove it home from SoCal I've wanted to make it purdy, but I became kind of attached to the cosmetic flaws because it's so much fun to drive and I didn't have to worry about chips and dings. But I'd also been looking at color schemes and thinking about what I'd like my car to look like. This has been a chance to put all those ideas to the test.

Along with the bumper tits and sail vinyl, the side warts have been removed and the lower panels will get a complementary accent color. The Mahles will also get some special treatment. Really looking forward to seeing how it all fits together.

Posted by: Todd Enlund Apr 22 2010, 11:00 PM

That's awesome Marc! Looking great... can't wait to see the result.

Posted by: messix Apr 22 2010, 11:37 PM

i need a green with envy smiley

Posted by: jcambo7 Apr 23 2010, 05:24 AM

Looking good!

Posted by: DNHunt Apr 23 2010, 06:22 AM

That's gonna be really nice Mark.

Dave

Posted by: Root_Werks Apr 23 2010, 02:00 PM

Oh man, that's gonna turn out nice!

Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Apr 23 2010, 02:50 PM

sweet

Posted by: patssle Apr 23 2010, 03:22 PM

Might be too late but might want to take off the plastic door stills. I took mine off and found out the metal had never been painted underneath. Had a little rust hole.

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 23 2010, 07:10 PM

Good point. It is a little late, plus the jams have been left alone. I will check it though as I may swap out those sills anyway.

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 23 2010, 07:46 PM

Dropping off some of Mikey914's nice seals gave me a good reason to visit the shop again this AM. I'm a noob at getting a car painted and I'm amazed at the difference a clear coat makes.



Making it look like liquid glass.





Color was scheduled to be squirted on the body this afternoon. Gonna be a long weekend of anticipation. I can procrastinate a project for years, but once it's going I'm not a patient person.

Posted by: greenie Apr 23 2010, 07:53 PM

I'm here for ya man.

Another Garage Queen huh?

Posted by: Tom Apr 23 2010, 08:03 PM

From the bad comes some good.
Tom

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 23 2010, 08:10 PM

Yeah, I may have to go park it next to that green POS in the other garage. Are you ever going to get that door handle fixed?

Posted by: TC 914-8 Apr 23 2010, 08:23 PM

Beautiful
Did you say when she is going to be ready?
For those of us who cant make WCR this year, we have to get together soon,
PST, Puget Sound Teeners

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 23 2010, 08:37 PM

Thanks Tony. It may be ready end of next week for http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=106195 in Issaquah.

Posted by: championgt1 Apr 23 2010, 08:45 PM

Marc, that is awesome!

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 26 2010, 06:08 PM

Eurotech just keeps rolling along. They shot color and clear over the weekend so when I stopped in this morning they were installing some seals and buffing out the trunk lids and doors.

The color is hard to judge in the harsh fluorescent but here's a contrast of the body color to the accent color that goes on the rockers and valances. For lack of a better name I'm calling it charcoal blue. Can't wait to see it in natural light (I'd have said sunshine, but this is the NW afterall )



Removing the sail vinyl accentuates the graceful body line running rearward from the sail.

Posted by: sixnotfour Apr 26 2010, 06:39 PM

I happened by euro-tech and oh there is Mark , sheesh kid in the candy store. Lookin Good , I cant wait to see it all together and the wheelvalancerocker combo in sunlight .
Very nice

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 27 2010, 05:44 PM

Another day and we're almost there. Lot's of progress on the reassembly. Can start to see how it all comes together.







Real happy with the way the Mahles look.



It's down to a little more assembly, a few more seals and get the tires mounted. This is like 12/25 all over again.

Posted by: effutuo101 Apr 27 2010, 05:48 PM

Sweet! very nice Marc! I look forward to seeing it this weekend!

Posted by: championgt1 Apr 27 2010, 05:54 PM

Who refinished the wheels? Those look sweet!!!

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 27 2010, 05:56 PM

Eurotech did them. Centers are the same color as rockers/valances/fog light grills/914 2.0 emblem

Posted by: RobW Apr 27 2010, 06:07 PM

I love it when a car comes together...

Posted by: kharma Apr 27 2010, 07:10 PM

Wow, those Mahles look fantastic!

Posted by: greenie Apr 27 2010, 07:35 PM

Wow!!

