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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Targa Top Refreshing

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Mar 6 2005, 10:11 PM

I'm not ready to totally refinish the top but I would like to get rid of that faded look if I can.

Know of any products out there that can bring some life back into the top and possibly the sail panel vinyl too. Kinda like what rubbing compound does for faded paint.

Posted by: 96conv Mar 6 2005, 10:46 PM

I think Back to Black will work well. I use it on all black trim surfaces on my 911, plastic or rubber.

Posted by: Qarl Mar 6 2005, 10:58 PM

Anybody know how to reproduce the pebble texture to near original?

What is the process for redoing the pebble texture? Do you sand the old stuff off first and then respray, or do you spray over the existing?

Thanks!

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Mar 6 2005, 11:23 PM

QUOTE (96conv @ Mar 6 2005, 08:46 PM)
I think Back to Black will work well. I use it on all black trim surfaces on my 911, plastic or rubber.

Is this something I'll find at my FLAPS?

Thanks

Posted by: gregrobbins Mar 7 2005, 12:17 AM

There was a big discussion on refinishing tops on the Yahoo 914 group. Seemed that a number of folks had used pick up truck bed liner with great success. I understand it sets up with a textured finish.

Anyone here tried it?

Posted by: Type 4 Mar 7 2005, 12:53 AM

Black Chrome works too. Apply with a sponge do three coats. it lasts over a year here in the so cal sun.

Posted by: iamchappy Mar 7 2005, 08:03 AM

Ive have very good success with vinyl carpet dye, But buy the good stuff from PPG or Dupont in quarts,
I have also tried the stuff in a rattle can , its way to hard to spray on a smooth finish.

Posted by: TC/914 Mar 7 2005, 08:11 AM

I refinished my top with "chip guard", it's the stuff that's sometimes sprayed on the rockers and lower panels of new cars to protect against rock chips. It comes in clear and a few colors and will take a nice semi-flat top coat to match the stock black color. You can also control the pebble finish by the number of coats applied and the length of time between coats. You can get it at all of the automotive paint jobbers/outlets. The end result is pretty perfect.

Luck,

TC

Posted by: JmuRiz Mar 7 2005, 09:59 AM

Oh come on....you can't have a post like that and not show us a picture!!!

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Mar 7 2005, 10:09 AM

Here's what we have so far -

Back to Black - Sounds like this will work for the top, sail vinyl, and rubber on the bumper top

Truck bed liner - Prolly tough but more than I want I think

Black Chrome - Sound interesting, might have to find some and read the bottle

Vinyl Carpet Dye

Chip Guard

We'll see what I come up with and I will post results when I get it done. Thanks guys.

Posted by: Travis Neff Mar 7 2005, 10:32 AM

I would think that you have to buzz down at least a little of that texture before applying new texture, otherwise it'll prolly look like stucco. Ralf Hartmann is swearing by truck bed liner that comes in a rattle can, he said 2 cans will do it. He also had pictures on his webshots site. Looked pretty good. Original? I dunno, all my 914's had their tops redone and painted and all looked different.

Posted by: StratPlayer Mar 7 2005, 10:50 AM

I would look at this thread it might help you out

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=4286&hl=

Posted by: MarkG Mar 7 2005, 12:56 PM

Forever Black worked for me, mail order only I believe. Do NOT order it from AA, as they will send you Tire Gel even though catalog lists Bumper and Trim conditioner.

It actuallt dyes the item black again (does not have any texture qualities to it). Did the bumpers on my '76 this weekend and they look new.

Posted by: azbill Mar 7 2005, 06:06 PM

I used Back to Black. About four coats. Don't know how long it will last in the westher. My top is in the truck all the time.

Posted by: BMartin914 Mar 7 2005, 06:57 PM

I know a guy - Teknon on this bord, that used black shoe dye. The top looked pretty good at a glance. Don't know how it would hold up over the years though.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Mar 7 2005, 09:39 PM

I saw a car pait shop use that stuff they sell at pep boys to coat the inside of the wheel wells. Came out real good; be sure to wear a real dust mask, the stuff is very strong.

Posted by: AZ914 Mar 8 2005, 10:45 AM

I used the truck bed liner approach. The look is very nice. You can vary the texture depending on how far back you hold the can.

I put mine on pretty fine so it ended up a little rough to the touch which can be a pain for towels and wash mitts! If I were to do it again, I think I'd hold the can closer, get it on a little thicker. If you try this route, practice on some wood. Oh yeah, I sanded my top and put used the primer filler method to fill in some holes where the old texture had been rubbed through when mounted in the trunk.

Posted by: StratPlayer Mar 8 2005, 09:43 PM

They sell the Forever Black kit at Performance Products

http://www.performanceproducts.com/ProductPage.aspx?productname=Forever+Black&productid=102536&productType=10&partnumber=

Posted by: redshift Mar 8 2005, 09:52 PM

Wurth crap! Original!

You can scrape the whole thing bare, and start over... perfection in one try!

No, I've only seen it done...

M