Presidential Detailed: 2005 Lotus Elise TURBO!!

3747 Views 29 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Greenstreak, Feb 18, 2009

Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · Feb 2, 2009

11

This car belongs to Chris(username-streetraces). This car is absolutely INCREDIBLE! The car has a custom turbo kit built for it and is super powerful and as you all know is super lightweight! This car is tracked/auto-x'd quite often and actually just got back from one just before I detailed it as you can tell from the blue painters tape..haha! this car is so fast, the Targa flew off Fast and Furious style going over 120mph on the interstate and it SURVIVED!! :-o

Products:
Exterior:
Dawn Soap Pre-Wash
ONR diluted to clay lube
COBRA UMF Wash Mitt
COBRA Deluxe "Jr" MF's
Dual Buckets with Grit Guards
3m "green" Masking Tape
Adams Professional Clay Bar
Meguairs APC+
Meguairs Hyperdressing
Menzerna SIP/Orange
Menzerna 106fa/White
UK 3M Ultrafina/ UK 3M Finishing Pad
91% Isopropyl Alcohol
Tons of (retired) Cobra Towels(AP)
Swissvax Pneu

LSP:
Optimum Opti-Seal applied with Uber Foam Applicator
Two coats of Dodo Juice Supernatural Paste Wax applied with Uber Foam Applicator

Tools:
Dual Work Lamps
Makita Hi Speed Rotary
World's Greatest Boar's Hair Wheel Brush
Foam Pad Cleaning Brush
DD Detail Sponge
The Wheel Well/Fender Brush
The Spoke Brush
Canon Rebel XTi
Craftsmen 295MPH Vac/Blow
E-Z Detail Wheel Brush
Swissvax Wheel Brush

BEFORE: Note. The wing was removed for polishing purposes.

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Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 2, 2009

12

All the plastic trim and moldings were cleaned with Meguiars APC+ and a Swissvax Brush and then treated with 1Z Einszett Gummi Pflege Stift.

This is the only damage the Targa sustained from its flight at 120mph on the highway!

After being compounded and polished..

A couple test 50/50 shots, the best I could capture on the camera with this color.

All the plastic trim, painted edges and the clear bra were taped off to prevent any damage from the buffer..

The engine was also degreased and dressed with Meguairs APC+ and Hyperdressing..

The only hint that you get to watch out for this thing!

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Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 2, 2009

9

AFTER:

If you cant tell, this is my favorite porton of the car.

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Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 2, 2009

11

Finally got the wing back on it, looks SOO much better!

And one without the Targa.

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Demonized

· #5 · Feb 2, 2009

Came out looking very good. :up:

DarkLotus

· #6 · Feb 2, 2009

Impressive detailing, indeed.

out of curiosity, what is the purpose of the tiny cone in the last pic?

akandok

· #7 · Feb 2, 2009

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f161/spotted-orange-elise-bimmerforums-com-67953/

Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 2, 2009

DarkLotus said:
Impressive detailing, indeed.

out of curiosity, what is the purpose of the tiny cone in the last pic?

Haha! He got that with a set of Advan tires I believe. We were just messing around with it and I forgot about it being in the pic.

mjf

· #9 · Feb 2, 2009

Really nice!

uclacyc

· #10 · Feb 3, 2009

wow, that is insane. mine gets so dirty so fast, i wouldn't be able to bring myself to do something like this, knowing that it will get dirty again. well, at least i polish it

...m...

· #11 · Feb 3, 2009

...i'd love having an engine bay clean enough to eat off of...

Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 3, 2009

...m... said:
...i'd love having an engine bay clean enough to eat off of...

I can make that happen.

the1sen

· #13 · Feb 3, 2009

Question - did you get any water in the boot when washing the car with the nose up on that incline? I typically face my nose downward to prevent such a mishap. Read it here a few times - wash with nose down or flat.. just wanted to ask.

Awesome job on the car... Really. Next time I detail mine, I'll share some pics of the most pristine black car you've ever seen. Zaino is my friend.

Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 3, 2009

the1sen said:
Question - did you get any water in the boot when washing the car with the nose up on that incline? I typically face my nose downward to prevent such a mishap. Read it here a few times - wash with nose down or flat.. just wanted to ask.

Awesome job on the car... Really. Next time I detail mine, I'll share some pics of the most pristine black car you've ever seen. Zaino is my friend.

Actually, yes there was a bit of water in the boot from washing. This was the first Lotus Ive worked on, so I dont know the little tricks just yet. I will keep that in mind for next time though!

the1sen

· #15 · Feb 3, 2009

Presdntial_Detail said:
Actually, yes there was a bit of water in the boot from washing. This was the first Lotus Ive worked on, so I dont know the little tricks just yet. I will keep that in mind for next time though!

Cool! I hope you get to detail more. You obviously do some great work. :coolnana:

Also, did you take the seats out to clean the interior? I found that doing so was really fruitful. The car not only looked clean, it FELT clean. Treating the leather, and washing the seat backs had obviously never been done in my used Elise. I took out my dash too, and washed the belly. The car is like a Lego set - I just couldn't help myself from working on it.

On another note:

I am about to buy a random orbital - any recommendations for me?

I've read that Porter Cable makes a nice one... I'd be interested to see what you have to say, as I really admire your work.

Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 3, 2009

I would check out either detailersdomain.com or autogeek.net and get a PC starter kit with Menzerna polished and Lake Country flat pads. I would recommend getting Menzerna SIP and 106fa atleast, and if you want to go real far with it you can get po85rd. Those are the steps you would take in order, with a Orange pad, then white, then black. You will then apply your Zaino Sealant and then wax since you already have it. Good luck!

Houston Lotus

· #17 · Feb 3, 2009

Great looking job:up:

Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 3, 2009

Thanks!

EliseAtLeast

· #19 · Feb 3, 2009

It looks great! Did you or can you do anything about the rust on the wheel hub assembly?

Presdntial_Detail

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 3, 2009

EliseAtLeast said:
It looks great! Did you or can you do anything about the rust on the wheel hub assembly?

We didnt go that far with it. This car see the track regularly.

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