SpeedFreak Detailed: HAMMERED Lotus Elise correction

[speedfreak81]

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









DSC_0108 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0104 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0105 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







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









DSC_0113 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







DSC_0112 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0110 by 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!









DSC_0119 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0116 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Some post correction, reflection shots of the rear end









DSC_0128 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0125 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0121 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







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









DSC_0151 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0154 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0153 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0139 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Driver's side door and quarter panel corrected









DSC_0133 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0132 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0131 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0130 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Post correction roof shots









DSC_0147 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0150 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0148 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Front panels corrected









DSC_0146 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0145 by 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









DSC_0167 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0166 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0188 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0185 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0184 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0183 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0178 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0177 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0160 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0164 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0163 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0174 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0173 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Thanks for looking!



-Brian

 

[blucpe]

nicccee!!!!!

 

[mikenap]

Nice save Brian! I love those little cars.

 

[Thomas Dekany]

You have become an amazing detailer!



Beautiful!

 

[natural320]

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]

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]

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!