Now if we could just upgrade the appearance of the driver....

Looking good Kelty!

See you Sunday. ( can you throw the charger on the Green POS for me?)

Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Apr 27 2010, 08:04 PM

So this was all it took to get your car looking good? I should have brake checked you a long time ago

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 27 2010, 09:59 PM

I'm actually going to miss that 'cosmetically challenged' 914.

Posted by: Root_Werks Apr 28 2010, 08:45 AM

Posted by: slow914 Apr 29 2010, 12:08 AM

Talk about rubbin it in my face marc hahah

It hurts to watch such a sweet project come together so friggen fast wile mine rots in the parking lot

Just enough personalized options to make it very one of a kind while still keeping in great taste. I give my props

I guess I better come in early tomorrow hahaha

Posted by: 6freak Apr 29 2010, 07:42 AM

no you wont

Posted by: Tom Apr 29 2010, 09:25 AM

Looking forward to see this when finished Mark.

Tom

Posted by: Root_Werks Apr 29 2010, 02:47 PM

New pics? 914 back home yet?

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 29 2010, 03:11 PM

Not yet. Tomorrow I think. First I have to break my new tires out of jail (long story).

Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Apr 29 2010, 05:14 PM

I got time

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 29 2010, 06:18 PM

When the accident occurred that started this makeover I was on my way to a shop to discuss getting an alignment done because I'd prematurely worn my front tires and needed a new set. While the body and paint work has been progressing I ordered a set of B'stone RA960s from Tire Rack to be mounted on the newly refinished wheels. I had them shipped to a tire store in downtown Renton, at the corner of 2nd and Logan, right across from the high school. They have these nice big red garage doors and.......well, you said you had time Jon

So Monday I go by to let them know the wheels would be coming the next day. Nobody there, closed sign on the door and a note in the window saying they had a power problem with their compressor and wouldn't be open that day. OK, no sweat, I didn't have the wheels ready anyway. Tuesday I go by, same thing; now I'm getting worried cause they haven't been very busy and we've seen businesses closing all the time, right? I can see my tires sitting on the floor in their front sales room. This is a quasi-franchise operation so the next morning I track down the HQ in Memphis, TN to see if I can get a contact name and phone number. Find out the owner also owns a shop out in the boonies between Redmond and Fall City. The next day I drive out to this shop and find the owner who says that the mgr of the Renton store has had a death in the family and that's why the store was closed. He said he'd call in the PM and meet me in Renton so I could get my tires. No call. Today I drive back out to the boonies to find out what's up. We make an appointment for 3:00 and this time he shows. By 4:15 Discount Tire has them mounted, balanced and loaded in my truck. Was that long enough?



I'll drop the new rubber off in the AM and later tomorrow my 914 will be ready to go! Now all I have to do is figure out how to drive two cars home at the same time.

Posted by: Root_Werks Apr 30 2010, 08:59 AM

Marc, you have my number and I could pick up the tires/wheels from you today maybe even?

Give me a call if needed, be a good excuse to leave work today.

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 30 2010, 09:39 AM

We could meet up at Euro-tech when I pick up the car this PM.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 30 2010, 09:48 AM

Awesome Marc

Posted by: Root_Werks Apr 30 2010, 10:18 AM

I'll give you a call soon Marc. The only car I have is the 914.....which is on jackstands.

Posted by: aircooledtechguy Apr 30 2010, 11:11 AM

Marc, that looks GREAT!! I absolutely love what you did to the wheels too!! Looking forward to seeing it this weekend.

Posted by: effutuo101 Apr 30 2010, 11:57 AM

Marc, what time are you going to be at Euro tech? I may be in the area and be able to get Dan's stuff that much closer.

Posted by: effutuo101 Apr 30 2010, 11:59 AM

pm with phone number sent.

Posted by: Root_Werks Apr 30 2010, 12:00 PM

That'd be sweet!

I appear to still be at work.....not working....but still here.

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 30 2010, 01:14 PM

Still don't know an exact time but it looks like it will be end of day, 5 - 5:30 I'm guessing. I can call when I know better.

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 30 2010, 01:27 PM

We're in the homestretch now. Final buff and detailling in process. yeah, right

Posted by: effutuo101 Apr 30 2010, 01:30 PM

ouch, that will be to late for me.

