Targa bar repaint?

Chakka71 · 03-12-2009, 05:11 AM

Has anyone removed the metal targa bar(not sure what it's called) and painted it? Is it just a cover? To be clearer, the bar that is at the top of the rear window and says targa. I've used back to black which definately looks better but some of the paint is gone.

equality72521 · 03-12-2009, 06:00 AM

What is the metal? Is it steel or aluminum? I'd consider anodizing. I have never owned a Targa so I'm just throwing out an idea.

Chakka71 · 03-12-2009, 06:05 AM

I'm thinking it's aluminum, but don't know for sure. I'm sure someone on here will give us the exact name and metal type.

CROWSC · 03-12-2009, 06:16 AM

I have a '79 and it was painted black, I stripped the paint off and
it is stainless steel, someone on this forum told me that they are all
stainless steel. I polished mine up with fine scotch brite pads and WD-40,
going with the grain of the metal, and it looks great.

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Yep, it's been done before.

A PO did this to my old 911.

Randy

kidrock · 03-12-2009, 08:20 AM

I don't own a targa, but I looked at hundreds of them before I purchased my Cabrio. I saw one where the PO did an entire respray, and painted the targa bar in gloss black. My personal opinion was that it just didn't look right. Always a much better look in flat or matte black.

My favorite was the stripped, stainless steel look. Just plain *****in'.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Brushed metal. Clearcoat ONLY if you must. I can't stand the look of a painted targa bar. My PO did it to my car and I've had to spend hours getting the paint off it in order to make the car look good again.

Painted makes the car look like a sculpted blob of plastic or soap, IMHO (kind of like most new cars with their painted/plastic-covered everythings). Having tasteful bits that are actually METAL makes it look like an automobile.

Chakka71 · 09:06 AM

CROWSC
Was it difficult to remove? Do you have a pic?
I'm trying to get rid of the area's where the black is gone. I agree that I don't want the plastic look, but some area's of bare metal aren't nice to the eye either.

Chakka71 · 03-12-2009, 09:09 AM

You can see in the pic what I mean.

Most of it is along the leading edge where the targa top hooks in.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chakka71

CROWSC
Was it difficult to remove? Do you have a pic?
I'm trying to get rid of the area's where the black is gone. I agree that I don't want the plastic look, but some area's of bare metal aren't nice to the eye either.

It is a cover and it is somewhat of a PITA to remove. IIRC, there are two bolts on either side up in the rear wheel well holding it in place, along with several bolts under the seal. Rather than removing mine, I resprayed it in place.

A quick search found these threads:

Removing the targa bar?

targa bar

Targa hoop

Chakka71 · 03-12-2009, 10:09 AM

Thanks for the links, very helpful! I think i'll probably mask heavily and paint.

T77911S · 03-12-2009, 10:54 AM

what about powder coating

rgreeny · 03-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Do not try to remove, you can paint it on the car.
Clean it very good to get dirt and wax off.
Sand with 600 wet sand paper.
Primer it with a self etching primer.
I masked off the targa script, they look better and more original. I cut a fine paint brush and used grease on the leters. BE VERY CAREFULL NOT TO TOUCH THE AREA TO BE PAINTED.
I tried many paint untile I found a color that looked most original. It is Rust-Oleum Satin Black. It is a slow drying paint, but well worth it.

PM me id you would like photos of the finished job.

Good luck,

Rob

carslutt · carslutt's Garage

id like to see some ones process for stripping and buffing the bar. mine is ok but a touch rough around the edges so im sure at some point its geting a new look!..... great info guys

VaSteve · 03-12-2009, 04:34 PM

Powder coat it. Look for a thread by "ianc" for how to take it off

GothingNC · 03-12-2009, 06:43 PM

The Targa bar on my Porsche was already painted and/or powder coated gloss black

At first I wasn't sure if I liked it but now I like it.

I am still debating swaping out to the stainless bar, found a photo of another targa in a color close to mine.

T77911S · 03-13-2009, 07:10 AM

i put back to black on mine, brought it back to life, and has stayed that wawy for quite a while now, it does leave a residue for a while, but i put it on several times over a few days period.

appbiz · 03-13-2009, 07:23 AM

During the restoration of my 77 Targa I stripped the Targa bar down to bare metal, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was stainless steel. Once I had it stripped and cleaned up I just could not bring myself to paint it. So I used some slightly abrasive polish and put it back on.

Kinda retro, but I like it!
Bob