Painting a 944

Overview

This guide details how to paint a Porsche 944 S / S2 with its 16v engine. It’s crafted for DIY enthusiasts with mechanical experience or to instruct a body shop on achieving a professional finish. The S / S2’s unique body design requires extensive preparation—removing specific components, sanding, and priming—to ensure a flawless paint job. This process enhances the car’s look and protects its value. Expect a quality job to be labor-intensive due to the S / S2’s removable panels and trim.

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Tools Required

• 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench
• 13mm wrench
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Sanding block or orbital sander
• Body filler applicator (for dents)
• Paint sprayer (for professional application)
• Masking tape and paper

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Remove Front-End Components

1. Use a 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench to remove the headlight covers from the Porsche 944 S / S2’s front end.
2. Unscrew and detach the removable nose panel using a Phillips screwdriver and 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench. The S / S2’s design allows this panel to be painted off the car.
3. Remove the front spoiler and bumper with a 13mm wrench and Phillips screwdriver. Detach the bumper pads and lights from the bumper. Note: The S / S2 does not have standard fog lights like the Turbo, so skip that step.
4. Remove the side marker lights with a flathead screwdriver.

Step 2: Remove Mid-Body Components

5. Remove the side mirrors using a Phillips screwdriver.
6. Detach the door handles with a 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench.
7. Gently pry off the roof trim pieces with a flathead screwdriver.
8. Unscrew and remove the sunroof, then take off all seals around the sunroof area. Set the sunroof aside for separate painting.

Step 3: Remove Rear-End Components

9. Detach the rear hatch from the S / S2 using a 13mm wrench. The hatch design is consistent across 944 models.
10. Remove the tail lights with a Phillips screwdriver.
11. Take off the license plate assembly and rear bumper cover using a 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench.
12. Remove the rear side markers with a flathead screwdriver.

Step 4: Prepare the Surfaces

13. Sand the car and all removed parts (e.g., nose panel, sunroof) with a sanding block or orbital sander to strip old paint and smooth surfaces.
14. Repair dents or dings with body filler, sanding again until even.
15. Apply a base coat of primer to the car and all parts. Allow it to dry fully.
16. “Block” the surfaces by adding a second primer coat in a different color. Hand-sand this layer—uneven spots will show through, letting you level them before painting.

Step 5: Paint the Car

17. With surfaces smooth and level, apply the final paint color using a paint sprayer. Follow the paint manufacturer’s guidelines for coats and drying times.
18. Paint all removed parts (e.g., sunroof, bumper, nose panel) separately for even coverage.
19. Reassemble the S / S2 after the paint dries, reversing the removal steps.

Post Procedure Checklist

• Ensure all components (e.g., hatch, bumper, sunroof) are securely reattached.
• Check the paint for uniform coverage, free of runs or bubbles.
• Verify side markers and lights are aligned and operational.
• Confirm sunroof seals are properly installed to prevent water leaks.

Sources

• Clark’s Garage
• Pelican Parts
• Porsche 944 Workshop Manual, Volume 1
• Youtube