Window / windshield trim finishes, '80 Targa

[RDM]

All,

Winter's first project will be to replace my windshield and Targa window seals. They are old, they are crusty, and they leave gaps where there should be none. Having gazed in horror at Wayner's thread (Why windshield trim should be a regular maintenance item.), I figure this is the next big thing.

So while I've got the various pieces off it seems like an obvious decision to refinish them. My two questions for each of them:

1. What was the original factory finish?

2. What technique / materials do you recommend now to give a durable factory-looking finish?

The parts in question:

The engine lid badge. Pretty sure this was black anodized. Does paint or powder coat give an approximately factory look? Is paint or powder coat as durable?



Windshield / targa window seal trim. The condition screams "painted!" What's recommended for a durable, approximately factory look?





Door tops were anodized, as can be seen by their sun-bleached condition. Stay with anodizing, or what instead?

Trim under the window seal. The difference between this piece and the door top is striking. How was this finished? Was it just painted? And what accounts for painting here while the door tops are anodized? Is the anodized surface more scratch resistant for use on the door perhaps?

Targa script: I believe it was anodized. What now?

And of course the Targa bar.





Many thanks,

[911obgyn]

I used SEM trim black on my 85. the door trim is holding up really good. I used it on the front window trim and it is starting to wear off at the top, I dont think I got it coated as good. Read up on the window seal threads there is a lot of good info. One helpful tip i got to get the corners where they belong was to use a short piece of cord on the corners of the glass to push the seal out. Just stuff it into the channel where the glass goes with a wood or plastic stick. It helps the lip seal cover the gap at the corners. Use Porsche seals!

[RDM]

I have read many of the window seal threads, and believe me when I get to that point you will all know! At this point, I'd like to know what my coating needs are and make sure they're available in my community.

The Porsche seals are in the Pelican box downstairs.

[Discseven]

Not paint coating expert here but given what experience I have, I call the most durable coating anodized---providing it being done by someone who genuinely knows what they're doing. Is obviously not a do it yourself but then will probably last longer compared to a painted surface---no offense to whatever your skills are Dru.

One challenge and perhaps the first is removing that windshield trim without putting a variety of kinks in it. It can be straightened but that can get time consuming. (Knowing ahead to remove it carefully helps.)

Be curious to see what you do with these parts.

[LIRS6]

What I did (right or wrong) : door trim re-anondized.
Windshield trim : new
Targa bar : painted hot rod black (flat black)
Targa script : painted black semi-gloss, for contrast

Jason

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by LIRS6

Targa bar : painted hot rod black (flat black)
Targa script : painted black semi-gloss, for contrast

Jason

That contrast move is interesting.

[RDM]

The door handles look painted to me, and that's where I'd expect the highest wear from all the touching. But they are unfaded and unscratched. I wonder why Porsche didn't finish the door tops to match.

[universeman]

I painted my window trim (on the car with masking) with SEM black a few years ago. It held up OK but not perfect - esp in front where the inevitable rocks and sand chipped the paint away against the soft aluminum. So I'm going back with anodized trim next time I change out the windshield.

Powder coated the door handles just recently (fully disassembled) - it's too early to determine how well they'll hold up but they do look great. My wife's car has painted door handles (blacked out Range Rover) and the paint is starting to chip off.

I talked to Shaun Budka at Tru-6, a real pro and an expert. He'll probably weigh in. Shaun recommends cerakote over powder coat, and the guys who did mine also recommended it as a coating - however not all cerakote is UV-stable. So if you do decide to go cerakote, make sure you get the kind that's UV-stable. The place I did mine just said go with powder since it's so tough. Cerakote goes on thinner and looks more like anodizing. It's a minor difference but you do see it.

There are instructions on how to do the targa bar floating around here. It's a flat black paint with a specific texture, from the factory - though I've seen all kinds of treatments and many look good. I don't like non-textured in any one I've seen though, except maybe the guys who go body color glossy (a very unique look that others are fond of.)

The 911SC definitely comes anodized black, my car was just rear-ended so I ordered a new one from Porsche and it came in black. Same with the targa script, was originally black on black. We've all gotten so used to seeing silver on black from the anodizing being worn off, it has started to look right that way! (Note: there was a silver/brushed bar available in the early years and for that you could have gotten black or silver script, as I understand.)

Pulling that targa window is no simple task. Getting it back in is supposed to be one of the hardest jobs in Porschedom. Good luck!

[Evan K.]

Here are some pics of the SEM trim black on the rear badge I painted a few days back. It has a slight gloss to it which I like.

[RDM]

The SEM looks good, but I really want something durable for the window frames. No desire to replace window seals again, and I haven't even gotten to the reinstallation step.

[RDM]

Some of the comments on the Cerakote website comment on its costliness. I'm awaiting an email from my local provider, but while I wait does anyone have any experience with Cerakote? Quality, cost, durability....