Painted top or not

1bad914 · 09-26-2002, 06:01 AM

Here is a pic of my 914 with the hoods painted, I had a spare top around so I painted it. What is the opinion of the list. Do you like the top painted yelloew or black. When done the logitudinal covers and the valences will bve yellow also, the bumper will be chrome. Just checking out the lists thoughts on this one.

ruddyboys · 09-26-2002, 06:08 AM

The top looks great painted, not sure about the tires.

I have the oposite problem, PO painted the top, what could I use to strip it?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

For my taste--
Black top, black rockers & valence.

--DD

1bad914 · 09-26-2002, 06:37 AM

Someone always makes the tire comment. Those are old VW rims with a bunch of bald and leaking tires on them that I use to paint with. I have 2.0L Fuchs that I'm polishing, they will be wrapped with 195 or 205 15's when I'm done.

I envisoned this car to have all black top, valence and side covers, but when I put the black top on the painted car it just did not look right. My wife even commented, "what's wrong with the top". I also put the side covers on last night and they looked different. Once I mount the bumpers I'll try it all black and make the decision then.

1bad914 · 09-26-2002, 06:40 AM

If the top paint is in good shape you can sand it with 400 grit dry and then re-paint or cover wirth the pebble paint or whatever goes on the original. You do not have to strip it if its smooth already. If it has bc/cc on it the cc is the best base you can have.

914timo · 09-26-2002, 06:51 AM

Black top, black rockers and black valence...... I, like so many other, have them too.

The yellow top looks good. Yellow valence and rockers sounds good too. Send some pics when done. I think they will look something different and fresh. I am very optimistic about your idea.

Timo
914-6 3.0L

maf 914 · 09-26-2002, 07:29 AM

Good work. I say go with the all yellow look. Give yourself a little time to get used to the look and see if you like it. You can always repaint the rockers, valences, sail panels and top later.

What is your plan regarding the brightwork around the windows and targa bar? Also, what color yellow is that? The photo looks like a sort of tannish-yellow although the photo may show the true color.

Mike

Mountain914 · 09-26-2002, 07:33 AM

Oh, painted looks good unless you're going for a contrasting scheme. Here's an example of mine, hence I'm a little bit biased toward a painted top:

I figure if you drive it right, you will rarely have your top on, anyway !!

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Rich Johnson has the rockers and valences on his Six conversion painted the same yellow as the body:

Note that the sail panel is vinyl-covered, and the top (can't see it in that pic) is still black. But it at least gives you some idea of how the treatment looks.

I personally think it makes the car look too heavy.

--DD

1bad914 · 08:29 AM

The color is LD1B or Gelb or New Beetle Yellow or 1995 Audi Yellow. Not a Porsche color but still in the VW family. The picture does it no justice, it is a very bright yellow. I like the pics of the all yellow car and I like the yellow bottom and black top combo. I'll go all yellow, if I don't like it I'l repaint. I really like the picture of the combo. Looks good! As far as the chrome accents, they will remain chrome and will all go back on minus the one on the bottom of the sail panel. I contemplated painting the chrame black, but can't make up my mind.

ruddyboys · 09-26-2002, 08:50 AM

My top was painted white, black bleed thru and has a pebble grain already. Should I just spray it with flat black or semi gloss. Will an off-the-shelf rattler work or should I use a special type paint.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Like just about all of the other trim on a 914, satin black rattle-cans work fine. If you want the original "pebbly" texture, you may have to go with a real spray-gun, as I'm not certain you can get the can to spray that particular type of "wrong" pattern.

--DD

1bad914 · 09-26-2002, 09:36 AM

I'd have to refer that to one of the others on the list since I don't know what the original was. It looks to be flat or satin. There are paints that are rattlers that have some flex agent in them. That might work, seems it was a bumper paint or something.

Randy

Barber Dave · Barber Dave's Garage

1bad914,
Think about this all the chromb accent pieces Anodize them black, Mine is that way. I think this holds up better than paint on chromb. jusy my 2 cents Dave

Andyrew · Andyrew's Garage

If your going with all yellow, go with all yellow. no end comment.

Jubal DeLong · Jubal DeLong's Garage

Graphicly the car looks really low and flat w/ blk sails, roof and rockers. Low is one of our best traits.

On the other hand w/ painted sails the blk top does look left out.

Since you have a slant-nose, how about painted 916 bumpers?

1bad914 · 09-27-2002, 02:50 AM

The 916 bumpers have been a thought. I can get my hands on a set for a decent price. Tonight I start the reassembley process, as I do this I'll probably try different combinations. Does someone have a picture of a slant with 916 bumpers?

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

I think Rich Johnson's (picture above posted by DD) is the epitome of what a 914 should look like. The colored valances and rockers give it an updated look, and lowers the eyeline, giving it a lower overall stance optically. But the black sail panel and top make it appear almost like a ragtop in that the black "disappears" against the bright yellow.
Of course, my car is all black, so it solves that problem!

.

Va914 · 09-27-2002, 08:49 AM

SIDE TOPIC....

Lets hear how you smoothed out the top? Does/would the top look good textured but colored the same as the body?

Cheers

Paint Legend · 09-27-2002, 09:51 AM

Hate to be a buzz kill. But after seeing the other 2 yellow cars I'd change the paint color if it isn't stock. Looks like a stick of butter with wheels. Maybe it's the picture?

Sorry, good work on the paint though!

Tom