How to Detail Your Elise - Page 6 - LotusTalk

nockpoint · 12-31-2006, 08:59 AM

Hey all, third worst detailer in the world here. My question - do you wax your rims? If so does it mitigate the stubborness of break dust build up? Anything that would reduce the amount of time it takes to clean those puppies would be great.

Randy Chase · 12-31-2006, 09:27 AM

I tried putting Rejex on them. After a while I decided it was not really a savings in work. YMMV.

jonas1jp · 02-23-2007, 04:40 PM

Just took delivery of my 05 SY Elise. Love the car, just drove it for the first time today, but I am terribly displeased with the rims. They are spotted or oxidized or something of the kind, not quite sure. What is this from, and can I fix it? Thought I'd include some pics to illustrate. Thanks in advance.

Joe

Ian · 02-23-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonas1jp

Just took delivery of my 05 SY Elise. Love the car, just drove it for the first time today, but I am terribly displeased with the rims. They are spotted or oxidized or something of the kind, not quite sure. What is this from, and can I fix it? Thought I'd include some pics to illustrate. Thanks in advance.

Joe

Looks like the previous owner cleaned them with something he shouldn't have (engine degreasers are famous for these results). I don't imagine that can be fixed easily.

Vantage · 02-23-2007, 04:48 PM

Agree with Ian, that it could be something like etching from an acidic wheel cleaner. Lots of dealers use them to save time.

soulmn · 02-23-2007, 05:16 PM

That's no good. Look on the bright side. Nothing like a great excuse to go get a set of Volks.

Congrats on the purchase!

soulman

Jbone · 02-23-2007, 06:19 PM

Get them powder coated

Dietrich · 03-29-2007, 11:35 PM

anybody tried a wash/wax combo such as the rainX wash and wax? Are they good?

djnameless · 04-11-2007, 02:58 AM

i have a question...
after reading that detailers handbook in the previous posts...thanks for posting it by the way...
i found out ive been detailing my elise totally wrong!

...
but i need some clarification...

does polishing your car remove its clearcoat?

im getting swirls and its becoming unsightful

iwantanelise · 12-24-2007, 09:01 PM

For my friends of Elisetalk, please feel free to read my theories and thoughts on detailing here, where I posted a thread on how to detail my own (current) car:

http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/...ad.php?t=12891

Inside the link, you will find tips on washing, polishing, and product recommendations/suggestions

Polish removes clearcoat as it is a substance with abrasives in it. Proper polishing will remove just enough clearcoat to permanently remove scratches and swirls.

exarkun1178 · 03-10-2008, 08:44 AM

hi guys, any thoughts on cleaning the defuser? right above the tail pipe its all dark and sutty.. would love your thoughts on this

waydui · 03-10-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exarkun1178

hi guys, any thoughts on cleaning the defuser? right above the tail pipe its all dark and sutty.. would love your thoughts on this

I tried all sorts of cleaners, chemicals, etc. Nothing worked on a regular basis.

Did the easiest thing, powder-coated the diffuser.

Looks great and no soot marks.

Regards,
Wayne

iwantanelise · 03-10-2008, 10:19 AM

Eagle One Nevr Dull Wadding polish works decently well. I've used it on Mike's Elise. I'll post-up some before/after pictures when I get the chance.

iwantanelise · 03-10-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djnameless

i have a question...
after reading that detailers handbook in the previous posts...thanks for posting it by the way...
i found out ive been detailing my elise totally wrong!

...
but i need some clarification...

does polishing your car remove its clearcoat?

im getting swirls and its becoming unsightful

Polishing will eventually remove your clearcoat, yes. But, in the hands of a skilled detailer, the amount of clearcoat to be removed would be minimal. Of course, the deeper the swirls/scratches, the more clearcoat you have to remove to get a completely perfect finish. Less clearcoat means less depth of reflection. With this in mind, there is a compromise to be made...less swirls or more clearcoat.

iwantanelise · 03-10-2008, 07:42 PM

Here's a before:

After:

Due to the ability to easily clean the bottom of the Elise, I will probably offer a full underbody detail kit to those who would like it. The underside of the Elise is mainly aluminum, correct? If anybody actually asks for this kind of service, I will probably go for some Nuvite of English Custom metal polishes.

