Targa Bar Black or Stainless

[PK 77 911]

Hello,

I have a 77' 911s Targa in Silver and with the painted Black Targa bar. Considering taking it back to stock bare stainless. At least I think the S's all came that way.

Whats your thoughts. Painted or stock.

Plus.... What sort of condition do you think I would find the bar in under the paint if I strip it with paint stripper. and suggestions on bringing it back if it is in rough shape under the paint.

Thanks

Paul

[bob deluke]

Paul,

I have a 77 911S targa too with stainless bar. I like it better than painted. I also have all chrome trim around wheel arches, window frame and top of door. The SS looks great with the trim pieces. I would strip paint off and hopefully its SS underneath. Buff out with WD-40 and 6-800 wet or dry and I guarantee you will like the looks of the bar. Best of luck, Bob

[PK 77 911]

WD- 40, The spray oil I take it. Excuse my ignorance but this would act as the lubricant for the 600-800 sand paper?

Thanks for the reply.

Paul

[bob deluke]

Hi Paul,

Have been busy at work, haven't had a chance to check my e-mail. Yes, WD-40 does act as a lubricant. I used a thin rubber sanding block, sprayed WD-40 on a rag, wiped it on the stainless bar, and sanded with 6-800 grit wet or dry paper. It leaves a nice satin finish on the stainless steel. If car is painted, you may want to use plain water and sandpaper as WD-40 has silicone in it. I did my targa bar off the car as I was painting the body. Don't need to be too agressive either, long gentle strokes works the best, wipe away lube as you go. When you have finish where you want it, wash with warm soapy water to remove all traces of WD-40. Wipe dry with microfiber or cotton towel and you are done. From that point on, its just normal washing and drying of the stainless. I wouldn't sand dry, you need some lube to pick up the dirt and remove scratches from the stainless. Hope this helps, good luck..Regards,Bob

[PK 77 911]

Thanks very much for your help. I will give it a go.

Paul

[Robert Adams]

what's old is new..
Stripped down a home painted Targa bar (OFF THE CAR) and have wet sanded starting with a 320, going to 400 and now 600.
Once it was stripped I found the bar had been scratched up a bit and the primer coat under the black paint had stained the SS and that is why I went to the 320 grit. I'm now noticing some inconsistencies in the stainless appearance after many hours of wet sanding and not necessarily where the primer was. Some areas are coming out very nicely with clear metal showing almost mirror like. Other areas look blotchy or hazy. Maybe I just need to keep wet sanding? I saw a video where SS has a grain direction and SS needs to be sanded in the direction of the grain.
Wondering if anyone has experience with SS Targa bars and knows if I need to sand in any particular direction?
Is there a grain direction?
Thanks!

[KerryM]

I have a 1978 with a black targa bar but the all of the chrome in original matt finish from the factory.

If I remove the black paint, is there a way to restore it to stainless matt finish to match the rest of the car? Thanks!!

[962porsche]

Originally Posted by KerryM

I have a 1978 with a black targa bar but the all of the chrome in original matt finish from the factory.

If I remove the black paint, is there a way to restore it to stainless matt finish to match the rest of the car? Thanks!!

yes there is but it's not all to ez or I should say it was not the 1st time we did it .

we ended up using a red pad type belt on our belt sander .
this gave us the brushed look of the Porsche's OE looking brushed SS bar .
we tried a green belt but found you have to be very careful with the pressure .
a soapy water mix helped also to give a nice uniform finish .
we also tried the green belt and then switched to the red this worked real good but it had a little bigger brushed look then the Porsche oe looking bars .

my belt sander is a very large one on a stand so you have to hold the bar and move it along the belt sander .
to get the brushed look giving all in one direction you have to start at one end of the bar and move it all the way to the other side with out stopping .
then move over on the bar and do it again from one side to the other .

the soapy water helps stop any heat build up and keep the scotch pad clean .
if you get a hot spot it makes the metal a different shade of color .
it's ez to get ride of just by going back over it .