Wing/Sill options

[bennyboy]

Well, after 2 trips to an Indie and 2 times on the lift, my offside front wing just looks too tatty to leave. The usual place, right down at the bottom, behind the wheel. I had hoped to ignore it for a while, but I think using the 4-point lift and supporting the car in that region has made matters worse. So I am considering my options...

1. Buy a replacement steel wing, paint and fit - about £75 used

2. Buy a fibreglass wing - fiddle with to fit, paint, fit - about £95 (but lighter?!)

3. Cut it out and weld in a new steel section - ?

I know Promax were talking about getting a steel section made up to sell but not sure if they ever got round to it?

Opinions please[]

 

[Riverside]

I had my existing wings repaired last year, if the rest of the wing is okay I'd recommend that, although on mine only the part below the rough paint section needed doing so it was much cheaper to paint only that part. I think if you fitted only one fibreglass wing it would look odd.

 

[Copperman05]

I think you would struggle to get a good second hand wing for that much, as I would gather most are in the same state nowadays and any breakers with a really good one will be asking for a premium price (they are £400+ new). If you have found a good one however you have done well.

You may not be 100% happy with the fit of a fiberglass wing as apparently the fit is not great, perhaps more suitable to a track car where fit and finish isnt so important.

My S2 is having its front wing repaired at the moment, rust cut out and new section fitted. A good bodyshop should be able to provide a finish that is imperceptible to the original, propably more economical than replacing the wing too.

Edd

 

[Frenchy]

Ben,
Go with steel keep it original,usually only the bottom needs repared as you know a good bodyshop will make a great job, then clatter it with rustproofer and keep mud and crud cleaned out of the sill extensions.

 

[bennyboy]

although on mine only the part below the rough paint section needed doing so it was much cheaper to paint only that part

Yes I have that same issue. Edd - would you mind letting me know what you end up paying and how good the work is? Many thanks.

 

[Copperman05]

Most certainly will, Dave from Daytona Coachworx (where the work is being done) has promised me pictures of work in progress and I plan to post up the results here once work has been completed. Bear in mind mine is also having the front end resprayed.

Edd

 

[morris944s2john]

I did this on my S2 a few years ago, http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~jgm/ekmm/porsche944.htm , It helps if you go on a restoration course!
rust

Repair section made up using metal folder and shrinker stretcher to get the right shape.

Finally all primed up, block sanded and ready for top coat.

At college they have spray booths so I use 2-pack paint wearing air mask.

 

[Copperman05]

Interesting post, I think my wings are probably nearly as shot as yours, looks like it takes some skill!

Edd

 

[xenon]

Presumably because Guard's Red is so prone to washing out that a good colour match would have been difficult.

 

[Alpine]

Ben

I had the same problem as you and had new metal welded in, by a guy near York, is that too far away for you? You need to pick the right man for the job, your average paint shop wont be interested and will tell you to fit new wings.

 

[morris944s2john]

sc0tty said " Why sand and primer the whole wing, when only the stoneguard area was rusted? "

because there were a lot of small stone chips and touched in stone chips and imperfections, little scratches etc across the rest of the wing, plus, as said Guards red is tricky to match, plus the paint kept going dull, being the original paint on that wing. While you have the paint mixed it is just as easy to paint the whole wing.

 

[bennyboy]

You need to pick the right man for the job, your average paint shop wont be interested and will tell you to fit new wings.

How funny - I got exactly that from my local last night! York is about an hour from me so that would be fine Phil. How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking? Some good skill there John - you should offer your services!?[]

 

[david924s]

I had both the wing bottoms on my S2 repaired by a local specialist (Pride and Joy Classics in Middlesbrough) he cut out the rusty metal and replaced it then painted the bottom section. I was lucky that the rust was within the stoneguard area so the repaint was limited. He charged me £230 about 2.5 years ago but I have had no problems since and the colour match is great.

 

[Alpine]

ORIGINAL: bennyboy

You need to pick the right man for the job, your average paint shop wont be interested and will tell you to fit new wings.

How funny - I got exactly that from my local last night! York is about an hour from me so that would be fine Phil. How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking? Some good skill there John - you should offer your services!?[]

Ben

The guy you need to ring is Mark Walker of MW Bodyworks at Elvington, York on 01904 607788. He subcontracts the welding work out but did a great job on my wings. I paid about £400 plus vat for both wings, but it is much cheaper than buying new wings, and having them painted and fitted. Mention my white 944 to him and he will probably remember doing the work in 2008 (he painted my cills too last year).

 

[bennyboy]

Thanks Phil

 

[Neil Haughey]

On a road car I would probably do the repair to the bottom of the wing as above. When we took the steels wings of my race car it was the same story as above. They looked OK on the car but fell apart once off the car, annoying thing is apart from the bottoms the rest of the wings were perfect. The German/Polish fibreglass panels (Teile) look superb but I don't know if anyone has tried these on a UK car yet, they could be brilliant, they have the mottling effect like stone chip at the bottom to make them look identical to stock steel wings on a road car.