12-31-2006, 09:27 AM	#102 (permalink)
Randy Chase El Jefe - Agent 111 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 23,822 Images: 761	I tried putting Rejex on them. After a while I decided it was not really a savings in work. YMMV. __________________ *** V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S *** We have been feeling the buzz since 2002 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds. ..is a stranger in an open car. Tempt you in and drive you far away

02-23-2007, 04:40 PM	#103 (permalink)
jonas1jp jonas1jp Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 31	Spotted or Oxidized rims???? Just took delivery of my 05 SY Elise. Love the car, just drove it for the first time today, but I am terribly displeased with the rims. They are spotted or oxidized or something of the kind, not quite sure. What is this from, and can I fix it? Thought I'd include some pics to illustrate. Thanks in advance. Joe Attached Images

02-23-2007, 06:19 PM	#107 (permalink)
Jbone AVONX Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 199	Get them powder coated __________________ '02 Blue MR2 Spyder w/Top Secret bumper - SOLD 14/08/05 '05 CO Lotus Elise, LSS, Touring, SS, StageII Exhaust - SOLD 26/10/06 '94 White MR2 N/A T-Tops ('new' daily commuter)

03-29-2007, 11:35 PM	#108 (permalink)
Dietrich I can run very fast Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 719	anybody tried a wash/wax combo such as the rainX wash and wax? Are they good? __________________ my favorite Elise sites: http://www.elisemods.com http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/index.html

12-24-2007, 09:01 PM	#110 (permalink)
iwantanelise Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 331	For my friends of Elisetalk, please feel free to read my theories and thoughts on detailing here, where I posted a thread on how to detail my own (current) car: http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/...ad.php?t=12891 Inside the link, you will find tips on washing, polishing, and product recommendations/suggestions Polish removes clearcoat as it is a substance with abrasives in it. Proper polishing will remove just enough clearcoat to permanently remove scratches and swirls. __________________ CP Detailing...http://cpdetailing.com Please feel free to ask me questions on how to keep your Lotus looking gorgeous or for detailing rates! Last edited by iwantanelise : 12-24-2007 at 09:05 PM. Reason: answering djnameless's question

12-31-2006, 08:59 AM	#101 (permalink)
nockpoint Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 684	Hey all, third worst detailer in the world here. My question - do you wax your rims? If so does it mitigate the stubborness of break dust build up? Anything that would reduce the amount of time it takes to clean those puppies would be great.

02-23-2007, 04:48 PM	#105 (permalink)
Vantage Weekend Warrior Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Diego / Los Angeles Posts: 4,033	Agree with Ian, that it could be something like etching from an acidic wheel cleaner. Lots of dealers use them to save time.

02-23-2007, 05:16 PM	#106 (permalink)
soulmn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 434	That's no good. Look on the bright side. Nothing like a great excuse to go get a set of Volks. Congrats on the purchase! soulman

04-11-2007, 02:58 AM	#109 (permalink)
djnameless elise addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: las vegas Posts: 99	i have a question... after reading that detailers handbook in the previous posts...thanks for posting it by the way... i found out ive been detailing my elise totally wrong! ... but i need some clarification... does polishing your car remove its clearcoat? im getting swirls and its becoming unsightful

03-10-2008, 08:44 AM	#111 (permalink)
exarkun1178 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Posts: 3,624	hi guys, any thoughts on cleaning the defuser? right above the tail pipe its all dark and sutty.. would love your thoughts on this

03-10-2008, 10:19 AM	#113 (permalink)
iwantanelise Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 331	Eagle One Nevr Dull Wadding polish works decently well. I've used it on Mike's Elise. I'll post-up some before/after pictures when I get the chance. __________________ CP Detailing...http://cpdetailing.com Please feel free to ask me questions on how to keep your Lotus looking gorgeous or for detailing rates!

03-10-2008, 07:42 PM	#115 (permalink)
iwantanelise Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 331	Here's a before: After: Due to the ability to easily clean the bottom of the Elise, I will probably offer a full underbody detail kit to those who would like it. The underside of the Elise is mainly aluminum, correct? If anybody actually asks for this kind of service, I will probably go for some Nuvite of English Custom metal polishes. __________________ CP Detailing...http://cpdetailing.com Please feel free to ask me questions on how to keep your Lotus looking gorgeous or for detailing rates! Last edited by iwantanelise : 03-10-2008 at 07:44 PM. Reason: more details...

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