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I posted this on my site at SCG (ShowCarGarage.com) a few days ago, but thought that MOL members might like to see it as well. Check out the whole thread link at the bottom for comments including the owner.
This is what I get to work on today.
Taking a closer look--oh wow, look at all those grills!
Hmmm, Starshield clear bra, and lots of it.
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
The first thing I did was inspect the car. I wanted to see what needed to be protected, what areas needed the most focus and attention, and whether there were any obvious defects, like this bird poo and the resulting etching, before I begin working.
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Black wheels.
Roof grill.
This concerned me greatly. I wasn't sure if the paint would come off from the painters tape. I dreaded having to cut newspaper grills, but then the owner stuck a piece of tape on the grill and yanked it off--and sure enough, the paint didn't come off. I love an adventurous owner! LOL.
Originally I thought I would drape a bed sheet over the engine to protect it, but then I realized the grill needed taping anyways.
Exige decals.
Lotus decals.
After inspecting the paint, I quick detailed the paint using my favorite QD. Prima Slick using the Prima Monster Fluffy microfiber towel. Once the paint was cleaned, I used the Meguiar's clay bar to remove all above surface bonded contaminants. Then along with the owner, we taped off the car.
Taping off an Exige is a lot of work, but much better than the Elise which has thin plastic slats instead of grills!
Side grills taped.
All rubber areas around windshield were protected.
Rear grills taped off. Looks pretty cool!
Hood scoop taped off.
Windshield wiper taped off.
Gas door taped off.
Home-made wheel covers.
One section was chosen based on where the swirls were visible and would catch the sunlight for comparison.
The polished area is to the left.
Pretty easy to see the difference.
Pretty easy to see the difference.
Applying around 15 pounds of pressure.
Checking my work as I buff.
I must have gone over this panel atleast 7 times today! The rear spoiler was a bit of a challenge. I could get the PC under it from only one entry point, then I could move above, but still there was a small section that had to be completed by hand.
I rarely have any good pix of me working, thanks Matt for being my photographer!
Working on small cars is great! I loved this roof scoop!
Working with the PC is slow work. As a finishing tool, it's a superb tool, but its only effective when you buff slowly and deliberately.
To ensure a flawless finish, it's important to constantly sight down the body panels to check your work. Here the sun was going down so I could position it on the panel as I wiped and buffed.
Had to get some shots in before the sun went down. M21 has been applied but not wiped off yet.
Looking great!
Looking great from all angles!
Polished using the PC with M80 and M83 with the W8006 polishing pad. LSP was M21.
Saw just a little bit of light on the Lotus, had to try for one last shot!
Ok, #21 has been removed, sunlight is gone, time to pack up and go home!
What a fantastic day! This car though small has tons of nooks and crannies that need taping. The paint was soft enough to be restored with only a PC using M83 and M80.The owner was super nice, he fed me great food and kept me comfortable, and he was excited about helping and learning! I really enjoyed his company.
(Edit: Commercial link removed per our fourm rules. -Mike Phillips)
This is what I get to work on today.
Taking a closer look--oh wow, look at all those grills!
Hmmm, Starshield clear bra, and lots of it.
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
The first thing I did was inspect the car. I wanted to see what needed to be protected, what areas needed the most focus and attention, and whether there were any obvious defects, like this bird poo and the resulting etching, before I begin working.
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Swirls!! Woohoooo!!!
Black wheels.
Roof grill.
This concerned me greatly. I wasn't sure if the paint would come off from the painters tape. I dreaded having to cut newspaper grills, but then the owner stuck a piece of tape on the grill and yanked it off--and sure enough, the paint didn't come off. I love an adventurous owner! LOL.
Originally I thought I would drape a bed sheet over the engine to protect it, but then I realized the grill needed taping anyways.
Exige decals.
Lotus decals.
After inspecting the paint, I quick detailed the paint using my favorite QD. Prima Slick using the Prima Monster Fluffy microfiber towel. Once the paint was cleaned, I used the Meguiar's clay bar to remove all above surface bonded contaminants. Then along with the owner, we taped off the car.
Taping off an Exige is a lot of work, but much better than the Elise which has thin plastic slats instead of grills!
Side grills taped.
All rubber areas around windshield were protected.
Rear grills taped off. Looks pretty cool!
Hood scoop taped off.
Windshield wiper taped off.
Gas door taped off.
Home-made wheel covers.
One section was chosen based on where the swirls were visible and would catch the sunlight for comparison.
The polished area is to the left.
Pretty easy to see the difference.
Pretty easy to see the difference.
Applying around 15 pounds of pressure.
Checking my work as I buff.
I must have gone over this panel atleast 7 times today! The rear spoiler was a bit of a challenge. I could get the PC under it from only one entry point, then I could move above, but still there was a small section that had to be completed by hand.
I rarely have any good pix of me working, thanks Matt for being my photographer!
Working on small cars is great! I loved this roof scoop!
Working with the PC is slow work. As a finishing tool, it's a superb tool, but its only effective when you buff slowly and deliberately.
To ensure a flawless finish, it's important to constantly sight down the body panels to check your work. Here the sun was going down so I could position it on the panel as I wiped and buffed.
Had to get some shots in before the sun went down. M21 has been applied but not wiped off yet.
Looking great!
Looking great from all angles!
Polished using the PC with M80 and M83 with the W8006 polishing pad. LSP was M21.
Saw just a little bit of light on the Lotus, had to try for one last shot!
Ok, #21 has been removed, sunlight is gone, time to pack up and go home!
What a fantastic day! This car though small has tons of nooks and crannies that need taping. The paint was soft enough to be restored with only a PC using M83 and M80.The owner was super nice, he fed me great food and kept me comfortable, and he was excited about helping and learning! I really enjoyed his company.
(Edit: Commercial link removed per our fourm rules. -Mike Phillips)
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