Shining up plastic bits on the Elise - LotusTalk

MikeinAlexandria · 06-21-2009, 05:38 PM

Just put a little Mothers Black Again creme on the engine cover louvers. It is soaking in and starting to look pretty nice. Any suggestions for other products that might work even better?

On an unrelated note, just changed the transmission fluid, even though the car has only 16000 miles. I drained the old, which looked pretty nasty, and filled the transmission with Redline MT90. What a great improvement! Shifting is smoother and the transmission is much quieter in the lower gears.

EnvyMotors · 06-21-2009, 05:48 PM

what steps did you use to change the tranny fluid?

TimMullen · 06-21-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

Just put a little Mothers Black Again creme on the engine cover louvers. It is soaking in and starting to look pretty nice. Any suggestions for other products that might work even better?

I use Meguiar's Direct Gold Class Vinyl/Rubber Protectant
to keep things nice, and Mother's to fix things.

jaegermeister · 06-29-2009, 08:07 PM

303

My dad and I just detailed our cars with the stuff after a lot of research on preserving/protecting our black plastic/rubber from the sun. We both agreed that it was WELL worth the $12. Our leather/plastic/rubber all look straight from the factor.

andykeck · 06-29-2009, 08:08 PM

Stoner's Trim Shine. That stuff is so good it's magical.

Maggie · 06-30-2009, 04:44 AM

Seconding the Stoner's Trim Shine. Great stuff.

Whiskey · 06-30-2009, 04:53 AM

3rd for Stoner's..... and yes it is magical

Just trust the forum.

jasper · 06-30-2009, 05:34 AM

Anyone have any experience with any of this stuff on carbon fiber? Its not the fading that I'm worried about, but I have a hard time getting off water spots that have dried on.

SweetDaddyD · 06-30-2009, 05:57 AM

I've tried them all. None of them hold a candle to Stoners trim shine.

Zaino clear seal seems to also work decent, but you really can't beat the Stoner's.

tesprit · 06-30-2009, 06:40 AM

Yep, Stoner's Trim Shine all the way for the black trim as well as the plastics in the engine compartment.

MikeinAlexandria · 06-30-2009, 08:26 AM

Stoners it is. I will have to check that out.

For the transmission, it was pretty easy. Drove around a little to warm up the fluid. Backed the car up on ramps. Removed the engine access panel, which now has lots of quick release bolts! (It's even easier to remove than ever)

Put a mat and pan under the car and removed the lower drain plug as shown in the manual. Let a bunch of tranny fluid drain out... then removed the upper fill plug. This made alot more fluid drain out much faster. Once the transmission was mostly empty... about 10 minutes, replaced the drain plug. To fill, I used Redline MT90, which is formulated for Toyota transmissions. It took almost 2.5 quarts. I have a Snapon hand pump, that sucks fluid out of the bottle and pushes it into the fill hole. Took a while to pump the fluid in. Replaced the fill bolt and went for a ride. Shifting, as I mentioned is nice, and a bit quieter than before!

Z-dculus · 06-30-2009, 09:15 AM

turtle wax ice. does the whole car. I get compliments on my plastic pieces everywhere i go.

Z-dculus · 06-30-2009, 09:16 AM

also, check the uberpost for the DIY tranny fluid change.

MikeG911 · 06-30-2009, 02:55 PM

+1 for Stoners - I ordered a case of 12 from Amazon

GR82DRV · 06-30-2009, 03:18 PM

I got Stoner Trim Shine from NAPA along with Stoner Invisible Glass... This is the BEST stuff for cleaning windshields! It applies without running and cleans great; ready for Rain-X.

RoadDad · 06-30-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

... removed the lower drain plug as shown in the manual. Let a bunch of tranny fluid drain out... then removed the upper fill plug.

Might I suggest that next time you change your trans fluid you start by taking the fill plug out and replacing it (or at least loosening it) before you remove the drain plug.

There are times where the fill plug can not be removed and now you have just drained your trans fluid without a way to replace it

. Loosening the fill plug first would alert you to this problem before you drip out your lubricant.

