993 MY'95 paint system? Advice on minor paint repair.

[TRabun]

I own a 1995 C2 with Arctic Silver paint. What is the paint system? I've been told that Porsche did not use a clear coat system until 1996 and afterwards. I've also been told that all metallic paints (circa 1995) are clear coat system. What is, or how do I find the answer?

I have very minor bubbling just below the passenger's side front windshield rubber seal. I'm told that is not uncommon due to water gathering, leaking through the corner of the seal, laying dormant under the seal, then over time causing corrosion due to light surface rust just under the paint. I beleive the best repair is to remove the windshield, "get to the bottom" of the problem, clear any rust, prime and repaint. - then replace the seal with a new one when re-installing the windshield. Thus the question about the paint system. I am fastidious about originality.

While I've not experienced any windshield squeeking - some say that it is not uncommon and that old time cloth electricians tape should be placed on the windshield edge between the windshiels and rubber seal. This sounds like inviting new water retention and potential corrosion. Any experience with this?

Thanks for any insight, experience, advice.

[Loren]

Are you sure it is Arctic Silver and not Polar Silver?

Do you have the paint code?

For MY95 993

Polar Silver (metallic) was available in both conventional (oil based) and water based paint.

The paint code will tell which your car is.

92E = Polar Silver (metallic) (conventional paint)

92M = Polar Silver (metallic) (water based paint)

[TRabun]

Are you sure it is Arctic Silver and not Polar Silver?

Do you have the paint code?

For MY95 993

Polar Silver (metallic) was available in both conventional (oil based) and water based paint.

The paint code will tell which your car is.

92E = Polar Silver (metallic) (conventional paint)

92M = Polar Silver (metallic) (water based paint)

How embarrassing. Of course it's Polar Silver (I know the difference...). The paint code is L 92M PT, therefore water based. I assume water based paint is the more current system (environmental reasons). Is this water based paint clear coated?

Any advice on taping the windshield before re-install?

Thanks.

[Loren]

Are you sure it is Arctic Silver and not Polar Silver?

Do you have the paint code?

For MY95 993

Polar Silver (metallic) was available in both conventional (oil based) and water based paint.

The paint code will tell which your car is.

92E = Polar Silver (metallic) (conventional paint)

92M = Polar Silver (metallic) (water based paint)

How embarrassing. Of course it's Polar Silver (I know the difference...). The paint code is L 92M PT, therefore water based. I assume water based paint is the more current system (environmental reasons). Is this water based paint clear coated?

Any advice on taping the windshield before re-install?

Thanks.

Yes, the water based paint was required in various countries (including the US) a few years ago. So that is what most shops have now.

On a 993 there is an upper and lower frame (gasket) that the windshield sits in. Porsche has a sealer adhesive that is used to bond the two to the body. Chances are this needs to be re-done by a good glass shop. Curing time on the adhesive is 3 hours - so you should not plan to drive the car for the almost half of a day.

On some 996's Porsche has a rope bead that installers are allowed to use to help get a tight seal and guard against squeaks and rattles. The might help some too - so I would ask the shop about that too.

BTW... there is no reason they can't re-use your old windshield as long as it is not damaged.

[TRabun]

Are you sure it is Arctic Silver and not Polar Silver?

Do you have the paint code?

For MY95 993

Polar Silver (metallic) was available in both conventional (oil based) and water based paint.

The paint code will tell which your car is.

92E = Polar Silver (metallic) (conventional paint)

92M = Polar Silver (metallic) (water based paint)

How embarrassing. Of course it's Polar Silver (I know the difference...). The paint code is L 92M PT, therefore water based. I assume water based paint is the more current system (environmental reasons). Is this water based paint clear coated?

Any advice on taping the windshield before re-install?

Thanks.

Yes, the water based paint was required in various countries (including the US) a few years ago. So that is what most shops have now.

On a 993 there is an upper and lower frame (gasket) that the windshield sits in. Porsche has a sealer adhesive that is used to bond the two to the body. Chances are this needs to be re-done by a good glass shop. Curing time on the adhesive is 3 hours - so you should not plan to drive the car for the almost half of a day.

On some 996's Porsche has a rope bead that installers are allowed to use to help get a tight seal and guard against squeaks and rattles. The might help some too - so I would ask the shop about that too.

BTW... there is no reason they can't re-use your old windshield as long as it is not damaged.

Thanks for the assist!

Truitt