new member with questions on paint

I have just acquired a 2000 C2 cab. Seal grey with nothing aftermarket. It's my first sports car and definately first porsche. I love the car and am quickly finding that it is a whole other way to get around. I have plenty of things I want to do to get it into shape. I understand that I should make intros and include pics (having trouble figuring that part out).... So nice to meet you gentlemen.. Got a question for the pros... I just ordered a hardtop and plan to get an aero kit. Thing is the car has multiple small areas for paint touch up. It will be a while before I get the kit. Should I wait for the kit prior to getting the paint touch ups? Will it make a difference in cost, color matching etc??

Finally figured out how to post pics..... my apologies.

John - Nice looking cab! Welcome to the Porsche Phunny Pharm. I was going to warn you about mods making your wallet "skinny," but apparently I am too late! If I understand your question/problem correctly, you have found a few spots (stone chips, maybe?) that need some paint touch up. You want to know if you should do them now or wait until you get the aero kit painted. If I have misunderstood your question, let me know. Do you plan on doing the paint touch up yourself with a paint pen, or are you going to have the paint shop do the touch up? If you are going to do it yourself, you can do it now. Just take your time and make sure you let the paint dry completely before you buff it out. If you are going to have the paint shop do it, it would probably be cheaper in the long run to have them do it all at the same time.

Thanks for the welcome. This feels a little like Fight Club, but I like it..... You have understood me correctly. There are multiple stone chip spots and 3 minor scratches. Is it reasonable to try to repair them myself? I am not super handy, but could probably handle a paint pen and buffer. Maybe I could do the spots and leave the scratches for later? If not, I was thinking it would make sense to add the hardtop, eventually get the kit and overall paint touch ups at the same time, at a reputable, but reasonably priced shop (anyone know one in Chicagoland area?).

I might try to repair small chips in the paint but I would definately leave painting any scracthes to the pros. In your case I would probably spring an extra couple of bucks to the same shop that is going to paint the hard top.....remember, they have to color match it and as long as they have a match...you might as well let them fix all the dings at the same time. If you do decide to DIY then just be careful not to burn the paint when buffing the repairs. Good Luck...and welcome to the club!

John - If most of the stone chips are on the bumper, then you could get the paint shop remove it and re-spray the it when they spray the aero kit. DId you order the hardtop from a dealer? If so, them I am assuming it will come painted to match your car. Did you try to find a hardtop on the internet? While it may be difficult to locate one in your color, it may be cheaper to find a used one and have it repainted. Just a thought. Personally, if I had a cab (I don't) I would get the aero before the hardtop, especially since Spring is just around teh corner.

I have used the Langka paint chip repair kit with great results on my black Boxster, getting ready to use it my 996. It is a little tricky at first so start out small and be patient. Once you get the hang of it you will be amazed at how easy it is. You need to buy the touch up paint from a dealer or resaler, matched black real good. I do not recomend the whole Lanka kit, just the Blob Elminator...thats your call. also, I would not waste your money on the CD rom...it is no different than the instructions online. I have no affiliation just passing on my experience. Small chips are hardly noticable, I had a 1-2 inch scratch that was notciable up close but from a few feet you could not see it. Good luck. http://www.langka.com/

Sorry I wasn't clear initially. I got the hardtop on ebay in the same color. It has a 1-2 scratch, but I got it for $800. Hope that was a decent deal. I plan to have the scratch painted with the rest of the touch ups. Almost all of the chips are on the bumper. Both doors also have some chips on the edges from open the door against something. It may be wise for me to let the pros do it this time and I can be ready for future maintenance.... From reading prior posts it looks like the clear bra is the way to go?

Johnny - many folks on the forum like the clear bra, especially those on the 997 Forum for the new cars. One common theme that keeps surfacing in all of the "clear bra" threads is the importance of having an EXCELLENT installer. While the film type is important, most seem to think the installer is just as important, if not more so, as the type of film used. I do not have a clear bra, but this is what I have gleaned from numerous threads on the subject.

Great choice Johnny, car looks like new! Welcome to the cab crew. I had the same predicament...ended up waiting 6 months till i got the aero parts and having body shop take care of everything at once. My boy that owns the shop says they can usually touch up scratches, chips, with amazing results without major costs. I should get an estimate tomorrow so I'll let you know what a "ballpark" rate is for this type of job. Getting front aero bumper and skirts painted and touching up some scratches along fender, back bumper and removable hardtop. Oh getting bumperettes painted as well. Thats a great price on a matching color hardtop. Usually in the $1k range from my own experience and seeing whats out there.

PS. met a guy with a brand new 997 seal grey with the 3M clear and saw it out in the sun. The lines are noticeable when dirty. Some boarders opt for bumper resprays. Guess its a matter of personal preference.

996 Jammy Thanks for the info. I got lucky on the top. Good to hear that touch ups can be reasonable. I think I'll do the same and get the kit, then do all painting at once.... I am a newby so you all can shoot me on site if that is what's called for but..... what is a bumperette? I've seen it referred to several times, but could not tell by the context. Look forward to hearing what a ballpark rate is for such a job.....

bumperettes=the twp rear ruober bumper covers. Painting them looks cleaner, like an '02