I use a roof rack on my 09 911 for my bikes.

A recent incident with the rack resulted in 4 dings in the roof. None of them are big, easily smaller than common hail damage.

I found the most prestigious body shop in my area (where my colleagues take their vehicles) to get a quote.

One problem is that one of the dings on the roof went down to the primer. The other problem is that one other ding is actually outside of the roof section, above the door shared with the rear quarter panel.

My quote was for just over $1700. The money is less concerning to me than what was entailed. 1.) remove dings and repaint the entire roof section 2.) Sand sunroof section and repaint despite it having no damage whatsoever 3.) remove ding above door and repaint the entire rear quarter panel to taillight, under door.

I'm not really questioning the body shops' approach, especially towards the roof repaint (should I be?). I'm more concerned with the entire paint job associated with a tiny ding, long term quality, removing the factory paint, resell? What about a targa-esque look with a dark vinyl wrap over the roof?

Second opinion?

 

KK, if the shop seems more then capable take it back to stock form is my opinion, don't mess with a targa like look.

 

+1 definetly do that

 

KK,

As an avid bicyclist who will frequently be transporting his bicycle on my 911 I've got a couple of questions.

1) Was the damage to the roof an inevitable consequence of installing/using the roof rack? (As opposed to maybe just a moment of inattention installing/removing?)
2) Do you use the Porsche rack (rebranded THULE I think)?

Also, any chance of posting some pictures that show the location/nature of the damage?

Thanks.

 

But stay away from that targa look. I think that would be a big mistake. Good Luck!

Tom

 

Yes I know all I need is rocking chair and I can do Clampets or Griswalls, but I enjoy maximizing my cars.

I don't have pics of the damage and frankly it would be difficult to see even standing near the car. Only when it's freshly washed you may notice a few dings.

The "problem" was me. I'm using the yakima rack which has the mounts/ feet that screw into the hard points on the roof and the crossbar towers rest in those feet. I elected to save some time from disassembling the entire cage and crossbar and attempted to lower it onto the feet. Like I said, it was awkward and a little heavy. I probably could have averted any damage if I just laid a bath towel on the opposite side of the roof as I lowered it......... OR....... I could have just waited for help.

Bottom line: I was impatient.

 

I chose the Yakima as it was about a third of the cost, and is obviously well made. Yakima was definitely non-contributory in this incident.

However, I would like to see the Porsche/ Thule crossbars and how they mount. The Yakima "feet"/ towers are plastic with a simple rubber ring which rests on the roof and mounting area. I was a bit surprised of how much surface area it touches.

I've seen other applications on BMW's where the "feet" mounted directly inside of the threaded locking point and there was no contact with any painted surface.

Again, I've not had any problems with the yakima mount that rests on the surface but I could easily forsee some type of movement, rotation, dirt, that could.

Does the Thule/ Porsche mount touch the surface as well? I'd be willing to convert.

 

Don't we have some really really good paintless dent guys on this board who can chime in?

I seem to recall some amazing pictures of huge ass dents being fixed like it was nothing.

Painting the car affects resale, I would explore other options before getting the car painted.

 

What you're describing does not sound like anything worth repainting the roof for. Sounds like a job for paintless dent removal, followed by the careful application of some touch-up paint (available from the parts dept. of your local dealer).

 

CAPITALIST I think is/was his nick. Unless it was over on 6speed? Can't remember ...