hardtop is getting painted- need spinlocks

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by DANMKII

anybody have similar horror stories when painting their hardtops? this is ridiculous.

I rather write this off as a lost and paint it myself than allow him to "repaint" it again..
ARGHH...

Sorry you had a bad experience.

On my Boxster I was fortunate to find a top in the same color as my car. I had a red Miata hardtop painted Montego Blue about five years ago. I "interviewed" several paint shops and asked for opinions from my friends before I settled on a shop. I found a guy who was fairly inexpensive and did good quality work. He was just very slow to complete the job. My friends warned me about that and it didn't bug me too much. (Of course, I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas while the job was being completed.)

You might consider obtaining some references before you start over. If your friends can't point you in the right direction, call the service departments at some high end car dealers. Ask who does their painting on trade ins. You may have to talk to several folks before someone gives you some good leads. Ask to see some of their work to determine if it meets your standards.

$250 seems like a very low price for the NYC area. You might need to pay $400 or more for a good job.

Good luck.

[Kirk]

I'd take it back and have the painter re-do it. Who knows, maybe they'll do a good job the second time. It shouldn't cost you anything. It shouldn't come out any worse. So what's the harm? Give him another "shot" and see if it doesn't come out better.

Kirk

[Pirate50]

I bought a used hardtop that is black but my car is Basalt Black Metallic. When I checked with the body shop that does all the Porsche work in town about painting it, they said I would need to have 2 of the seals that are attached, removed, which would destroy them. Those would cost about 200 bucks @ Sunset Imports. Body shop says it won't paint it without there removal. Anyone had this experience?

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by Pirate50

I bought a used hardtop that is black but my car is Basalt Black Metallic. When I checked with the body shop that does all the Porsche work in town about painting it, they said I would need to have 2 of the seals that are attached, removed, which would destroy them. Those would cost about 200 bucks @ Sunset Imports. Body shop says it won't paint it without there removal. Anyone had this experience?

If you want a "perfect" job, I think that would be necessary.

If the shop did a good job masking the seals, and you aren't an absolute perfectionist I don't think it is necessary.

When I had my Miata top painted, one shop refused to do the work unless I agreed to let them remove the rear window. That would have required replacement of the weather strip and a possible broken window. As they explained it, they had a reputation for quality work to maintain and they were unwilling to compromise.

The shop that did the work told me that they used fishing line to hold the weather strip out of the way while they were painting. I didn't see them do it, but I've heard it is one of the auto body "tricks of the trade."

[DANMKII]

Had I found a black hardtop I probably wouldve left it two tone?

the body shop guy just masked off the molds (which I agreed to...) I regret this now because the underlining paint shows slightly.

anyone think I should just paint it black? my car is seal grey. with 20% tints

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by DANMKII

anyone think I should just paint it black? my car is seal grey. with 20% tints

I think it would look nice. I like the two tone look. I've got a black carbon fiber hood on my arctic silver Boxster. If I got a hard top, which I hope to do someday, I would get a black one. My soft top is black...

Attached are some photos of what your car might look like when done. I would just add a black vinyl wrap around the windshield surround to finish it off.