paint/ finish question for Lotus

Jason, I did the self-applied bedliner stuff in the tub of an old hunting jeep - it was hard to get a uniform texture, even on big surfaces. It would be very hard to do that piece with that stuff, imo. But you never know until you try! I'd test it on the backside first, so that if it turns out bad it'snot noticeable..

 

I was looking at one of those yesterday, they do look a bit "tat". They seem to have a stipled finish. I would give it a good dose of flatting with some wet and dry, couple of coats of high build primer and then finish in mat black.

 

I actually had an old Toyota in the late '80's that had louvers. They were aluminum. In the hot Florida sun, the louvers faded about once a year. I touched them up with satin (not flat) black spray paint. I always did my windshield wiper arms at the same time.

Not sure what advice to give about the fiberglass louvers, but I suspect you could have them professionally finished very reasonably.

 

the high build primer will help to cover over any imperfections and smooth out the surface. Then use a matt or satin to finish the job off.
Shiney black will always show imperfections, BIG TIME

 

I have an '86 Esprit and the louvers actually are flat black. I think it is original.

Regardless, what you need to do is fill it. Pouring paint on the problem won't fix it. Since it sounds like the imperfections are small, go to an autobody store and get a glazing putty. Like this: http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1650&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=516&iSubCat=518&iProductID=1650

Get a nice flat sanding block. Sand off that black to find your low spots. Fill, sand, fill, sand. Until done. Prime to seal the filler.

Now your paint will look much better.

I suppose trying a high build primer won't hurt if the problems are truly small. You didn't mention if you're using spray cans or painting equipment. I don't know if what you need (like Featherfill) is available in cans.

 

How about that? A high build primer in a can:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=15976&itemType=PRODUCT

 

I second what mfennell70 and Philjay50 wrote.

The quality of the finish is directly related to the amount of surface prep. If you try to paint over pinholes, your finished product will have pinholes.

I've surprised myself with the quality of some jobs I did with a spray can. Black is a hard color to make good though and gloss only adds to the difficulty. I wouldn't bother with the bedliner route personally. I like the satin/flat black better. Louvers are about the largest project I would attempt with a spray can, though.

Did you get a pro shop quote to do the job? It might not be as bad as you think. Worth a shot to ask. If you weigh in the PITA factor it may even be pretty reasonable.

I'm not a pro car painter but I have painted 2 cars and 2 boats and all came out great (for an amature that read just about everything he could on auto refinishing before even picking up a spray gun).

And for you jokesters: No, I did not use a roller.

 

I'm no expert but it does make sense. Flat black seems correct.

Think about it: The louvers are there so the rear glass area doesn't become a greenhouse, while still providing visibility. They would be better flat/satin black to prevent glare.

I understand your thinking that it looks odd on a gloss black car but it is what it is. The "stippled" finished black louvers on the cars of the '80s were as I recall, just molded ABS plastic. I believe the '86+ Camaro/Firebird had a factory ABS stippled finished black louver but all aftermarket ones were satin black aluminum. But we're talking Lotus here.

Added bonus for you: Flat/satin black is one of the easier colors to spray can well!

 

Funny how any cosmetic work on any Lotus involves endless sanding...

Ken

 

There is also the spray-on undercoating paint that gives it an "orange peel" finish. Then you can paint over it with flat black or "trim paint" from krylon, which has a very subtle factory looking sheen to it. The undercoat has a rubbery texture and the finish paint will stick very well to it.

Or just go with the "trim paint" alone, as long as the base surface is prepped well it will look great. The trim paint has a very nice finish and weathers very well too. Good luck!

 

My '86 looks exactly like that car ... if you were to leave it outside for 6 or 7 years.

 

She looks beautiful. You did a great job!

 

Jason,

Are you on lotusespritforum.com?

Louvers (sp?) look good! I was going to suggest a satin-finish bumper/trim paint, like that offered by SEM, but seems you got it taken care of!


Cheers,

Tony

(two 1977 S1s)

 

Looks good, Jason

 

That looks sweet. Good Job

But what's up with your avatar? LOL

 

Isn't that ironic! Well, I guess there are certain attitudes among every group of people. . . I'm kicking around the idea of either a 308 or a Merak to join the Esprits and 944 . . . I'll get slammed from three sides!

I just "lurked" at your old posts there and saw you bought SJ's stainless exhaust? Is the muffler (silencer) the same size and dimension as the original? Does it have the same cup/flange style joint as the original? Does it have resonators on the tips like the original? I'm looking at my options for my white S1, but I want to keep the exhaust stock, including the manifold/downpipe/convertor.

I can post links -- not sure if I can post pics here without subscribing--

Here's the red one:





Here's the white one:



The red one is in very good overall condition, and I have had it for a while. The picture of the white one was taken right when I bought it last December, and I immediately removed the interior to retrim it, and the car has spent the time since then either being worked on or sitting, so I have no good photos of it yet! I need to hurry up with it!

I have come close to buying a Europa several times, but each time ended up with something different. . .

God and Newton say: The engine belongs in the middle!