A red Elise, what to use

C

Corey Bit Spank

Active member
So as a favor for a friend I'm going to detail his new Elise. He trailered it from Chicago to Buffalo, but he said (and it didn't look like) it got that dirty. Anyway....



lotus_WC.jpg




I had originally thought the paint looked pretty good. It appears that this paint may not be clear coated. It looks slightly oxidized and he said there is some swirling.



lotus_in1.jpg




I have an assortment of polishes and waxes, but I'm having an Autopian fix and I would really like to order some new things. I've been thinking about Optimum polish and Jeffs Werkstat, but I don't know how those do on non-cleared and red paint. I'm a little out of the loop. I miss detailing, this may be the year for me to start something. :)



For reference, what I have done with red in the past:

Sam08.jpg


100_0264.jpg




The Eclipse has DACP, wolfgang pre polish (I think...long time ago), NXT, and #16

The 3000GT was DACP, woflgang pre polish, VM, and #16.



I not very confident if you couldn't tell.
 
The Elise's paint is indeed clearcoated AFAIK. Try 4" pads for your polishing step, it helps with all the curves. Good luck.
 
i like the optimum , with Prime and AJ

just be sure to apply the AJ thin, and wipe off immediately



for brand new reds, i really like Clearkotes' VM, RMG, then EX-P topped with Natty's Blue.. wooaa!!
 
haha! That'd be fun, but I think I can handle it. I'm just looking for advice on reds. :) Maybe we can get a nifty detail meet going this summer.
 
Clear-coated or not, OCP will work fine.

VM and Natty's Blue should look deep and insanely wet.
 
I think it's time to apply your right foot, and heavily! :D



Aren't the front ends of those clear bra'd from the factory?

Maybe it's just that the local dealer installs that on every Elise to get extra markup...



I would personally take it easy on the polish until you have an idea how the paint's going to react... Work your way up from a gentle combination to a more aggressive one.



As far as sealing/waxing? Well, red certainly does react well to the whole VM/RMG combo... topped with a slick carnauba like Natty Blue or Souveran would be very nice, assuming it's not going to be seeing any winter road use... If it's definitely going to be a nice sunny-day only car, that sounds good.



Otherwise I'd definitely start with some synthetic - but not over RMG...

like a couple coats of Zaino or a treatment of AIO + a couple of coats of SG, followed by a nice carnauba (as mentioned before) would also look good.



That's my 2c.
 
I have a red Elise to do in the next week or so also, I'll be using the tried and true Optimum line, maybe with the new Optimum beta sealant.....but one thing for sure, no matter what product you use......those cars are freakin UGLY!! :faint:



Anthony
 
White95Max said:
So he went to celebrate the arrival of his new Lotus by going to White Castle?
Click to expand...



The Castle rulez :bow





As far as that Elise goes, well, I'd keep it simple:



-clay bar

-AIO

-SG

-Souveran
 
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