David Finest Sports Cars
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DAVID ATELIER
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PORSCHE 964 RESTORATION: BODYWORK AND PAINTWORK IN DETAIL

DAVID ATELIER
PORSCHE 964 RESTORATION · PART 4 OF 6

PORSCHE 964 RESTORATION: BODYWORK AND PAINTWORK IN DETAIL

Part 4 of the restoration series focuses on the paintwork of the Porsche 964: The body was stripped down to the bare metal, rebuilt true to the original, and prepared for the subsequent paint job.

THE BODY IS TAKING SHAPE AGAIN

After disassembly, bodywork, and an engine overhaul, the focus is now on the exterior of the Porsche 964.

The body was fully prepared at the HK paint shop. The old paint was stripped down to the bare metal, damaged areas were repaired, and a new protective coating was applied.

The focus here is not simply on achieving the most perfect high-gloss finish possible. Rather, it is crucial that the structure, coat thickness, and details remain as close as possible to the original factory condition.

PORSCHE 964 PAINT JOB: WHAT HAPPENS IN PART 4?

BODYWORK DOWN TO THE METAL

The old paint was completely removed. This allows for a thorough assessment of the substrate, repair areas, and body structure, enabling them to be rebuilt properly.

FAITHFUL REPRODUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL PAINT SYSTEM

The underbody, engine compartment, seams, and body structure are finished to look as close as possible to the original Porsche factory condition.

EPOXY & RUST PROTECTION

The bare metal panels are coated with a new layer of epoxy. This provides long-term protection for the body against corrosion and, at the same time, creates a stable base for the subsequent layers of paint.

PREPARING FOR THE FINAL COAT OF PAINT

The Porsche will later be painted green. Before the final coat of paint is applied, additional priming, hand-sanding, and extensive detailing work will be carried out.

THE BODY WAS COMPLETELY STRIPPED DOWN

The Porsche 964 was completely disassembled and then stripped down to bare metal.

The old paint was removed to prevent an unnecessarily thick total paint layer and to ensure that the subsequent rebuild remains as authentic as possible.

Paint thickness plays a particularly important role in an extensive restoration.

The goal, therefore, is not to apply as much material as possible, but to create a clean, thin, and technically sound finish that visually mirrors the original vehicle.

ORIGINALITY IS EVIDENT IN THE DETAILS

Areas that hardly anyone consciously notices later on are particularly important.

The underbody, engine compartment, seams, and body structure are not simply smoothed out or made uniform.

Instead, various components are deliberately restored to match their original factory condition as they were when the Porsche was new.

These include, among other things:

Different body structures
Authentic seam patterns
sealants with an authentic appearance
varying material thicknesses
Authentic surfaces

It is precisely these details that ensure a restored body does not look artificial or over-restored.

EPOXY AS THE BASIS FOR LONG-TERM RUST PROTECTION

Once the vehicle has been stripped down to the bare metal, the body is given a new epoxy coating.

This coating primarily serves to protect against corrosion.

The material penetrates the prepared areas and provides long-term protection for the metal against moisture and new rust spots.

This makes a significant difference compared to a purely cosmetic paint job:

The body isn’t just made to look better—it’s also given new technical protection.

A TRUE-TO-ORIGINAL UNDERBODY INSTEAD OF A SLEEK, NEW LOOK

Careful attention is also paid to authenticity when it comes to the underbody.

The old underbody protection was removed and then rebuilt so that the structure and surface correspond as closely as possible to the original condition.

Not all surfaces are finished exactly the same way.

It is precisely these small differences in texture and material application that contribute to the authentic appearance of a classic Porsche.

The goal, therefore, is not a clinically perfect underbody, but a restored condition that visually reflects the factory finish of that era.

WHY THE CHASSIS NUMBER REMAINS UNCHANGED

When working on the body, there are certain areas that are intentionally left unchanged.

These include, among other things, the chassis number.

