Author Topic: The beast is no longer red (Read 7035 times)

Jetta Fan · « **on:** September 26, 2007, 05:27:45 am »

Well, I finally got around to painting my 97 Jetta. Had to replace the driver's door becuse of a rust hole. It was easier to replace the door than fix the hole. Other than that, it was just some mild surface rust and some faded red paint (waxing wasn't on the previous owner's priority list) that needed attention. The new colour is a GM colour called Fine Silver Birch Metallic (I know, I know....it's not a GM, but I was buying paint for my Jimmy and it was cheaper this way).

Rust hole in door

"New" door installed

Ready to paint

Yes, I even did the door jambs etc

Bits and pieces

Inprocess

Finished and ready for reassembly

Painted the door handles, mirrors, front and rear lip and tow hook covers in the front bumper just to give it a different look. Now all I need are some better looking rims. I'll post a few pics of the reassembled car when I get them off the camera.

Slave2School · « **Reply #1 on:** September 26, 2007, 05:49:47 am »

I think that looks great, good job! Did you clear coat it too?

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #2 on:** September 26, 2007, 06:54:06 am »

Thanks Slave2School.

Yep, base coat/clear coat.

Slave2School · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2007, 06:58:52 am »

I think that silver looks fine, gives it a more modern mature driver look

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2007, 07:01:20 am »

Mature driver? Just what are you implying? :wink:

Slave2School · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2007, 07:04:58 am »

LOL you know what I mean. Silver is a "safe" colour in my mind at least. I would consider silver for the BMW too but my wife already decided what it should be. My dad has a silver Golf, it looks classy.

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2007, 07:09:42 am »

LOL I know what you meant. I just wouldn't want you to imply that I was old or drove like a mature person. :lol:

Classy? Must be referring to the car and not the driver. :lol:

burn_your_money · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2007, 09:10:52 am »

nice, looks good. I need to learn how to paint

1slowvw · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2007, 10:48:30 am »

Looks great man, love the choice of colour.

1SlowVW

duffer · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2007, 10:54:40 am »

That's a very good finish.

I don't know about "mature".

I don't think you should park
too close to the road.

All that nice, bright, shiny silver
paint is likely to have you
declared a traffic hazard

Good job.

MacGyver · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2007, 02:00:46 pm »

What brand & type of paint did you use?
Did you add a flex agent to the paint used on the plastic parts or not? Or is that even necessary anymore?

Slave2School · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2007, 03:44:25 pm »

Semi off topic

My dad had a Volvo 240 he did in marine green with an electric fence sprayer one summer when I was younger

That looked quite good after he waxed the bodies from the bugs out hahahaha.

I love it when people have the skills to save thousands of dollars and restore a car to a nice finish.

Jetta Fan · « **Reply #12 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:52:41 am »

Thanks for the compliments guys.

MacGyver, the paint was Omni base coat/clear coat. They (the supplier) said Omni is made by PPG. I didn't use a flex agent to paint the plastic parts. I'm not sure if you need it witht eh changes in the paint over the last several years. Some say yes, some say no. I asked about it when I bought the paint and they said it wasn't necessary, so I didn't get it.

Tyler, it's not that hard. But you have to be patient with the prep.

Slave2School, I know a guy that used one of those electric paint guns on his car and it didn't turn out too bad. That $150 Rabbit he painted looked a lot better than when he started. :lol:

And I know all about bugs in the paint.

Duffer, I think I'm safest when I'm parked. :wink:

1slowvw, thanks. I wasn't sure what it was going to look like since it's not a VW colour, but i'm pleased with it.

Here's what I bought the paint for originally.....the 97 Jimmy. The burgundy colour is factory original, but I did the two tone to fix some flaking paint. I knew I couldn't match the factory finish if I went with the original colour, so I went witht he two tone job.