Will meet the Painter tomorrow!

[dshepp806]

It's time to pull the trigger on having my '89 S.A. Edition repainted,..CERTAINLY staying with the original color of Silver Metallic. A windows out, to the metal project to be done by John Holt at HoltWheels MotorSports in Atlanta GA. As well, I plan to restore her Linen interior, completely. (yeap,..the cracked dash-too- has to go!).

A technically adept fellow , I am (as an Engineer),..but a pro Painter, I am NOT. (and I know the difference, especially from the consumption of great, informative threads from knowleadgeable, fellow PP's.

I'll say, I'm a bit nervous about this process and would welcome any input as to "things" to look/plan for,....things to discuss with John tomorrow....things I may not think of......just throwing it out there.

I plan to run the mill with John tomorrow over every seal involved!!!!!

Thanks, in advance!

BEST!

Doyle

[dshepp806]

Wow. John Holt is a serious professional and Porsche afficianado ! What a relaxing, informative visit today. I'm like a kid at Christmas right now.......

Definately one of the BEST in Atlanta!!!!!!!

Let's roll, John!!!!

Best to all,

Doyle

[gsxrken]

Just watch that progress is sure and steady and don't get too far ahead with the $$. They don't call it paint jail for nothing. Even the best of them have no qualms about burying a project in the back of the shop for quicker cash flow work.

[Tremelune]

How long could it take to paint a car? Even if only one person was working on it, you pop some pieces off, sand, prep, and spray. If my car was in the shop for longer than a week or two, I'd show up at the shop.

Am I ignant?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

How long could it take to paint a car? Even if only one person was working on it, you pop some pieces off, sand, prep, and spray. If my car was in the shop for longer than a week or two, I'd show up at the shop.

Am I ignant?

Porsches are really labor intensive to break down for painting.

If the car is not there for a couple of months I would be surprised.

[Tremelune]

Months?! Windows, bumpers, lights, and trim, no?

[Bob Kontak]

No is an understatement.

All depends on how far you want to go. You want to scuff mask and squirt, have at it. The OP with an 89 special edition ain't going to do that.

Spend some time in the paint and bodywork forum. Read some of Freddie Hernandez's painting 101 write ups.

It is a farkin chore, bro. It is real work and there are many many pieces and areas of special attention on the car you have not mentioned.

For fun, look at the exploded view of a Carrera tail. It is a huge job (time soak) just to take that thing apart.

Also, nothing "pops off" on a 65-89 911.
Edit: 64-89 :-)

[dshepp806]

Tell me about the "bits and pieces"! I've spent most of the afternoon and evening working on the spreadsheet for this project. Unfortunately, it's ~1/2 insurance-related,..~1/2 my ticket. We are certainly paying attention to the details, as I don't want to miss any parts and pieces to make her new again.

This is an interior restoration, as well,..at least, to a reasonably large degree,..that is:

new dash
new headliner/A pillar stuff
new rear deck covering
redo of both front seats (leather)
Recover of console
complete carpet kit
All gauges refreshed
Fresh seals/weatherstripping EVERYWHERE
+,..any small stuff, inside.

...just those pieces ALONE are not chump change (at least, not to me). Although I plan to NOT skimp on anything and will give it my all to make her new again.

Painting? I'll have to leave that up to the Pro. He certainly is a Painter and not a "sprayer". We'll tend to every external piece that needs attention/refresh,..no holds barred. What I like BEST (so far) is that this fellow is as anal as I am when it comes to detail and professional-level work.

I gotta' tell ya',..I studied this process over time, trying to consume as much information as possible so that I know a little something about what I'm getting in to. I interviewed 4-6 shops over the past 9 months. You can betch your arse that the ones who answered my question, "Have you guys disassembled/painted/assembled Porsches before?" with such a response as "well, ...no,... but a car is a car is a car." only saw my tailights as I was leaving,.....

In the present case, I've a Porsche Purist who paints for a living (32 years in Atlanta) mostly exotics, and doesn't flinch at my request for Glasurit 22 line (others I met with wouldn't touch it?). I tried to give him $5k on the spot today and he simply wouldn't take it, stating he needed to maintain some sense of hunger.....and he meant it!!!!!!! He's painted hundreds of Porsches,..and had several on site/in process. Took a lot of time showing me around, speaking of his processes (and "anal-ness"), meeting the staff......top notch, for sure. He states that he's not one to keep cars around forever, and that the projects receive a real focuss. As long as we don't have "discoveries,..or interior resto issues,..he should turn this out in ~1 month (6 weeks at the worst case). If everything happens PERFECTLY, it could be 3 weeks.

I'm IN with this Gent,.....ready to produce some very fine results. We speak the same language, for sure.

I would highly reccommend John Holt/Atlanta.

I hope to post some of the process here with fellow Pelicans.

BEST to all!

Doyle

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

Let's roll, John!!!!

Good for you.

I wish I had dropped the coin and not lost all that time with the car (in one piece). It took years as I traveled so much and you frankly burn out on it and have to take recesses.



I did have help, though. They think it's fuel accumulator.

[dshepp806]

THAT is a "killer" shot!!!!!!!!! Lots going on in that first one,..Holy crap!!

