Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

2 Pages V  1 2 >  
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Best way to refinish a targa top?, looking for advice
KaptKaos
post Mar 17 2012, 10:08 PM
Post #1


Family
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,009
Joined: 23-April 03
From: Near Wausau
Member No.: 607
Region Association: Upper MidWest
Hello,

My targa top looks like hell. I'd like to refinish it. I'd like to get rid of the pebbled finish and have it smooth, but not sure of the best way to make that happen.

Looking for advice? What has worked for you?

FYI - I did the truck bed liner stuff a few years ago, and the results didn't last.

TIA
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
audio_file
post Mar 17 2012, 10:21 PM
Post #2


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 295
Joined: 6-August 11
From: Everett, Wa
Member No.: 13,409
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
I'd like to know too, smoothing/refinishing the top is on my to-do list...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Elliot Cannon
post Mar 17 2012, 10:33 PM
Post #3


914 Guru
*****

Group: Retired Members
Posts: 8,487
Joined: 29-December 06
From: Paso Robles Ca. (Central coast)
Member No.: 7,407
Region Association: None
Sand it smooth and paint it.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
KaptKaos
post Mar 17 2012, 10:46 PM
Post #4


Family
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,009
Joined: 23-April 03
From: Near Wausau
Member No.: 607
Region Association: Upper MidWest
QUOTE(Elliot Cannon @ Mar 17 2012, 09:33 PM) *

Sand it smooth and paint it.



I tried that Elliyut, but no matter what grade of paper I used, I couldn't get it smooth. That original pebbled finish was giving me fits. I worried that if I pressed too hard, I would get into the fibers. Am I being too chicken?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mrbubblehead
post Mar 17 2012, 11:19 PM
Post #5


Twodollardoug
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,155
Joined: 17-December 10
From: calimesa ca.
Member No.: 12,492
Region Association: Southern California
i just sanded and painted mine. i also filled in the rain gutter. i used a da sander and 80 grit paper. just dont stay in one area too long. sand edge to edge. it took quite awhile to get it smooth. there is a primer then gel coat so you wont get into the fibers. you will see bumps slowly go away. and it will go from black to gray. stop when you get tho the gray....
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Elliot Cannon
post Mar 17 2012, 11:20 PM
Post #6


914 Guru
*****

Group: Retired Members
Posts: 8,487
Joined: 29-December 06
From: Paso Robles Ca. (Central coast)
Member No.: 7,407
Region Association: None
QUOTE(mrbubblehead @ Mar 17 2012, 10:19 PM) *

i just sanded and painted mine. i also filled in the rain gutter. i used a da sander and 80 grit paper. just dont stay in one area too long. sand edge to edge. it took quite awhile to get it smooth. there is a primer then gel coat so you wont get into the fibers. you will see bumps slowly go away. and it will go from black to gray. stop when you get tho the gray....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Totally
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
StratPlayer
post Mar 18 2012, 12:35 PM
Post #7


StratPlayer
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,278
Joined: 27-December 02
From: SLC, Utah
Member No.: 27
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
If you don't want to go thru the hassle of sanding then painting check out this thread.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act...l=forever+black
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Vysoc
post Mar 18 2012, 12:53 PM
Post #8


Vysoc
***

Group: Members
Posts: 586
Joined: 27-August 09
From: Young Harris, Georgia
Member No.: 10,737
Region Association: South East States
I painted mine White to better reflect the hot Florida Sun.
I also removed the sails.

Take a DA and just keep sanding until you get the rough texture smooth. Make sure you get it as smooth as possible, then I sprayed an epoxy primer and then applied the actual paint.

It is not perfect but it does look good, like anything else the amount of work you do getting the top smooth before applying the primer and paint will pay off in the finish work. I never got too far into the fiberglass, it was not and issue.

The white really does a nice job of reflecting the heat.
Attached Image
Attached Image
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ventedrib
post Mar 18 2012, 03:54 PM
Post #9


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 104
Joined: 10-August 08
From: Monroe La.
Member No.: 9,406
Region Association: South East States
QUOTE(KaptKaos @ Mar 17 2012, 11:08 PM) *

Hello,

My targa top looks like hell. I'd like to refinish it. I'd like to get rid of the pebbled finish and have it smooth, but not sure of the best way to make that happen.

Looking for advice? What has worked for you?

FYI - I did the truck bed liner stuff a few years ago, and the results didn't last.

TIA

Just sanded mine smooth as a babies butt have not painted yet
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Elliot Cannon
post Mar 18 2012, 04:20 PM
Post #10


914 Guru
*****

Group: Retired Members
Posts: 8,487
Joined: 29-December 06
From: Paso Robles Ca. (Central coast)
Member No.: 7,407
Region Association: None
QUOTE(Vysoc @ Mar 18 2012, 11:53 AM) *

I painted mine White to better reflect the hot Florida Sun.
I also removed the sails.

Take a DA and just keep sanding until you get the rough texture smooth. Make sure you get it as smooth as possible, then I sprayed an epoxy primer and then applied the actual paint.

