Bodywork and bits getting sorted at last

[Lemon]

Well further to my bodywork freshen up post I have decided to go ahead and get my car painted and a load of other bits sorted.

Booked in with Paul at Porscheshop who has been super helpfull so far.

Cannot wait to get it back and post a few pics of how it looks.

Having sills (cills!) stripped prepped and repainted, front drivers wing to sort a few issues, badge panel, light pod lids a new drivers door as one of the hinges has broken, windscreen out and roof repainted and new windscreen. Plus a general look over of body make sure it is all A1.

Then on with new teardrop mirrors, calipers off plate lift checked and then repainted red and replaced. Do not know if I should fit some braided brake hoses at this stage, do they help with brake feel???

Unfortunately aircon compressor has spat the dummy so going to change that and looks like I may need a new steering rack.

Lots to do and pay for [], especially as it was only serviced 2 weeks ago and had the belts done at the same time. But I am crossing my fingers it will all be worth it when I get it back. And should look fab []

Right must get moving and go and drop the 44 off.

 

[xenon]

good luck!

 

[Guest]

Lots to look forward to then! Try to post pics of the work in progress if you can.

John.

 

[zcacogp]

Yikes! That doesn't sound cheap ...

Keep us all regaled with piccies!


Oli.

 

[berg944]

Nice one Lee,

Let me know when it's back and I will come and kick the tyres. []

Just dismantled mine to change all belts,rollers and fit larger Radiator.

Mike[:'(]

 

[Lemon]

Hi Mike

It's away for about 3 or 4 weeks as I am away with work for a few weeks then on holiday so I thought I would take the opportunity to sort everything once and for all.

Just crossing my fingers for some good weather in October to have a blast around the Welsh countryside showing off my new shiny bodywork.

Will let you know when it's back and post some piccies []

 

[Diver944]

Great news Lee, nice to see you have bitten the bullet and I bet it looks fabulous when you get it back []

 

[Lemon]

Cheers Paul

I was umming and ahhhhhing over what to do and nearly thought of selling it as it is only one of many hobbies, but having spent thousands on it over the last three years I just cannot sell it.

The old 44 is under my skin and will be with me for a long time now, so I thought crack on and make it look mint.

Oh and have a few upgrades at the same time of course.[]

 

[Fen]

Sounds good and all the best with it. I'm intrigued by your choice of bodyshop though I have to say.

 

[Lemon]

Hi Fen

Why intrigued I ask??

The reason for bodyshop choice was numerous really. I know Porscheshop do not have their own bodyshop, they do the stripping of parts and have another local company do the painting then they screw it all back together.

I had been to a number of bodyshops local to me and they fell into differing categories in my eyes. One wanted to practically take all panels off for no reason to paint sections, did not fancy even bigger panel gaps. Others turned their nose up due to the age of the car, all they wanted was insurance work on brand new cars. A couple were in the running, but one local one to me who was the same price as Porscheshop had no previous of pulling a 944 apart (and I would have had to source clips, door seals and bits etc) and we all know how knowledge makes taking simple things like badge panels off a breeze. And another well know Northern Indie who I was extremely confident would do a fantastic job, wanted telephone numbers to do the work and the cost would have made me question keeping what is just another hobby.

And the other reason. Well Paul at Porscheshop was nothing short of professional when I went to see him. He was the only one that gave me a written estimate (which I am sure will change as paint is removed and we see what corrosion is evident), every other bodyshop ummed and arrghed, well it may be this or it may be that or it could be this!!! and Paul talked me through everything and was prompt in answering questions afterwards by e mail.

Will let you know how it goes though[]

 

[xenon]

Be good to see some WIP photos, if possible, as John said.

 

[Lemon]

ORIGINAL: xenon

Be good to see some WIP photos, if possible, as John said.

Unfortunately I am away with work so will not be able to pop down and see work in progress or get any piccies, but I will e mail Paul and see if they have a camera at the bodyshop.

 

[Fen]

Just intrigued as Porscheshop tend to have a reputation for being expensive (marking up dealer parts for example) and supplying the wrong parts based on my experience their ads and what I read on here.

 

[Lemon]

Hi Fen

I have read that too and sometimes I know certain people on here have not got exactly what they ordered, but we are all human after all and like to give people the benefit of the doubt.

But so far my experience with them has been nothing but pleasant and their prices seem reasonable so far and seem to be on a par for the work I am having done with the "local" garage/bodyshop.

Will let you know how I get on.

 

[Hilux]

One wanted to practically take all panels off for no reason to paint sections

Top company in my book, probably not cheap but if I have a respray its windows out and all panels off and sprayed properly.

 

[Lemon]

ORIGINAL: Hilux

One wanted to practically take all panels off for no reason to paint sections

Top company in my book, probably not cheap but if I have a respray its windows out and all panels off and sprayed properly.

I am having the windscreen out for the work I am having done at present. Also bumpers, badge panel, light pods etc. So I do understand the importance of such things.

My reason for that comment was one wing needs a little bit of fettling in the paint department, but only slight paint correction more than anything, but in my opinion did not warrant taking the wing off, which then of course breaks the paint on the nuts that hold the wings on for no reason.

 

[sawood12]

I feel I must put some performance mods on hold to take care of some bodywork issues. Actually having spoken to a few people who have had full resprays recently I'm quite surprised and how relatively inexpensive they are. Sure it is alot of dosh but by the time you've splashed out on having three or four areas sorted you're not far off. I've got three seperate small areas showing signs of rust so rather than having the patchwork paint finish under Sodium lights for 75% of the cost of a full respray i'd rather pay the extra 25% and get the job done properly. Maybe in 12 months or so...

 

[Suffolk944]

Hope I am not tempting fate but my '85 model doesn't look to have any rust issues at all whereas many younger examples seem to.

Am wondering if maybe she had work done in the past, that said there is a sizeable folder full of old bills from when she was new onwards that doesn't seem to include any bodywork sorting.

 

[sawood12]

Mine has only popped up in the last few month or so. The bottom of the front wings have been dodgy since i've had the car as the trims are loose through loosing the fixing lugs.

 

[Lemon]

May be a bit premature but should have an e mail tomorrow letting me know how the car is finishing off and hope to get it back all finished[]

Only been without it for 13 weeks []

Although compared to some peoples projects on here that is positively speedy.

Missing it now and cannot wait to drive it again.

Will feel like a rocket compared to the old diesel Espace.