I have 2 minor issues with my 328 and Im looking for info. 1) Where can I send my air box so that I can have the "Ferrari" stenciled back onto it? 2) I notice on my targa top, the black is beginning to fade slightly. This may seem a stupid question but can it be re-painted? anyone know the exact color black that it is? Thanks in advance for any help.
eBay has a stencil kit. Ferrari 308 328 Airbox Restoration Lettering Stencil | eBay I'm sure the box can be repainted rather easily.
A couple of years ago I bought/ tried the stencil kit. After 5 attempts I gave up . Each time the appearance was totally unsastifactory. About a year ago I decided to give it one more shot and after several more attempts, I finally got it to where, from a normal viewing distance, it looks good. BUT it is not easy to do and can be very frustrating despite using all the published "tricks" that are posted on this site re using the stencil. Do a search and you will see lots of thoughts re the stencil as well as some postings for a shop that will redo it if you send it to them. I don't recall the name of the shop.
I too had 0 luck with the stencil. It became too infurating to do successfully and my air box is still plain black wrinkle. I think Italian Car parts does an exchange service to properly paint the airbox white lettering.
Have not used this but here is the info. Italian Car Parts - Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lamborghini, Lancia, Fiat, DeTomaso Ferrari Air Box Top308/328 injected Air Box Bottom Our service is available for all injected models from1980 through 1989 and includes stripping the entire air box top, repair minor dings & dents, surface preparation, re-wrinkle black paint, and apply WHITE SILK SCREEN. Astound club members at your next Ferrari meet. Compare your air box top to any other. You won’t believe the difference. 100 Point Concourse correct! Top only with silkscreen: #frS01 $249.50 ea* Bottom only: #frS02 $69.95 ea*
As you know, the targa top is just painted. I used whatever rattlecan of black that I had and it came out at 99% to the uninitiated and about 80% to tifosi. The can I had was old and had a lousy spray pattern but newer cans should do fine. The good news is that if you don't like it just spray it again! Remember, this is NOT vinyl, it is NOT leather, it is cast plastic. Oh, after you get the top VERY clean and dry you will see how awful it looks, especially in daylight.
1) same frustrating experience here as already described ... stencil hardly works 2.) don`t paint it ... just use: black shoe cream not kidding, have been using it for years on my 308 and it works great you just put it on with a small towel, treat the whole targa top evenly, polish afterwards at first it will look a bit shiny but after it dries out for an hour or so, the top comes out in the same nice matt black color it originally had treat, polish, repeat - after a couple of regular treatments your targa top will be almost as new - old Porsche targa driver trick ... this is what I use Collonil Waterstop Cream Leather Shoe Boot Polish/Waterproof- 18 Colors - 2.5 oz | eBay
I used the stencil and it came out very good. but it's a PITA to use. The best advice i have it to buy a can of spray mount - and spray the back of the stencil with that and put it in place. spray it and let it dry over night. then remove the 1st part of the stencil and repeat with the 2nd part .. the key is to let it dry. also clean the air box very well and get all the oil off it ... prime and paint first - so you have a clean surface. light coats of the white. edges can be touched up with an artist brush... it takes a lot of TIME. to do it right. an air brush helps even more.
As others have noted the go-to place is Italian Car Parts in Oregon. I currently have my airbox up there for refurbishment, so can't comment yet on quality, but all the others I've seen that they have done are extremely nice. In talking with them, I've learned that they outsource to two seperate shops to do the painting and the silk screening. They have about 10 different refurbished airbox tops on the shelf for exchange, but there are a few missing from their inventory (like mine!) which then have to go through the slow restoration process themselves. If you also have abrasion on the airbox from rubbing on the rear lid, it is important to fix the abrasion points or else the marks will all just come back. Here is a thread I created to document my process:http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/481460-gts-qv-how-lower-airbox-so-no-longer-rubs-against-engine-cover.html
I use Mothers Back to Black on my roof and spoiler. It did a pretty good job and looked great, but as with anything else it wears off over time. PDG
I have seen the work in the past and it was quite good. Don't know who does them for him and I am unsure if they are aware of the different markings for different models.