It is not perfect but it does look good, like anything else the amount of work you do getting the top smooth before applying the primer and paint will pay off in the finish work. I never got too far into the fiberglass, it was not and issue.

The white really does a nice job of reflecting the heat.
Attached Image
Attached Image
Attached Image

Be sure and wear a respirator/filter of some kind when you do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
lonewolfe
post Jun 12 2012, 12:56 PM
Post #11


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 819
Joined: 12-September 11
From: Oakland, CA
Member No.: 13,549
Region Association: Northern California
I stripped the finish off my roof using aircraft paint stripper and a scraper. Probably takes longer than sanding but the fiberglass gel coat is intact and it came out perfectly smooth. If I was going to paint it I'd probably wet sand it down to get uniformly smooth. I plan to put another textured finish on it instead. Now, what's the best way put a new textured finish on? Searching for this is how a came upon your post right now. The paint stripper works best when used in the sunlight letting the surface heat up first.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
KaptKaos
post Jun 12 2012, 10:35 PM
Post #12


Family
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,009
Joined: 23-April 03
From: Near Wausau
Member No.: 607
Region Association: Upper MidWest
I hadn't thought of using something like aircraft stripper. Interesting. Thanks!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
lonewolfe
post Jun 12 2012, 10:46 PM
Post #13


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 819
Joined: 12-September 11
From: Oakland, CA
Member No.: 13,549
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(KaptKaos @ Jun 12 2012, 09:35 PM) *

I hadn't thought of using something like aircraft stripper. Interesting. Thanks!



Hey, it takes a little effort. Do it in about 12"x12" sections at a time. I'd say it probably took 3-4 passes over each section to get it really smooth. Use a scraper. Plastic is the safest to use as far as to not gouge the surface but a metal paint scraper works a lot faster. You just have to be more carful not to dig in with the front corner edges. You want to be careful not to get the stripper on you as it will burn your skin. Use some dishwashing gloves. I tried nytril glove and the stripper will disolve them in a few minutes. It's kind of nasty stuff. Now I just need to decide what type of finish to get as close to original as possible. If my sail panels were painted I'd probably just paint the top the same as the body. I have vinyl sale panels so am looking for a textured black finish. Good luck!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rjames
post Jun 12 2012, 11:16 PM
Post #14


I'm made of metal
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,955
Joined: 24-July 05
From: Shoreline, WA
Member No.: 4,467
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
QUOTE
Be sure and wear a respirator/filter of some kind when you do.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
skaufmann
post Jul 2 2012, 02:25 PM
Post #15


Blissfully Ignorant
**

Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: 26-May 11
From: San Diego - College Area
Member No.: 13,123
Region Association: Southern California
Somewhere here someone post about how they refinished it with light coat of Line-X and then rattle-canned to match the vinyl luster. It came out nice. The end result was a good texture and color match and good durability.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
patssle
post Jul 2 2012, 03:14 PM
Post #16


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 981
Joined: 28-August 09
From: Houston, TX
Member No.: 10,741
Region Association: None
I did Line-X to mine, it looks great. It's a tad shiny in the sun though - I'm sure some wouldn't like it. I didn't do anything to it after it was coated. I would take pictures but it's in storage for the summer and the driveway is blocked.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
skaufmann
post Jul 2 2012, 04:21 PM
Post #17


Blissfully Ignorant
**

Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: 26-May 11
From: San Diego - College Area
Member No.: 13,123
Region Association: Southern California
QUOTE(patssle @ Jul 2 2012, 02:14 PM) *

I did Line-X to mine, it looks great. It's a tad shiny in the sun though - I'm sure some wouldn't like it. I didn't do anything to it after it was coated. I would take pictures but it's in storage for the summer and the driveway is blocked.



Storage for the summer?!? You south of the equator?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
patssle
post Jul 2 2012, 04:27 PM
Post #18


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 981
Joined: 28-August 09
From: Houston, TX
Member No.: 10,741
Region Association: None
Texas. It was 104 last week with a heat index of 118.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
skaufmann
post Jul 2 2012, 04:31 PM
Post #19


Blissfully Ignorant
**

Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: 26-May 11
From: San Diego - College Area
Member No.: 13,123
Region Association: Southern California
QUOTE(patssle @ Jul 2 2012, 03:27 PM) *

Texas. It was 104 last week with a heat index of 118.


Oh I get it. You live ON the equator. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
euro911
post Jul 2 2012, 04:51 PM
Post #20


Retired & living the dream. God help me if I wake up!
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 8,851
Joined: 2-December 06
From: So.Cal. & No.AZ (USA)
Member No.: 7,300
Region Association: Southern California
I gave my 'summer top' a good scrub down and painted it Sand Beige (tan) to match my interior. It's still the pebbly texture, but it really does help to mitigate the scorching summer sun's effects on the occupants ...

... and I've seen Elliot slip people dollar bills to say it looks ugly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

2 Pages V  1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 8th June 2024 - 02:57 AM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...