The Lotus Grand Tourers

got a couple of days off, so fixed up a couple of things on the corsa, and then turned my attention to TIL so first polish of the year. Before the weather set in last year I gave her a polish and double wax to try and stave off any fade of the colour / damage to paint over winter. Sadly she was flat as a pancake and matt pink

Below are a couple of shots where i've done half the roof to show the difference, and no, thats not polish to come off on the left.




I currently have an arm like popeye, so will have a little rest before putting the wax on. I would be more concerned, but the paintwork isn't great and it would cost thousands to fully fix, so as she looks good from a distance i'm happy she's a goer not a show'er

The alloys are in terrible condition though, so i've currently got the spare out to have a go at a little refurb myself, but i'll likely get the rest done by pro and baked knowing that its not garaged. On a side note, I noticed that the inner side of my speedline spare was pretty much unfinished ali?!

so just polish/waxand hard work to bring it back to life ?

...............Autoglym the easiest polish with the best results ive ever used........... DC.

yup hard work and elbow grease.

used autoglym deep shine, really need Super resin polish but i put the bottle somewhere and can't find it!

haven't waxed it yet, hopefully tomorrow. i'm also halfway through touching up my spare wheel!

would a machine polish help??

It probably would, I'll likely get the bonnet / front bumper, sills and spats sprayed sometime this year. That will touch it up nicely to a good standard. Especially if the rest is machine polished.

I don't have the wallet or garage to keep a car immaculate, I tried with my old focus after I had that resprayed, it took a week for someone to reverse into the rear quarter panel and put a one and half foot tall, 2 inch deep crease in it. They weren't kind enough to leave details. After I had that fixed, someone keyed it.

i'm happy to keep it good but not immaculate. That way I don't cry when it stonechips, or if I put a scratch on in a car park etc.

fitz wrote:It probably would, I'll likely get the bonnet / front bumper, sills and spats sprayed sometime this year. That will touch it up nicely to a good standard. Especially if the rest is machine polished.

I don't have the wallet or garage to keep a car immaculate, I tried with my old focus after I had that resprayed, it took a week for someone to reverse into the rear quarter panel and put a one and half foot tall, 2 inch deep crease in it. They weren't kind enough to leave details. After I had that fixed, someone keyed it.

i'm happy to keep it good but not immaculate. That way I don't cry when it stonechips, or if I put a scratch on in a car park etc.

Bravo.....just how i feel...............

That's the way to enjoy the car. I must be a real bind to own a car but be scared to get it on the road and use it.

Any defects on mine aren't flaws - they are patina.

fitz wrote:i'm happy she's a goer not a show'er

...how very true - I share your sentiment!

I've just completed the return from matt pink to shiny(ish) red too, in time for display at the Pencoed Classic Car show on May 8th.

I had my OZ wheels refurbished and trued up by Renowheel. They are local to me in Bridgend, but also ship wheels all over the country. They have a good reputation and did an absolutely superb job, not the cheapest place around but definitely worth it.

http://www.renowheel.co.uk