Fixing the "round tuits"
 

This should probably go in the Paint & Bodywork forum, but there just isn't much activity over there, so I'm posting here.

The car is a '87 Carrera coupe that my brother and I widebodied back in 2009-10. He owned it at the time and I repurchased it not too long after the conversion was done due to a change in his priorities.

During the very first post-conversion drive, the fiberglass RS rear bumper sustained an ugly heat bulge shown here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348939568.jpg

After working on the car for 7+ months, I wasn't really in the mood to fix this at the time. But after more than 2 years had passed, I had decided that it was time to get "around to it" because as time passed, the ugly bulge bugged me more and more. So, a few weeks ago I got going on this mini-project:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348939765.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348939799.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348939879.jpg

Then the fun (not really...:rolleyes:) began. Those of you who have worked with fiberglass know what I mean. More pictures:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940027.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940073.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940095.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940130.jpg

Ready for primer. The repaired area (underside) is about 50% thicker than it was and the final glassing was done with cloth, which is stronger than mat. I also installed heat shielding material which is shown in a later pic.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940167.jpg

Primer, sealer, color and clearcoat. The ducktail needed some minor repair after a fluorescent light tube fell on it and exploded a few weeks back and I had enough materials to refinish it as well.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940379.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940394.jpg

Block sanding the primer on the bumper. Also blocked the ducktail but forgot to take a pic.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...1/DSCN0987.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940439.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940489.jpg

Installed DEI Engineering 2000 degree heat shielding...

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...1/DSCN0999.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940514.jpg

Very nice. I bet it was satisfying as well.

And...all done!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940786.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348940826.jpg

+1, looks great.

+2
Looks super....great job!

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the kind words. I still have to install a rubber seal between the bumper and rear body/tail lights to fill the gap.

The next 'round tuit' will be to replace the too-large 275/40's that are currently on the rear with a pair of 255/40's (in transit now), then a M&K pre-muffler to replace the too-loud cat bypass, then....:)

Old Porsches...are they really ever finished??

I dig those rims " what are they never seen them
Nice repair.

Thanks! The wheels are factory 16x7 Fuchs that were converted to 17x8 and 17x9.5 by Jim at TruDesign Wheels in Colorado. The offsets don't require any spacers on the stock Carrera hubs. They look wider than they are.

Hi Mr. Zündfolge,

nice work!!! Since I have seen this car 'live', I know your perfect work.

Yesterday the 'real' widebody I purchased from you enjoyed a very nice trip here in germany!!
See here: 29.09.12 - Herbsttour

Regards,

Robert Cravallo

Great to hear from you, Robert! Great pictures from The Fatherland, as usual. The Gray Lady is looking fabulous as usual and I'm pleased that she found such a great caretaker.

I didn't see Bernie and Jutta in the pics...I guess they missed this one. That looked like a fun excursion nonetheless. I would love to participate someday. :)

(By the way, "Johann von Zündfolge"my the German alias that Robert bestowed on me awhile back)

You painted that yourself in your home shop!!!! Are you a body man by trade?? I can't even paint a good looking fence!!! GREAT WORK!!!
Mike

Actually, he painted the whole car in his garage. AMAZING WORK!!! It even looks perfect from (very) up close. I coudn't believe it, when he told me that he had painted the car in his garage. Looks better than most 'professional' jobs. And no, no body man, desk jockey!!!

My 993 needs a new paint job, I would let Jack SmileWavy have a go anytime!!! Unfortuanately I live in germany. :(

Desk jockey? LOL, I guess that's what I was back in my Corporate America days, I'm happily retired now. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...s/beerchug.gif

Thanks, Mike...I am fortunate to have two very good friends that are custom auto painters who took the time to teach me the craft several years ago. There is definitely a learning curve but the rewards are worth it.

The "painting" part is relatively easy. It's the preparation and final color sanding/buffing/polishing that takes a considerable amount of time and effort. That's what you are paying for when a good shop quotes $10K and more for a nice custom all-over refinish. Plus, materials costs have skyrocketed in the past few years and then there are the OSHA and EPA regs, etc., etc.

It's fun to do my own stuff but I wouldn't want to do it for a living - way too much manual labor for an old former desk jockey! :)