Fresh Paint - How important to work with a Porsche specialist?

[bob joyce]

it is worth it to keep a tight eye on the work
best of luck.
maybe if you tell the shop you would like to post progress pictures here the shop might appreciate the exposure.

[dogleg]

Just an update and thanks. I made a decision to work with a local Houston shop just because I really wanted to monitor the project live and up close. Thanks everyone for their suggestions.

[dogleg]

I'm pretty backed up at this time but give me a call. -Scott 619-339-9545

Thank you, Scott. I'm meeting with 2 shops in Houston this week but will reach out of they don't work out.

[Aussie24]

My ‘73 Bromus 911S was repaired and painted by Automotive Associates of Canton, Canton, CT… They know early Porsches and are fairly priced… If you on the East Coast, they are a excellent choice..

[longballa]

I'm pretty backed up at this time but give me a call. -Scott 619-339-9545

[dogleg]

BTW where are you ?what year is your 911 ?

The car is a 72S located in Houston, TX is anyone has any referrals.

[dogleg]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses. I'm going to take all of this into account as I start my search.

[JP]

What is the name of your shop? Do you have a link? Thanks.

Private shop for my cars (for now, at least).

[1967s_307184s]

Visiting my local trimmer recently there was a 64 Carrera II getting interior work. The Carrera was restored/painted by someone in Prescott AZ (non-Porsche restorer), name unknown. Supposedly, owned by someone in FL, again unknown. The Carrera was beautiful except one big problem that stood out, door gaps. No way to hide that and got me to wondering if the owner was keeping tabs on things, I think not. Even if the restorer/painter is a non-Porsche type, to this day can't understand why that car wasn't done right.

[GT3Racerich]

Lots of good advice here and a road I went down as well before I decided to open my own shop. Yes, that's really where I ended up.

As others have said, it's just about the details. Great painters aren't that hard to find but finding a shop that understands the importance of the tiny details and is willing to invest the time to get them right can be challenging.

How picky are you? Here in TX, lots of shops don't want to use single stage Glasurit. That was a deal breaker for me. What about fasteners? Are you unconcerned about the fasteners? Just want to make sure the finish is correct (yellow/silver)? Or are you one of those nuts who cars about the markings on the bolts? Does your shop know who does the best trim work? Or where to get the best-fitting seals?

Ideally, it's always great to work with someone who really knows these cars but if that's not an option than you must find a shop who will consider the project a collaborative effort and allow you the opportunity to consult about the details and be involved day-to-day. Certainly, consulting with an expert can also be helpful if you don't know the details well enough yourself.

Just my $.02.

What is the name of your shop? Do you have a link? Thanks.

[JP]

Lots of good advice here and a road I went down as well before I decided to open my own shop. Yes, that's really where I ended up.

As others have said, it's just about the details. Great painters aren't that hard to find but finding a shop that understands the importance of the tiny details and is willing to invest the time to get them right can be challenging.

How picky are you? Here in TX, lots of shops don't want to use single stage Glasurit. That was a deal breaker for me. What about fasteners? Are you unconcerned about the fasteners? Just want to make sure the finish is correct (yellow/silver)? Or are you one of those nuts who cars about the markings on the bolts? Does your shop know who does the best trim work? Or where to get the best-fitting seals?

Ideally, it's always great to work with someone who really knows these cars but if that's not an option than you must find a shop who will consider the project a collaborative effort and allow you the opportunity to consult about the details and be involved day-to-day. Certainly, consulting with an expert can also be helpful if you don't know the details well enough yourself.

Just my $.02.

[Gold71]

Dog leg..for sure use this group of experts and by all means don’t rush to make decision of which to use …
please take a ton of photos of all details and areas inside , outside and bottom…
try to utilize a member as consultant who is close to you and the painter …Do not select a painter not close to you.

BTW where are you ?what year is your 911 ?

[VintageExcellence]

Shameless plug, I am available for resto consultation, I have painted 2 dozen 911s to expert levels. Experienced in spotting all metal work issues and correct body shaping. I do the final assembly on countless cars so I’ve seen all the issues after bad work more times than I can remember. You want to be able to scrutinize the body in primer before paint is applied - this is the critical juncture where wrongs can be righted before all is lost. Even a mediocre body guy’s work can be righted if someone that really knows their shit gets in evaluates before color is applied. This is a delicate situation because your guy will believe he has it right without your approval in the last stages (95% of the time I find that thought false). Most repaint jobs are not great in my opinion. Often could be leaps better with a little Porsche knowledge thrown in before it’s shot.

I don’t know about “Porsche tax” there are guys that charge a premium for being Porsche specialist, usually earned. Plenty just have a price and you pay it or don’t use them. Get it flat is simple and can be done by any body guy, body fitment is a whole other issue and they all need fitment - trim fitment on top of that for the real top notch cars. I’ve seen some of the the Porsche experts mess up too. Sometimes the problem is so out of the box you need a special Porsche guy and pay the tax or be screwed. The non specialist metal only guy faced with an odd fitment issue will not magically make a Porsche square with all trim fitting A+ If he has never done it before. It takes at least 10 times to fit all the trim to a 911 before you can begin to call yourself an expert. Man have I messed up some trim and fit on cars in the past, I learned when they were cheap, do you want to pay a guy big money to learn when the are expensive

[sebaroher]

Under no circumstances should anyone ever talk with Esposito Restoration as they are active scammers ripping off the Porsche community John Esposito and Laurina Esposito are crooks. Simply google “Esposito restoration fraud”. Just need to get that out there on this new forum.


That being said Porsche painting is a pain these days. Spend more than you think on this area than any other area. Good luck to you!

+1
I sold a nice set of cookie cutters to a member on the bird because his fuchs disappeared when his car went to Esposito.


Now to the OP's question... I think if your car has what my body guy would call "breadcrumbs" then you will be fine. What I mean by that is that the original finish exists providing details on how it gets repaired, goes back together, and finished out. What set my bodywork back was the previous work that was done (repaint in the 70's or 80's) and some poor rust repair this caused a lot of research hours for both me and my body guy. Despite this, I have been thrilled with the work performed by my body guy. I would not hesitate to use a body guy that does not specialize in early 911's as metal work is metal work, paint is paint... As long as they understand how it goes together you will be fine...Sure you can pay the "Porsche tax" and take it to a shop that "specializes" in 911's but you may not necessarily get what you pay for... just my .02

-Sebastian

[VintageExcellence]

Under no circumstances should anyone ever talk with Esposito Restoration as they are active scammers ripping off the Porsche community John Esposito and Laurina Esposito are crooks. Simply google “Esposito restoration fraud”. Just need to get that out there on this new forum.


That being said Porsche painting is a pain these days. Spend more than you think on this area than any other area. Good luck to you!