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joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

I have this center light for a 924/944 in perfect condition. However it is faded. I would rather put some kind of red tint sheeting on this one, than buy a new-used one for 80+ bucks. What I am asking, how could I refinish this?

What do you think?

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Smoothie · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:42 am Post subject:

Last year as part of my strip, blast, weld, bodyfill, sand, and repaint pig of a project,
I gave the side marker lenses a coat of spraycan clear enamel to renew them and
make the scratches disappear. You might try something similar, but with candyapple
(translucent) red. -But in your case the even-ness of the application would be more
critical, so practice on a piece of glass if necessary. -And use only enamel -
that's what I used and it worked. I'm thinking lacquer might melt and/or crack the
plastic.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

That was the first thing I thought to do. Translucent paint! But then i went to Advance looking for such a paint and they were like, uuhhh, duhh. I have yet to find a source for cans of the stuff.

Smoothie · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:11 pm Post subject:

Try a hobby shop. Testors markets it in 3oz. spray cans - http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=TESR2505
Plastic models happen to be made of the same stuff as plastic automotive lenses - polystyrene, so that should do just fine.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

You can also buy it in small (about 3.0 oz) bottles if you want to reduce and apply using an airbrush.

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

why candy apple? Why not just red? Does candy apple look more like a tail light lense color?

morghen · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 9102 Location: Romania

no...just get some red transparent paint...that will do the job....i tinted my lights with transparent red paint and it looks perfect !

after you get it painted get us some pics..i'm curious of how the CGT looks with that thing on.
_________________
Supercharger and EFI kits
https://www.the924.com

Smoothie · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:52 am Post subject:

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

I bought some testors 1605 candy apple from walmart. It was 2.97.

I carefully masked the letters

I did not sand the lense before painting. I used grease/wax remover to get it squeaky clean.

The finished product looks ok, but picked up some microscopic fuzz. I really dont like how it attracted contaminants. I used thinner to remove the first coat because of contaminants, and did the next coat inside in a controlled atmosphere. Same thing. I guess you cant really see the imperfections from any further away than a foot or so. What do you think?

_________________
87 924s
88 924SE gone
447 hp cgt clone
87 924S gone
84 944 sold
83 944 sold
89 turbo S LSD, ABS etc
86 951 white rocket
85 944 sport everything.
84 944 sold.
87 944 sold

RC · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 2637 Location: Australia

Think it looks absolutely brilliant! An amazing transformation!

Roger

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

You did a great job restoring it, Joe, but why? Its like bronzing a turd!
_________________
Toofah King Bad

WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

I have a jar of gold turds on my shelf at home.

This closeup shows the crap that blew out from under the letters porsche when I painted. It is just around the letters, but drives me friggin nuts. You would never see it with it on the car, but I am a nut about paint.

_________________
87 924s
88 924SE gone
447 hp cgt clone
87 924S gone
84 944 sold
83 944 sold
89 turbo S LSD, ABS etc
86 951 white rocket
85 944 sport everything.
84 944 sold.
87 944 sold

924guy · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:51 am Post subject:

joecitizennn · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2096 Location: no mans land

but is it worth drilling holes in the license plate recess to mount it, or should I just sell it on ebay?
_________________
87 924s
88 924SE gone
447 hp cgt clone
87 924S gone
84 944 sold
83 944 sold
89 turbo S LSD, ABS etc
86 951 white rocket
85 944 sport everything.
84 944 sold.
87 944 sold

968rz · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 537 Location: S. E. Wisconsin

Good job Joe!
As for putting in on now, Use double sided tape and step back - if YOU like it drill - if not sell.
_________________
Rick
79 924 coupe Petrol Blue 3spd auto (wife's DD)
93 968 coupe Amazon Green 4spd Tip (my DD)