Targa targa bar question

[WANNA930]

Early 911's had a brushed finish and later have black targa bar. Is the early a trim piece or is one simply painted. I guess the real question is how to convert to early style bar finish.

Thanks

[kach22i]

There are a lot of threads on this, too many in fact and it is easy to get lost. However I still suggest doing a search.

Two way of doing this from what I can tell.

1. Rubber gloves, acetone and emery cloth - suggest removing/replacing rubber trim prior. One guy removed his bar and liner to do this.

2. Remove rear wheels to get to targa bar bolts, unbolt and replace bar with one you like purchased in the Pelican classifieds. Again, removal/replacement of rubber trim.

I suggest you leave it "as is" and learn to love what you have.

I have the black paint peeling off on mine, and the bar headliner peeling too. Looking at all my options as well.

Wanna930, post a picture of your car and tell us the year.

[doublestuff]

The bare-metal-look targa bars are stainless steel. If you strip the paint off of a painted one - which is NOT stainless - you'll need to clear coat it or something to protect it from rust. Stainless ones show up from time to time on the used parts section, not sure if all years are compatible with all others.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Unless you had an idiot P.O. that painted a stainless steel one. Like in my case. Yes, I've since restored it to it's beautiful shiny stainless steel goodness.

Such a sin against a 911 should be punishible by such a person being forced to drive nothing but Toyota products for eternity.

[RSTarga]

Where do I line up for my Toyota? Yes way back in 86 I had my stainless Targa powdercoated black. I shouldn't have done it , but back then it was the fashion. We were all trying to update our cars back then, now everyone is backdating.

[vulcan300]

I recently removed the Targa bar from my 86, stripped it and had it polished to a mirror finish. Even under the paint on the later cars the metal is Stainless steel.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by targamaniac

I recently removed the Targa bar from my 86, stripped it and had it polished to a mirror finish. Even under the paint on the later cars the metal is Stainless steel.

Agreed, same findings here. Stainless.

[doublestuff]

I could be wrong, everything I've seen here indicates that only the bare ones are stainless (from the factory). What makes you guys say it's stainless? Carbon steel can polish up pretty nicely, so just because it's shiny doesn't make it stainless. If you're right, I'd love to know that, as I'd like to strip the paint off of my Targa bar, too

[snbush67]

Mine has been stripped for a few months now. No rust. The saab 95 engine that I recently replaced is sitting in my same garage, it has rust on the exposed steel parts, no rust in the aluminum or stainless parts.
If you strip your Targa Bar you will be OK.

[RSTarga]

I think they switched to plain steel in 88

[mikeatfhc]

You can check this with a magnet. 316 SS a magnet won't generally stick, 304 SS (likely what the Targa bar is made of) will stick weakly compared to regular steel.

[remigio]

"stripped" as in apply the paint remover and see-the-paint-bubble "stripped"? i don't know metals so i have to ask this question: won't that hurt the finish of the ss?

remigio
86 targa w/ painted bar
72 mbz 280se 4.5 (gave to son)
80 fiat pininfarina 2000 (stolen in san diego)

[vulcan300]

Chemical stripping is actually the better way to go. It's less damaging to the stainless finish than sanding or scraping the paint off. Some recommend Aircraft paint stripper as the poison of choice. I used Circa 1850 Heavy Body Paint & Varnish Remover to get the majority of paint off and then used Wurth Gasket Remover in a spray can to get the last of the stubborn bits off. The less damage you do while stripping the paint the easier the buffing process will be.

One thing to note is that you may find weld marks and heavy scratches on the bar underneath all of the paint courtesy of the Porsche factory. I took my bar to a professional metal polisher after I stripped it and they managed to get rid of all the imperfections and scratches and polish it to a mirror finish for about $400.

[Pascal]

Anyone have pics before and after, my SC is peeling and I was thinking of polishing mine. Thanks

[doublestuff]

You can check this with a magnet. 316 SS a magnet won't generally stick, 304 SS (likely what the Targa bar is made of) will stick weakly compared to regular steel.

Good call. I stand corrected - I just checked my '79 with a magnet, very weak attraction compared to the body. I might take mine to work where we have a PMI gun that will tell us what alloy it is - I'll report back if I do.

Anyone try shotblasting/mediablasting?

Jason

[remigio]

the reefer magnet won't stick. reading from another post, this would mean my bar is 304 ss. can 304 ss be polished to a good luster like a 316 ss targa bar? i really would like to strip mine.

remigio
86 targa
72 mbz 280se 4.5 (gave to son)
80 fiat pininfarina 2000 (stolen in san diego)

[Plays with cars]

How hard is it to remove the bar? I need to replace the one on my car due to damage but am not sure what I'm signing up to do. How much interior and/or weather stripping needs to be removed? What about the rear window?

If you're stripping the paint off, can you do that with the bar still on the car and using lots of protection for the paint on the car itself?

[GothingNC]

Here is a good thread for removing the Targa bar

Removing the targa bar?

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

Here is a good thread for removing the Targa bar

Removing the targa bar?

Good thread, not seen that one before.

Thanks all over.

[mikeatfhc]

"the reefer magnet won't stick. reading from another post, this would mean my bar is 304 ss. can 304 ss be polished to a good luster like a 316 ss targa bar? i really would like to strip mine."

Actually if the magnet won't stick at all (or very, very, very lightly) if you have 316ss (or aluminum ). The 304 SS will/might have some attraction from a magnet due to the higher iron content, the paint on the targa bar would be limiting your ability to tell the difference between the two anyway.

Besides - the magnet test was suggested to check SS vs regular steel only.

As far as polishing 316 vs 304 - you would likely never be able to tell the difference.

POST PICS WHEN YOU GUYS ARE DONE!