Talk about "tedious prep"....I have spent the entire day working the spreadsheet (yes,..JUST the paper part of the order) on this project,...all the things insurance-related, as well as not insurance-related,..very cumbersome making sure you're not missing anything,..ensuring I'm installing everything "new". Nice to be able to share the front-end work with John.....he has no problems with that.....I'll let him deal with acquisition the glass/seals, interior items (that's a different spreadsheet?). Tedious, but rewarding work, Glad I don't do this for a living as I'd go broke at this rate of work.

Let's just say that I recently-finally- submitted the (first) order to our good buddy WAYNE (PP) this evening and was able to apply a gracious 5% coupon (from WAYNE!), saving me about $73 !!!!!!

Loyalty? slam-dunk, I'd say...,..as this provided forum and it's Members are priceless......."what goes around, comes around".

HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!

Best,

Doyle

[Reiver]

Had to look twice....the stuff on this site kills me.
BTW, I see the windex bottle and you got the glass so clean you can't even see it.

[rattlsnak]

Did you go in Friday? Sorry I missed you. I went out of town for the long weekend. I will talk to him tomorrow and be there T,W,T,F . Did you see my project BMW 330Ci I just picked up?

[LakeCleElum]

I've taken a 912 down to bare metal, fenders off, etc - and painted myself.....Getting ready to do the same on my '69 this winter.....

If you are looking to save some Bux, I'd suggest you pull it apart yourself - bumpers, doors, glass, fenders,etc..........

If you can disclose, I'm interested in the quote of a good shop like John seems to run?

[dshepp806]

Bob S: I considered that but my schedule doesn't permit such (although I'd love to do a sort of approach as that. Also, I figure that since he's gotta' put everything back, I might as well give him the opp to disassemble.

I'll keep you guys posted on some of the expenses as we run through it. I can say that I've ordered about $1500 in seals, etc. from our host (on my first order)...and still haven't ordered the larger ticket items such as front windshield and seal, real windshield seal, front spoiler, dash, etc. (Anybody know of a good source for a used dash for a '89, lemme' know). That NEW one is awefully expensive!!!!!!!) I'd say I've about $2300 in parts, so far (that's both ordered and installed). We've not even gotten to the point of ordering the interior pieces (leather seat covers, headliner, pillar covers, rework of all gauges, etc. The we still will need to order Porsche glass/seal for the front, rear Porsche seal for the rear glass and front spoiler (~$1300-$1400-more-dollars).

Am working a complete parts spreadsheet at present,..and will be continuing on today!!!

I'm probably looking at ~6K for the painting, but am not yet sure what it will work out to be (+/-). I've two small rust spots at the lower windshield corners (he states that it's completely surface related but we all know that we won't know until we get "in there"!!!! As well, he'll be color-matching the Fuchs paint to the car (as factory did it) Silver Metallic. Looking at redoing the alloy side repairs, as well.

I've already installed the new headlamps and foglamps myself.

Will keep you guys posted.

BEST!

Doyle

[rokemester]

This is a helpful thread. Thanks for sharing. Something I may do one day, although with 160K on the odometer you worry about being upside down.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

I've two small rust spots at the lower windshield corners

Just an FYI. I also found surface rust at the windshield corners but was hidden under seal.

I did have some very small bubbles along both top plastic fender seals that triggered the fender removal. The bubbles were on the tub side on the cowl/panel between the glass and the hood along the trim strip piece. Where the nose of the tub is welded onto the cab at the top there was rust that bit into the metal a bit and I even had some pin holes. One inch area. I sandblasted and repaired (and then went nuts doing the entire inner fender thing).

When the painter removes that plastic strip to paint the fender (you loosen some of the fender to tub bolts and pull the strip out) he should be able to see if there is any issue.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

The bubbles were on the tub side on the cowl/panel between the glass and the hood along the trim strip piece.

Pictures are so much easier than words.

[dshepp806]

Thanks Bob...she's coming apart, for sure. We'll see.

Made another $600 contribution to the cause today.....I'm about $4G into it for Exterior restoration parts (except dash and interior parts/rework),..MIND you SOME OF THESE PARTS ARE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE FROM THE DEALER, such as the $1k windshield!,... and we've yet to start painting !!

The insurance Company owes me about 1/2 of that right now.

On goes the trek!

BEST!

Doyle

[ruby911]

Rest assured, Doyle. You are in good hands. John has done some work for me and his service and attention to detail is very good. I drive by his shop everday to and from work, so I will keep an eye out for it.

Good luck - Farrell

[dshepp806]

Thanks, Farrel. No doubt, I'm comfortable with John. He took all the time I needed and was gracious in showing me around,..discussing each and every project going on in house,...old project stories,..racing stories,...what a nice guy. I went ahead and let him know I'm quite picky. He stated "then we'll get along just fine" !!!!! Didn't flinch at the Glasurit 22 Line request. What's really cool to me is that he absolutely KNOWS Porsches.......period.

I've been ordering parts left and frikin' right.....and spending a lot of time making sure it's right for John....can't believe how much time I've in it already (forget the money).

WOW,..each day: a drive by? Sounds like I can PM you with a request to email (only) me with pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll compensate you somehow,....would be great provenance....otherwise, I'm relegated to Friday drive-by's,..which won't get me much in the way of documentation,....WOW: small world!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again: we're looking to be in by end of December, although I don't have a specific date just yet.

Thanks for your comments!

My best,

Doyle