Original stitching and certain factory-installed features are also preserved or reconstructed in such a way that the vehicle’s identity remains traceable.

Especially with high-quality classic cars, this attention to detail is an essential part of a professional restoration.

THIN COAT THICKNESS INSTEAD OF A THICK PAINT LAYER

The final paint thickness is also checked regularly.

The goal is a clean, even build-up without unnecessarily thick layers of material.

The thinner and more carefully applied the primer, filler, and paint are, the more authentic the final result will appear.

Especially in the case of a complete restoration, the body should not give the impression upon completion that it has been repainted multiple times or heavily filled.

THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BUILT UP WITH THE SAME ATTENTION TO DETAIL

It’s not just the visible exterior surfaces that are being restored.

The engine compartment also receives the appropriate build-up with the corresponding body structure and a finish faithful to the original.

It is precisely there that, in classic cars, significant differences often become apparent between a quick repaint and a comprehensive restoration.

With the Porsche 964, therefore, the engine compartment should ultimately look as though every component belongs exactly where it is.

THE MOST DIFFICULT BODYWORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED

As of the time this video was recorded, the bodywork and paint preparation are about halfway complete.

The most difficult tasks have already been completed.

Now comes the phase where the details make all the difference:

Careful masking
Additional primer
Re-sanding by hand
Surface inspection
Preparation for the final coat of paint

This is precisely where it is determined whether the result will be merely good or truly high-quality.

THE LAST 10 PERCENT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

There’s a line in the video that sums up the work very well:

The last 10 percent costs 50 percent.

This refers to the effort that goes into the final details.

Smoothing out and painting a car body is one thing.

It takes significantly more time to execute seams, layer thicknesses, transitions, interior areas, and textures in such a way that the result is convincing even upon close inspection.

It is precisely these final steps that distinguish a good restoration from a high-quality one.

ATTACHMENTS ARE ALSO FULLY REFURBISHED

It’s not just the actual body that’s being rebuilt.

Doors, fenders, and other components are also completely refurbished.

They are sandblasted, coated with epoxy, and then primed and painted.

The inner surfaces are also treated in this process.

The goal is for the components to not only look new on the outside later on, but to be fully restored both technically and visually.

ORIGINAL PARTS INSTEAD OF SIMPLY NEW PARTS

An important aspect of the project is the preservation of the original body parts.

A refurbished fender can look like a new part after restoration.

Nevertheless, it remains the original part for this vehicle.

This is a particularly important distinction when it comes to a classic Porsche.

If an existing component can be preserved in a technically sound manner, it is refurbished rather than unnecessarily replaced.

DRYING AND CURING TAKE TIME

Time is also deliberately set aside between the individual painting stages.

Epoxy and primers must cure completely before additional coats are applied.

Some components are therefore dried at a controlled, elevated temperature.

This reduces the risk of materials settling later or surfaces changing over time.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR A CLASSIC VEHICLE

The second part of the video focuses on the technical equipment used in the paint shop.

Modern tools and digitized processes help ensure that paint and coating applications are more reproducible and precise.

These include, among other things:

Digital paint spray guns
Paint measurement via scanner
Automated paint mixing
Precise mixing ratios
Modern painting and drying booths

The restoration of a classic car is thus carried out using traditional craftsmanship, while at the same time benefiting from modern paint technology.

THE MIXING ROBOT ENSURES PRECISE COLOR MATCHES

One unique feature is the automated paint mixing system.

The color can be scanned directly on the vehicle and digitally transmitted to the mixing system.

The robot then mixes the required amount of paint with very high precision.

This reduces deviations that can occur during manual mixing, especially with difficult paint shades.

For a complete vehicle paint job, it is also possible to calculate exactly how much material is needed.

PAINTING AND PREPARATION AS A COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS

The work doesn’t end after painting.

The subsequent vehicle detailing is also part of the process.

