Lotus Europa Forums > Garage
Paint restoration
surfguitar58:
--- Quote from: dakazman on Monday,December 04, 2017, 05:32:37 PM ---Here is a sample of where my paint is now at 2000 wet sanded . The reflection is a guide as to the
Straightness and level ness. I’m going to 5000 in steps the a 3 part process with compounds and polishes. No wax till 6 months later .
--- End quote ---
That is the finish we can all aspire to. Way more than I can ever hope to get out of my 45 yo factory finish. Nice execution on the flares btw, can’t wait to see the finished product.
dakazman:
Your paint is probably still good , it just needs a makeover. I will not say it’s a wipe on wipe off lol
A simple surface sanding with 1500 in a test 2 inch in the underside area followed by this
3 step process will give you renewed view of your paint . See picture
Different foam pads have different cutting properties, a great but very boring video on you tube .
Thank you for your comment on flares.
Dakazman
surfguitar58:
--- Quote from: dakazman on Tuesday,December 05, 2017, 06:19:55 AM --- Your paint is probably still good , it just needs a makeover. I will not say it’s a wipe on wipe off lol
A simple surface sanding with 1500 in a test 2 inch in the underside area followed by this
3 step process will give you renewed view of your paint . See picture
Different foam pads have different cutting properties, a great but very boring video on you tube .
Thank you for your comment on flares.
Dakazman
--- End quote ---
These are the worst paint problem areas. Fortunately most of the paint is blister-free. Also note these pics were taken by the PO before the car was washed after 10 years of storage. Lotus paint code is L04 or “Cirrus White”.
I realize the perfectionists among us will say a respray is in order here, but I have come to realize I have bought myself a preservation car. Everything on the car is original or reversible at this point. My goal is just to get what I have looking as good as it can get, warts and all.
Don’t get me wrong, I love and respect the innovative highly modified Loti I see in this forum. I’m even a bit envious. Perhaps if this Europa disease metastasizes I’ll find a nice S2 and do it MY WAY, and park them next to each other.
jbcollier:
If you try to buff those blisters out, you'll most likely be left with a pockmarked finish. Leave it as it is and just wash and wax it.
dakazman:
I’m sorry to agree with JB , do not sand , even compounding may open the void in the blisters exposing the fiberglass. There is a wax wash that cleans down to the paint removing a lot of road
Debris , it’s a wipe on wipe process which will leave you with a clean surface to just apply wax .
Dakazman
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