[loadedmind]

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a terrific Christmas!

So I have the Leatherique for cleaning/restoring the leather - really the seats are just a little dirty so no biggie. But, as I take inventory of all the things that need attention, I'm seeing this rather heavy coating of grime on the undercarriage. It's pretty thick. I understand that Simple Green has some rather nasty results on some of the metal components.

1) I'm wondering what you all are using to get all of this crud off? Something as effective as brake fluid without the loss of paint perhaps.

2) Also, anyone in the AL/GA area that can recommend wheel scrape repair/buffing as well as fiberglass work? I have a few areas that are spidering and the roof panel has marks that need rectifying.

3) Is there such a thing as maintenance videos of folks that have done things to their Esprit?

4) Still trying to hunt down a Service Notes manual for my 93.5 Esprit Turbo. I found one on eBay, but it was from a guy in the UK that said local shipping only. If anyone has a bead on this, I'd be extremely grateful.

 

[89.5 Esprit SE]

We use Dawn dish soap as our general degreaser/cleaner, use it full strength with a stiff brush and a touch of water. Works as well as most anything else, and is not caustic. For the occasional more stubborn goo Marine Clean works well. Where possible power washing helps.

Fixing spiders can be done, but is a big deal. It is very hard to match paint on spot repairs. Best to do at least a whole panel........and some of our "panels" are large. The Esprit finish is gel coat painted with 2 part polyurethane and then clear coated. You must find a fiberglass capable shop. Ask the local Corvette guys.

Randy

 

[Eken]

Hi, In the Atlanta area Wheel Wizard is about the best. Here's the link.
Welcome to Wheel Wizard! - Home

Gunk engine brite, always worked well for me on engine and trans grime.

Ed

 

[carbuff]

The benefit to using Leatherique (or Connally Hide Food type treatment, see the recent Topic on it's replacement) is that it not only CLEANS the leather, it keeps it supple. (Moisturizes).

 

[loadedmind]

Thanks for the feedback all.

 

[jtrealty]

Go to Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com). They have all kinds of great things to help you detail your car. Get a clay bar and speed shine. Learn how to use it. LEO had a great seminar on how to detail a car by a professional detailer a while back. Look up drcolorchip.com for road rash on the front.
David Teitelbaum

 

[loadedmind]

Thanks David. It's a great site. Been there before for other cars' care but Lotus-specific stuff has me asking the pros here, at least for some stuff. I'm quite paranoid with this car because I want it so perfect which causes me to be so overly cautious sometimes that I'm afraid to make a move.