After all, a freshly painted body may look perfect on the outside—but the interior, surfaces, and details must also be properly detailed.

The goal, therefore, is a vehicle that not only looks great from every angle but is also built to a high standard as a whole.

KEY FACTS FROM PART 4

01
D DOWN TO THE METAL

The Porsche 964 was completely stripped of its paint, and the body was rebuilt from the ground up.

02
FAITHFUL RECREATION OF THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE

The body structure, underbody, seams, and layer thicknesses are based on the original Porsche factory specifications.

03
EPOXY & RUST PROTECTION

The bare body is coated with a new layer of epoxy to provide long-term protection against corrosion.

04
PREPARING FOR THE FINAL COAT OF PAINT

After another coat of primer and hand sanding, the final paint job on the Porsche 964 begins.

ORIGINALITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP: A JOINT VISION

Part 4 illustrates particularly clearly just how much work goes into areas that are hardly noticeable in the finished vehicle.

The restoration is not simply intended to produce a Porsche that is as smooth and perfect as possible.

Rather, original structures, seams, surfaces, and components are deliberately preserved or restored as authentically as possible.

At the same time, modern materials and processes ensure that the new body is technically better protected than it was more than 30 years ago.

This is where historical authenticity meets today’s standards of restoration quality.

PORSCHE 964 RESTORATION—FROM EXISTING PARTS TO A COMPLETE REBUILD BY DAVID ATELIER FINEST SPORTS CARS, Part 5

THE PROJECT CONTINUES

After bodywork, epoxy application, and extensive preparation, it’s now time for the actual painting.

The Porsche will receive its final coat of paint and will then be reassembled step by step.

NEXT PART OF THE PROJECT

PORSCHE 964 RESTORATION · PART 5 OF 6

VIEW THE NEXT PART OF THE PROJECT

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PORSCHE 964 PAINT JOB

Why was the Porsche 964 completely stripped of its paint?

By completely removing the old paint, the body can be rebuilt from the ground up. At the same time, this helps avoid unnecessarily thick paint layers and old repair spots.

Why is epoxy applied to the car body?

The epoxy coating serves as a new form of corrosion protection and provides a stable base for subsequent primer and paint layers.

Why isn’t the underbody simply smoothed out completely?

The original Porsche structure should be preserved as much as possible or authentically reconstructed. Different body structures and seams are part of the original appearance.

Will the chassis number be repainted?

The original chassis number is retained as an identifying feature and is taken into account accordingly.

Why is a thin paint layer important?

A controlled, thin paint build-up looks more authentic and prevents unnecessarily thick layers of material on the restored body.

Are the original body parts reused?

Where it makes technical sense, yes. Original fenders and other parts are thoroughly refurbished instead of being unnecessarily replaced with new parts.

What color will the Porsche 964 be?

The video already reveals that the car will be green. The specific color of the project series is Oak Green Metallic.

How is the color determined today?

Modern scanners capture the vehicle’s color. The data can then be transmitted to an automated mixing system, which precisely formulates the required color.

CONCLUSION: THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FINAL PAINT JOB IS IN PLACE

Part 4 shows that a high-quality paint job begins long before the actual application of paint.

The body was stripped down to the bare metal, existing structures were reconstructed, and the body was rebuilt with modern corrosion protection.

Original components are retained where appropriate, and even the underbody, engine compartment, and hidden areas are meticulously treated.

Only when this foundation is right does the final coat of paint follow.

The Porsche 964 is now ready for the next big step:

painting and restoration.

TRANSCRIPT OF THE PROJECT EPISODE

Part 4 of the six-part Porsche 964 restoration series takes us to the HK paint shop.

There, we see how the body—stripped down to the bare metal—is rebuilt. The focus is on body structures faithful to the original, epoxy corrosion protection, thin paint layers, and preparation for the subsequent paint job.

The episode also provides insight into modern painting techniques, automated paint mixing, and the preparation of individual body panels.