TimMullen · 07-01-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadDad

Might I suggest that next time you change your trans fluid you start by taking the fill plug out and replacing it (or at least loosening it) before you remove the drain plug.

+1,000 This should always be standard procedure...

Tyger · 07-07-2009, 06:35 PM

No one seemed to have this stuff, but the local NAPA guy got it for me overnight – it works great!

SweetDaddyD · 07-08-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyger

No one seemed to have this stuff, but the local NAPA guy got it for me overnight – it works great!

The only auto parts store around here that sometimes carries it is O'Reileys
I've ordered it online before and the last time I was in a store and saw it I picked up an extra can to have on hand. A can lasts a really long time.
It also works well to spray it on a foam paint brush and then use it so you don't overspray on the paint.

Vampyre · 07-08-2009, 09:47 AM

dielectric grease used lightly, works great lasts for months...

06-21-2009, 05:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
MikeinAlexandria Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 457 Images: 5	Shining up plastic bits on the Elise Just put a little Mothers Black Again creme on the engine cover louvers. It is soaking in and starting to look pretty nice. Any suggestions for other products that might work even better? On an unrelated note, just changed the transmission fluid, even though the car has only 16000 miles. I drained the old, which looked pretty nasty, and filled the transmission with Redline MT90. What a great improvement! Shifting is smoother and the transmission is much quieter in the lower gears. __________________ 2005 Elise in Racing Green with the touring pack 2007 MINI Cooper S in Sparkling Silver 2001 BMW Z3 Coupe in Sapphire Black (sold) 2002 MINI Cooper in yellow (sold) 1996 BMW Z3 Roadster (Racing Dynamics version) (sold) Founder of the Racing Green Confederate

06-21-2009, 05:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
EnvyMotors Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 44	what steps did you use to change the tranny fluid? __________________ 2008 Exige Club Racer 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT

06-30-2009, 04:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Maggie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Durham NC Posts: 155	Seconding the Stoner's Trim Shine. Great stuff. __________________ 2005 LRG Elise--sold 2006 AW Elise

06-30-2009, 04:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Whiskey Love is More Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Athens, Ohio Posts: 200	3rd for Stoner's..... and yes it is magical Just trust the forum. __________________ Will WTB: Elise Hardtop with Hardware - Storm Ti. (Color Code B121) Please send PM Elise: My process of adding exige side scoops (+ Front Mesh) \| 2005 Lotus Elise : Sport Pack : Biscuit Touring Pack : Storm Ti \| BWR Supercharger \| Exige Side ducts and front mesh \| LETSLA Short Shifter (ordered) \|

06-30-2009, 08:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
MikeinAlexandria Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 457 Images: 5	Stoners it is. I will have to check that out. For the transmission, it was pretty easy. Drove around a little to warm up the fluid. Backed the car up on ramps. Removed the engine access panel, which now has lots of quick release bolts! (It's even easier to remove than ever) Put a mat and pan under the car and removed the lower drain plug as shown in the manual. Let a bunch of tranny fluid drain out... then removed the upper fill plug. This made alot more fluid drain out much faster. Once the transmission was mostly empty... about 10 minutes, replaced the drain plug. To fill, I used Redline MT90, which is formulated for Toyota transmissions. It took almost 2.5 quarts. I have a Snapon hand pump, that sucks fluid out of the bottle and pushes it into the fill hole. Took a while to pump the fluid in. Replaced the fill bolt and went for a ride. Shifting, as I mentioned is nice, and a bit quieter than before! __________________ 2005 Elise in Racing Green with the touring pack 2007 MINI Cooper S in Sparkling Silver 2001 BMW Z3 Coupe in Sapphire Black (sold) 2002 MINI Cooper in yellow (sold) 1996 BMW Z3 Roadster (Racing Dynamics version) (sold) Founder of the Racing Green Confederate

06-29-2009, 08:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
jaegermeister Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 33	303 My dad and I just detailed our cars with the stuff after a lot of research on preserving/protecting our black plastic/rubber from the sun. We both agreed that it was WELL worth the $12. Our leather/plastic/rubber all look straight from the factor.

