1973 Porsche 911 Targa restorative correction detail - 62 hours

[gofast908z]

Just completed this car last week at the shop. Normally I like to post cars in the order that they were done and I have a lot to catch up on, however this car was pretty special and I wanted to post it up sooner rather than later.

Long time client recently picked up this all-original 1973 Porsche 911 Targa with the purpose of enjoying it, but he also wanted to enhance the appearance as much as possible while maintaining the originality. This little gem of a Porsche was victim to some bad polishing in its past. Nearly every panel edge had burn marks. The hood and engine cover were particularly abused. In addition to that, the paint was quite thin presenting a challenging task, to restore the condition of the paint as much as possible without further damaging the compromised areas. Much more info provided throughout this writeup.

Total time was 62 hours, not including picking up and delivering the car from the owner's home in Palo Alto and back again.






Condition when I got it to the shop

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%202.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%203.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%204.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%205.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%206.jpg





First up was addressing the numerous dents and dings. There were quite a few. The hood was a challenge with a large arm-print dent right in the center. It was a severe dent and made worse by the rough texture on the underside of the hood making leveling it out quite challenging. So I had a master dent removal tech come out to fix it.


Right at the front of the hood there were a couple bad dings like this one. The back side of this part of the hood is sealed and double-walled. Not an easy fix.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%208.jpg




The arm-imprint dent

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%209.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2011.jpg




The ripple effect of the arm dent caused ripples all the way up the center of the hood

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2012.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2014.jpg



Just a few of the many dings on the driver's door (counted over a dozen)

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2017.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2018.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2023.jpg





Someone inexperienced attempted at fixing the dings on the engine cover. Several of the dings had been pushed out making a proper repair difficult. Luckily the attempt by the previous dent removal guy did not crack the paint.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2026.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2027.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2028.jpg





Plenty of crud, dirt, old wax, and scratches all round every single letter on the engine cover

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2031.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2033.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2034.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2044.jpg







Plenty of dirt and dead paint under this beautiful piece. Would be removed to gain access and restore this area. Its the small things that make a big difference at the end

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2042.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%201%2045.jpg






While I worked on the emblem and grate removal, the master tech Joe from Dent Pro worked his magic for many hours to remove several dozen dings and dents.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%203.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%204.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%206.jpg




The condition of the engine cover after emblem removal and dent repair. The long road to restoring this was just beginning.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%207.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%209.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2010.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2011.jpg





As stated in the beginning, many areas had been burned by previous detailers. These particular edges had been burned quite badly....note the white color along the edges.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2013.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2015.jpg





The original single stage paint had plenty of swirls to go around

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2016.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2017.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2022.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2023.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2023.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2026.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2027.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2029.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2030.jpg

[gofast908z]

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2031.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2032.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2033.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2040.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%201.jpg








50/50 shot after compounding

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%202%2043.jpg






Plenty more defects on the driver's side

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%204.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%205.jpg




Notice again, extensive burns along edges....

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%207.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%208.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%209.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%2010.jpg



Chips and burns here

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%2011.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%2012.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%204%2014.jpg







The wheels were in a poor state. Looked as though someone had use wheel acid on the bare anodized aluminum and heavily stained it. The owner requested that I fully polish the wheels out.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2013.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%204.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%205.jpg




The inside barrels were quite bad too. Lots of old wheel weight adhesive left, tons of brake dust, and a thick layer of grease under all the brake dust.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%209.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%208.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2010.jpg




After stripping off all the grime. Some staining would not come off, but not bad considering the age of the original finish.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2011.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2012.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2022.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2014.jpg





All taped up to protect the flat black paint from the polishing

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2015.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2017.jpg




Making progress

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2018.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2019.jpg




Much better....HD Metal made for some good results

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2020.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/Wheels%2021.jpg






http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%202.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%207.jpg



Looking better

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%208.jpg

[gofast908z]

Exhaust tip before/after

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%2018.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%2019.jpg




Fog light housings polished

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%204.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%206.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%205.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2026.jpg








With all the correction done and coated with CQuartz UK, it was time to start putting things back together

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%2038.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%205%2037.jpg







Paint in the engine bay needed some polishing. It measured around 40 microns, so only light hand polishing would be carried out, nothing aggressive.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%203.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%205.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%206.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%208.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%209.jpg





These slats were filled with ancient compound and wax residue. So after removing this, every individual slat was hand polished.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2010.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2011.jpg






After all the old gunk was removed, you could see that each individual slat was numbered!

Sehr Deutsch.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2051.jpg




The paint underneath now matched the rest of the paint

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2050.jpg



Polished up this trim as well

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2012.jpg






All finished and looking glossy now

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2019.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2018.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2020.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2021.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2024.jpg



Wheels looking sharp. Also owner sourced out new polished and painted center caps to match the wheels

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2025.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2037.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2054.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2030.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2032.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2036.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2038.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2035.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2041.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2042.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2043.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2044.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2046.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2047.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2048.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2049.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2053.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2056.jpg



Payoff for doing the emblem removal

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2057.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2059.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2060.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2061.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2063.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2066.jpg

[gofast908z]

Final shots in the sun

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2068.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2072.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2074.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2075.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2078.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2085.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2087.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2092.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2093.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2094.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2096.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2098.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2099.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%20100.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%20107.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%20113.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%20126.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%20148.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%2086.jpg



Delivered back to the owner...with the paint reflecting everything around it. Look close and see the smile on his face.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/15Corrections/group%206%20151.jpg



Thank you for looking!



Fertig.

[Aaryn NZ]

Simply outstanding my man! :dblthumb2:

Thoroughly enjoyed reading such an in depth post of your work resurrecting a gorgeous Porsche.

I have a soft spot for early Porsches so maybe a bit biased but theres no denying the craftsmanship of a fantastically carried out detail.

Top work mate - Bravo! :props:

Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

[SSStang]

Just amazing what a transformation.

[haris300]

That was unbelievable. I really like how you went about masking the paint on the wheels . Also like those old California plates. Great attention to detail. Well done.

[Gary Sword]

Lots of work with great results.

[blown03]

Wow man , that looks like allot more then 62hours of work . Awesome ,awesome job with amazing attention to detail . I bet he's still wearing that grin !
Daren

[LRC3]

Salute, my friend...

Fantastic work!!!

[MshawnBauer]

Posts like this are why I'm here!! Awesome transformation! :buffing:

[AZ Mike]

Fantastic work. Beautiful restoration of a classic. Thanks for sharing.

[tuscarora dave]

Very impressive, in depth, high quality work there!!

:urtheman:

[BrianMcLeod]

Wow nice work!

[fly07sti]

Great work Jeff. I too have a soft spot for early to mid 70's 911's. They are what got me into detailing when I was a kid. Again, outstanding work!