Front & rear valence & rocker panel finish Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

I've got the original f & r valence panels for my '70/4 and need to get l&r rocker panels. The finish on these panels is smooth, but the color has faded and dulled to a flat shade of dark grey. I don't recall how a 1970 model 914 front, side, and rear valence panels were finished. Black? Gloss(I doubt it)? Semi-gloss? Satin? Flat(I doubt that too)?

Since I'm replacing the side panels(I put on f/g panels on in '78-who knew (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) ), where do I find metal ones that will really fit?

Finally on the side rocker panel fitment, I remember that they were originally pop-riveted on. But what color were the rivets? I remember them being white, but can't be sure. Any '70 models with original panels still on, out there in the Forum?

[Pat Garvey]

Actually, at least with the early models, the front & rear valences were textured satin black. I was told many years ago by a Porsche technician that it was a 2-step process. They basecoat was a product called Body Shutz (3M I think). The finish coat was satin black (don't remeber if it was Wurth or Glasurit). Body Shutz goes on with a special spray gun at low pressure & allowed to dry before finish coat.

Body Shutz is available in spray cans, but I don't recommend it for this use because it comes out at too much pressure & can leave a stippled appearance - buy the gun, it's inexpensive & the result looks original. I found out the hard way & had to redo at all.

Nice thing about Body Shutz is that it's rubberized & will take a pounding from stones. Quite frankly, it wouldn't be a bad product to basecoat the rockers with, but that wouldn't be original.

Pop rivets were transluscent white & NLA. You'll have to get creative. I have been able to find black plastic & they work just as well, but don't think they'd hold white paint very well.