06-29-2009, 08:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
andykeck Meow talk lotus one day? Join Date: May 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 4,929 Images: 1	Stoner's Trim Shine. That stuff is so good it's magical.

06-30-2009, 05:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
jasper thread killer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 357	Anyone have any experience with any of this stuff on carbon fiber? Its not the fading that I'm worried about, but I have a hard time getting off water spots that have dried on.

06-30-2009, 05:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	I've tried them all. None of them hold a candle to Stoners trim shine. Zaino clear seal seems to also work decent, but you really can't beat the Stoner's.

06-30-2009, 06:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
tesprit Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 1,925	Yep, Stoner's Trim Shine all the way for the black trim as well as the plastics in the engine compartment.

06-30-2009, 09:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
Z-dculus Derriere Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US OF A! Posts: 2,311	turtle wax ice. does the whole car. I get compliments on my plastic pieces everywhere i go. __________________ 2006 KG-Sport Pack, LSD, TC, SS, RAC Monolites, Sector CF Roof, Carbon 3 Element Diffuser, V3 Panel eliminator (p-coated), Odyssey PC680, Boomerang , HIDs, CF Console, Multivex, Lotus Stage II, CF Zoom Rear View, Sector LidBone, Darth Holder (thanks Kestrel!), Sector 4Tress Harness Bar/CRD Mount, couple exige trim pieces- KGB Authenticated 2009 VeeDub Jetta (new kid on the block) 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic -(relegated to 'project car' status)

06-30-2009, 09:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
Z-dculus Derriere Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US OF A! Posts: 2,311	also, check the uberpost for the DIY tranny fluid change. __________________ 2006 KG-Sport Pack, LSD, TC, SS, RAC Monolites, Sector CF Roof, Carbon 3 Element Diffuser, V3 Panel eliminator (p-coated), Odyssey PC680, Boomerang , HIDs, CF Console, Multivex, Lotus Stage II, CF Zoom Rear View, Sector LidBone, Darth Holder (thanks Kestrel!), Sector 4Tress Harness Bar/CRD Mount, couple exige trim pieces- KGB Authenticated 2009 VeeDub Jetta (new kid on the block) 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic -(relegated to 'project car' status)

06-30-2009, 02:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
MikeG911 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 255	+1 for Stoners - I ordered a case of 12 from Amazon __________________ 07 CO Elise, ReVerie CF Side Scoops, ReVerie 3-Element CF Diffuser, ReVerie center console, ReVerie front splitter, 111 Tow Hook, 111 Boomerang Tow Hook, 111 Bootie, Redline Boot, BWR Key, V1. Planned R888, Larini Exhaust, CF Sills, Coil Overs of some kind...

06-30-2009, 03:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
GR82DRV Et tu Lotus? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 197	I got Stoner Trim Shine from NAPA along with Stoner Invisible Glass... This is the BEST stuff for cleaning windshields! It applies without running and cleans great; ready for Rain-X.

07-07-2009, 06:35 PM	#18 (permalink)
Tyger burning bright! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,165	Stoner's Trim Shine No one seemed to have this stuff, but the local NAPA guy got it for me overnight – it works great!

07-08-2009, 09:47 AM	#20 (permalink)
Vampyre Sports Cars Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 1,940	dielectric grease used lightly, works great lasts for months... __________________ 2006 Chili Red / Touring / LSD / TC / Forged Wheels / Hard & Soft Top / Lifestyle Paint / Desnorkeled / Odyssey Battery / Sector 111 Extinguisher Bracket / Sector 111 LidBone / CF Splitter / CF Bits / Lotus Stage 2 / Pure X C3 Corvette 383 TPI Stroker 6.3 liters of Torque / 1976 MG Midget, fun run about / 2005 Mits Evo 8 ACD/SSL / Dodge Van for hauling stuff / http://www.photobucket.com/mygarage

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