Dan, the mcD's is like a 1/2 mile from Marc's house. maybe you could go early and do the swap?

Posted by: charliew Apr 30 2010, 01:46 PM

I bet he's trying to fix a few minor body work shrinkage areas. I bet it will look great outside in the daylight.

Posted by: Root_Werks Apr 30 2010, 02:26 PM

Chris, no worries on picking up the parts for me. I'll try to catch Marc tomorrow morning. I wanna see his 914!



Wow, that is looking great!

Posted by: effutuo101 Apr 30 2010, 02:28 PM

cool Dan, I agree, I can't wait to see marc's car.

Posted by: greenie Apr 30 2010, 08:02 PM

Where are the pics?

( I can't find the "this thread is useless with out the pics icon)

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 30 2010, 08:15 PM

It's home! It's beautimous!

And my camera is in my truck at the body shop

Pics tomorrow.

Posted by: Rand Apr 30 2010, 08:27 PM

With new shoes to boot? Congrats Marc. Carma.

Posted by: familienauto Apr 30 2010, 10:02 PM

Looks good Marc. I like how the painted bumpers turned out.

Zach

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 30 2010, 10:37 PM

When I picked up the car I got one pic and the camera battery died. Here's a tease.



More pics manana.

Posted by: messix Apr 30 2010, 11:11 PM

DAMN thats nice looking. what time are you guys gonna be at XXX? i need to pick up my daughter in sedro by 12p but i want to stop by and see you guys.

Posted by: KELTY360 Apr 30 2010, 11:16 PM

We'll probably be there by 10:00 - 10:15 so you should have plenty of time to get to Sedro.

Posted by: Eric_Shea May 1 2010, 08:16 AM

Posted by: McMark May 1 2010, 08:23 AM

The body color bumpers look sweet!. Can't wait to see more pictures.

Posted by: sixnotfour May 1 2010, 08:24 AM

http://www.eurotechbodywerkes.com/index.php?page=home

http://www.eurotechbodywerkes.com/index.php?page=map

Posted by: Eric_Shea May 1 2010, 08:26 AM

The requested document was not found on this server.

Posted by: sixnotfour May 1 2010, 08:40 AM

check again

Here is my moms car they did.
my dad bought in 77 , its been a 4 then 6 back to 4, for mom


Attached image(s)

Posted by: KELTY360 May 1 2010, 12:09 PM

Pics tell the story

Posted by: KELTY360 May 1 2010, 12:15 PM

mmm





I now find I have lots of details to address to match the quality of the finish. Things like painting the wiper arms and adjusting the antenna mount. Oh yeah, I also have to get some miles on the new rubber.

Posted by: messix May 1 2010, 12:30 PM

that is stunning!

very nice!!

bbq black paint on the wiper arms comes out good. the right satin finish.

Posted by: KELTY360 May 1 2010, 01:16 PM

aaaa

Posted by: effutuo101 May 1 2010, 02:03 PM

Very nice! see it and you tomorrow.

Posted by: Tom May 1 2010, 02:06 PM

Jeeze Marc, that just looks , well, BEAUTIFUL! I am a fan of the vinylless sail panel and that really makes your car look great. Oh, and the wheels just add to the theme, beauty.
Good job!
Tom

Posted by: 6freak May 1 2010, 03:10 PM

BEAUTIFUL

Posted by: plays with cars May 2 2010, 12:02 AM

Stunning! I like the look of the body color bumpers.

I saw a number of works in process at Eurotech, but hadn't seen a completed job. They do nice work.

Posted by: Eddie914 May 2 2010, 05:06 AM

FABULOUS!

Eddie

Posted by: DNHunt May 2 2010, 07:53 AM

HOH BABY

Posted by: KELTY360 May 2 2010, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the kind words. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. There are some bugs to work out; like getting the front trunk latch to release, but that's to be expected.

Funny thing is, I see pictures of it, like at the XXX show today, and I don't relate to it as my car yet. It's like your favorite pair of comfortable old shoes all polished up and with new soles. Gonna take some getting used to.

Posted by: effutuo101 May 2 2010, 10:18 PM

yep, I did a lot of work on my car and sometimes turn around and wonder who's car that is. It is sort of wierd.
Next project.
Anklebiters long lost cousin.