PDA

View Full Version : SpeedFreak Detailed: HAMMERED Lotus Elise correction


speedfreak81
05-22-2012, 09:36 AM
This little Lotus was a referral from a previous client, and was in BAD need of some serious attention. I`m not sure exactly what model year the car is, though I want to say 2006? The beautiful orange/red metallic gloss had morphed into a dull, lifeless, swirled and scratched up nightmare. The paint was rough to the touch, and there were bird droppings on the rear of the car that had been there for some time. The new owner had just bought the car from down south, and knew that this was NOT an acceptable state for such a great automobile!



The decided plan of attack was to correct as many of the defects as possible, and Opti Coat the finish for further protection down the road. I`d say we were able to achieve around 90% correction, due to some deeper RIDS that would require wetsanding, or were just too deep to mess with.



Also the dealer applied Star Shield (clear bra) is in SERIOUS need of replacement. The technology is dated compared with today`s films such as 3M`s Venture Shield, and the orange peel like finish makes it stick out like a sore thumb. It is also discolored and stained from years of lord knows what baking on it in the sun. Hopefully soon, he`ll have it removed and replaced with the more modern Venture Shield.







Products used:









Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner

Meguiar`s APC

CG Citrus Wash

Pinnacle Speed Clay

DoDo Juice Born Slippery clay lube

M105 on LC PFW pad via FLEX 3401

Pinnacle Advanced Finishing polish on LC CCS white pad via FLEX 3401

Optimum Opti Coating

Poorboy`s wheel sealant

Optimum metal polish

Aerospace 303

Stoner Invisible Glass









before shots







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7248715662_2ab6d64bff_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248715662/)

DSC_0108 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248715662/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7248715944_c5a55bd9d9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248715944/)

DSC_0104 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248715944/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7248715822_5d74dfa055_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248715822/)

DSC_0105 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248715822/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







This thing was a PITA to tape up, as evidenced by the photos below.







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7248714268_eb75ae700a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248714268/)

DSC_0113 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248714268/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr





http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7248714504_cd59de82fc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248714504/)

DSC_0112 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248714504/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7248714788_9b413ce481_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248714788/)

DSC_0110 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248714788/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







At this point I decided to tackle the engine cover first, as I knew it was going to be a tedious process. My little 4" PFW pad came in handy here!







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7248713714_f971d2de08_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713714/)

DSC_0119 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713714/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7079/7248713898_a158a128de_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713898/)

DSC_0116 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713898/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







Some post correction, reflection shots of the rear end







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7248713028_a289ae7c08_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713028/)

DSC_0128 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713028/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7248713200_ea77d56cdb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713200/)

DSC_0125 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713200/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7248713268_59f435ec72_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713268/)

DSC_0121 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248713268/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







And of course, I had to back her up for some sun shots too!







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7248711086_f9f8121b7c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711086/)

DSC_0151 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711086/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7248710538_0263816e55_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248710538/)

DSC_0154 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248710538/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7248710852_b33c18cf72_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248710852/)

DSC_0153 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248710852/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7248712272_1a3bfd5495_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712272/)

DSC_0139 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712272/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







Driver`s side door and quarter panel corrected







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7248712476_3be0f18021_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712476/)

DSC_0133 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712476/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7248712596_b57bedac16_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712596/)

DSC_0132 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712596/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7248712850_4a953310d3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712850/)

DSC_0131 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712850/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7248712952_f6f63778c0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712952/)

DSC_0130 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712952/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







Post correction roof shots







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7248711710_8169cc420f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711710/)

DSC_0147 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711710/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7248711218_8f3ca34c8b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711218/)

DSC_0150 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711218/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7248711494_ff87e6ab7e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711494/)

DSC_0148 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711494/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







Front panels corrected







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7248711896_ffe7eb540f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711896/)

DSC_0146 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248711896/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7248712184_c3cbb57b6c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712184/)

DSC_0145 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248712184/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







At this point I was losing daylight and needed to focus my attention on correction rather than taking pics, so that`s it for correction and now onto the AFTERS!







Opti Coating flashing







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7248709524_af894447f4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709524/)

DSC_0167 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709524/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7248709728_2af3882c77_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709728/)

DSC_0166 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709728/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7248706958_bb1485ec0a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248706958/)

DSC_0188 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248706958/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7248707856_d7fb1e1e0a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248707856/)

DSC_0185 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248707856/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/7248707972_4f794cdeca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248707972/)

DSC_0184 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248707972/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7248708120_6ed9529a2c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248708120/)

DSC_0183 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248708120/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7248708788_1e4c04b6a0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248708788/)

DSC_0178 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248708788/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7248708956_ebc3aa7680_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248708956/)

DSC_0177 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248708956/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7248710142_4a5ebfaa8d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248710142/)

DSC_0160 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248710142/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7248709860_234eb5a711_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709860/)

DSC_0164 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709860/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7248709976_ac0aa3ac4b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709976/)

DSC_0163 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709976/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7248709176_d2b171c0bf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709176/)

DSC_0174 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709176/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7248709428_04a789e959_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709428/)

DSC_0173 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/speedfreak81/7248709428/) by SpeedFreak81 (http://www.flickr.com/people/speedfreak81/), on Flickr







Thanks for looking!



-Brian
blucpe
05-22-2012, 11:16 AM
nicccee!!!!!
mikenap
05-22-2012, 12:06 PM
Nice save Brian! I love those little cars.
Thomas Dekany
05-22-2012, 12:53 PM
You have become an amazing detailer!



Beautiful!
natural320
05-22-2012, 12:55 PM
oh sweet jeebuz...if a person was going to treat that incredible machine with THAT little respect, well at least she is in a (hopefully?) better home now!



great work on bringing the pop back into that car!
speedfreak81
05-22-2012, 02:55 PM
You have become an amazing detailer!



Beautiful!



Thomas, coming from you that means A LOT!!! I was inspired by one of the best what can I say? :thumb:



To Mike and everyone else, thanks for the replies! The car will most definitely be cared for correctly from now on.



Brian
maxepr1
05-22-2012, 03:03 PM
Nice work Brian!! Not a big fan of Lotus`s but I have to say this is one of the best looking paint`s I ever seen on them! Very unique! Nice save! That deck lid was hammered!