1998 Boxster Project - Complete Restoration

[drbodzin]

I've had my 1998 Boxster for 12 years and decided it was time to to a complete restoration. It's in the middle of the body work now. I will post pics and DIY projects along the way. I already posted the brake caliper paint job I did a few months ago here Painted Calipers.

The new hood and front bumper getting fitted.







The body work begins.

[drbodzin]

[drbodzin]

The read deck lid and convertible top clam shell have been removed for paint.


Here is the painted clam shell cover. Not sure if you can see it. But there is a ghost racing stripe down the center. The car is getting painted a really cool metallic black and the striping is in solid black. Really subtle looking, but really cool too.


Here's a close up of the painted rear trunk lid with the racing stripe.

[Skrapmot]

What you going to do for the top?

[SF-Rockster]

Originally Posted by Skrapmot

What you going to do for the top?

He should prolly get a hardtop!

That will look sweet.
I'm somewhat close by and can stop by and lend a hand if needed just lmk.
Where did you source the hood and bumper from?

PS : keep the pics coming!

[SF-Rockster]

I have some Techart sides that would go great with your setup.
lmk if your interested.

[BruceH]

Love the ghosting! Great project!

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by SF-Rockster

I have some Techart sides that would go great with your setup.
lmk if your interested.

Thanks for the suggestion. However I already have GT2 Sideskirts for the project. I'll post pics of them painted later.

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by SF-Rockster

He should prolly get a hardtop!

That will look sweet.
I'm somewhat close by and can stop by and lend a hand if needed just lmk.
Where did you source the hood and bumper from?

PS : keep the pics coming!

The hood is from Xtreme Motocars on ebay. I also got newer 987 style mirrors from them.

The front GT2 bumper and side skirts are from Precision Porsche in Los Angeles.

I also got a spoiler/wing from a dealer in the UK (on ebay.co.uk).

More pics to come!

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by Skrapmot

What you going to do for the top?

I have a brand new German Canvas top with tinted glass window getting installed later.

[Homeboy981]

Alright drbodzin, how did you do the "Ghost Stripe"?

I cannot wait to see what the stripe looks like on the hood and front bumper.

She looked pretty naked back there, in the first few pics. Talk about being stripped down.

[san rensho]

Did you block sand down to the original white primer or is the white from primer that you applied? Also, what grit paper did you use to block sand? Thanks.

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by Homeboy981

Alright drbodzin, how did you do the "Ghost Stripe"?

I cannot wait to see what the stripe looks like on the hood and front bumper.

She looked pretty naked back there, in the first few pics. Talk about being stripped down.

I can't wait to see the rest of the ghosting as well. Wait to you see what I have in store for the sides of the car! Stay tuned for that!

I wish I had the skill to do this body work and paint myself. But I have left this to the experts. I hired a guy named Brad Diez in Santee, CA. His shop is Speed Zone Paint & Body. He does fantastic work.

The ghost is done by first painting the area for the graphic. In this case the solid black stripes. Then he tapes off the stripes and paints the metallic black over the rest of the part. Once he removes the taping, the whole thing gets clear coated.

Brad actually referred to this as a Reverse Ghosting. Normally a ghost stripe is where the stripe is a lighter pearl compared to the darker background. But this is the opposite and I think it looks really awesome.

I should have some more pics posted this coming week.

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Did you block sand down to the original white primer or is the white from primer that you applied? Also, what grit paper did you use to block sand? Thanks.

The whole car has been block sanded and the primer was used to find high/low spots. It was not sanded down to metal or the original primer. The work is being done by Brad Diez at Speed Zone Paint & Body in Santee, CA.

[drbodzin]

Here is the latest update to the refurbishing of my Boxster. Progress is happening!

The car's been primed and the black paint applied to the lower portion of the sides where the graphics will get ghost painted in.








Underside of the New Hood getting painted.

[drbodzin]

Visited the shop today to check on the progress. She's coming along nicely.

[drbodzin]

The ghosting is coming along superb!

[SF-Rockster]

Wow the ghosting looks really good!

[Eric G]

Probably one of the cleanest builds I have seen on a Boxster in a long time. I love this thread and your work.

Thank you!

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by Eric G

Probably one of the cleanest builds I have seen on a Boxster in a long time. I love this thread and your work.

Thank you!

Hey Eric,

Thanks! "Clean" is exactly what I am going for. Wanted a custom look, without it feeling all blinged out - if you know what I mean.

Its been a fun project and I will be sure to keep updating the thread along the way.