1998 Boxster Project - Complete Restoration
 

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 http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/41668-painted-calipers.html.

The new hood and front bumper getting fitted.
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The body work begins.
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More progress on project.
 

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Some of the painting has begun. Finally!
 

The read deck lid and convertible top clam shell have been removed for paint.
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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.
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Here's a close up of the painted rear trunk lid with the racing stripe.
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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!

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

Love the ghosting! Great project!

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

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!

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

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. :eek:

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.

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. :D

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.

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

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.
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Underside of the New Hood getting painted.
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Visited the shop today to check on the progress. She's coming along nicely. :D

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The ghosting is coming along superb!

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Wow the ghosting looks really good!

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.

As part of this build, I will be installing 997 mirrors from Xtreme Motorcars. Here's a link to the DIY guide I posted on the conversion process. http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/43331-installing-997-mirrors-986-mounts.html

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Following this thread! :cheers:

Need...more...updates!!! :(

I hear ya! I will be stopping by the shop on Monday and will snap more photos. Check back Monday night for new updates :-)

In the meantime, I guess I can show you where I work on my Boxster. This is my home away from home (my garage).

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Today I covered the plastic door pocket covers in leather.

Here is the DIY Guide I posted: http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/43399-leather-door-pocket-covers.html#post329902

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I stopped by the shop yesterday to check on the progress of my car. The right side of the car has been wet sanded and polished. Kind of hard to tell in the pic cause the lighting wasn't that great.

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You can see how shiny the paint is coming out by the mirror finish on the hood. Can you see the Ghost Stripe? It's kinda hard with my reflection.

The re-assembly should begin this week! :D

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This is going to look nice :cheers:

The reassembly has begun! :cheers:

The rear bumper cover, trunk lid and clam shell have all been attached. The new Depo tail lights and center brake light installed too.

Next, he'll be ghost striping the rear spoiler and wing. The rear bumper guards are getting painted as well.

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Can you see the ghost stripe? Can't wait to see it in the sunlight.

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We can't wait to see it either! Can barely see the stripe. Would love to see it in person. It is looking great!:cheers:

Where did you get that 3rd brake light? I've been looking for one for a long time. The car looks awesome!

Thanks! Here is the brake light on ebay: Porsche 986 Boxster 3rd Brake Light Load Resistor Set LED License Plate Bulbs | eBay

Wow!!
 

Looks super, great work!! :cheers:

Can't wait for the final product! :dance:

Dibs on first ride in the modded and supercharged beast!! :troll:

Whoops, did I let the cat out of the bag?! ;)

So, the progress continues. I am pretty sure I will be getting the car back by the end of this week! :cheers:

The new GT2 front bumper cover and hood have been installed. Since they were in the midst of working on it, she's pretty dusty. When clean, you can really see the ghosted stripe, but nearly impossible when dirty.

They still have to install the front lower lip, headlights, side mirrors, passenger door, rear wing and side-skirts. They should all go in pretty quickly.

Should I put the Porsche Badge on the hood or leave it off? What do you all think?

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WOW!
I have the same bumper on the way. Always wondered how its going to look on my blac car.
Now I can't wait:D

Monochrome or blacked out crest...?

I would want the crest.

Definately put the crest on, I would also put the script on the trunk. While I don't like "over-badging" the car, like a beautiful woman she does need to wear some designer labels:D

Seems unanimous to put the Porsche Badge back on. Was leaning that way too.

I ordered a new silver badge for the hood. Also, ordered the newer P O R S C H E chrome letters instead of the script Boxster for the rear (like the 2013 Boxster).

Coffinhunter, I think that will be designer enough for her ;)

Thanks for all of your input.

Great choice on the rear badging.