Darken Porsche letters

[tanmanbgoh]

Whats a good method to make letters on back reflector black? And how remove without breaking plastic??Plus any photos of people who have done this??? Thanks

[Winter]

I removed the one on my '75 by removing the entire rear bumper, which then gave me very easy access to the back of the bumper, where the reflector was attached.

Interestingly (or shockingly, depending upon your opinion of previous owners), the PO used big globs of silicon to attach both the right and left end of the reflector, and all of the plastic 'mounts' that have the small studs that also attach the reflector were broken. I've taken some photos of this "repair" and am rehabbing my reflector. I'll post all this stuff at some point.

From looking at my car now, with the reflector removed, it appears that it is possible to remove the small nuts that attach to the studs (on the reflector) with the bumper on, but there isn't much room and visibility could be an issue. I would guess that removal of the muffler (faster and easier than removing the bumper) could make this an easier job.

Sorry, long winded and perhaps not exactly what you are looking for. If you really need pics, I'll go take some and post here, but it may take a day or two.

Basically, there's a series of studs (top and bottom) on the back of the reflector that attach to small bolts behind the bumper, undo the bolts and you'll be able to remove the reflector.

Good luck!

[tanmanbgoh]

That sounds like a bit more then I was planning on.but I love the solid black letters,I can hardly see the name Porsche on my 85 targa..

[Winter]

I just went and looked under my car.

If I was to do what you are attempting, I'd remove my muffler (2 in 1 out, only four bolts to the heat exchangers/exhaust).

That would give me total access to the small nuts that attach to the stud. Of course, I'm assuming that my '75 is the same as your later car.

No need to remove the whole bumper, but if you fear rust you might want to do that, so you can douse all fasteners for the reflector with PB Blaster or something like that.

Good luck!

[porwolf]

It is my understanding that the black script reflector comes in two versions: With threaded studs for short hood models up to 1977 and with plastic studs from 1978 to 1986?. I also understand that to take both models off it is best to remove the muffler and the muffler heat shield. Then there is access to the back of the bumper. The earlier models are fixed with nuts that then can be removed. The later models are pushed into the reflector support panel with special metal clips that mount from the back of the car. Into those clips the plastic studs engage but cannot easily removed. The best way remove those is probably to go in behind the bumper and bend the two small retaining blades open on each of the 10 clips. Then the reflector should come out easily without braking the plastic studs. You maybe able to reuse the 10 clips by bending the retaining blades back inward, push the 10 clips back into the square holes in the reflector support panel. After that the panel should easily go into the support panel from the back of the car.

I did some repainting of the black script and edges with Krylon Fusion black plastic spray paint that I sprayed into a plastic cup and then painted the black areas with a small artist brush. I also repainted some silver areas with "Bright Silver" Floquil Railroad Color from a model train store. After that I sprayed the whole reflector backside with grey "Brite Touch" General Purpose Primer from Pep Boys after masking off the 5 grey plastic brackets with the plastic studs and the reflector edges.

I think it is possible to use a later model reflector on a 1977 or earlier car by screwing 1/4 X 20, or 1/4 X 24 set screws into the holes in the plastic studs of the later model reflectors. Those set screws could be then be fixed to the reflector support panel with nuts from the back.

[Ken911]

carbon fiber reflector panel? here you go they have them in red with red letters or with black letters

[Joe Bob]

You can do vinyl letters on top......