Lotus Elan Bodywork

[tungi1904]

I bought a 1973 Lotus Elan 2+2. The bodywork had been repaired and then primed and then stored with little or no protection from the elements. I intend to repaint the bodywork and would greatly appreciate any advise you may be able to provide. I must say I am a novice working with fibreglass but I have nearly completed removing the paint. The next steps I intend to take:

1. Dry the fibreglass body in paint booth. Not sure the temperature or length of time in the booth. Welcome any inputs.
2. Spray bodywork with sealant. Again not sure which is best.
3. Carryout repairs to bodywork various repair techniques and materials.
4. Apply high build primer and sand body removing high points and filling low points.
5. Spray paint body. This will be undertaken by a professional spray shop.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[dapinky]

Hi Tungi, and welcome....

.... before anyone else jumps in without being (or even with being!) helpful, let me say that this forum is intended for the later M100 Elan (1989-1995) and not the earlier ones.

However, the following thoughts may be helpful/useful.

The manner in which the earlier cars and the later (post 1974) cars bodywork was produced are by a different process, so any techniques used may or may not be suitable for the other 'type'.

Early cars were made up by manually layering fibreglass matting and resin in a mould to form the desired item, whilst the later ones were made using an 'injection moulding' process with a 'paste' made up of resin and fibreglass strands in a mould......

the final surface (for paint) of the 2 are similar but different, so advice here may not be suitable for a gel-coated laminate.

The method of construction of the +2 (and others of the era) was not specific to Lotus, so there may well be loads of information on other sites for other cars.... or boats..... or caravans.... or anything else made of fibreglass!

There is a forum dedicated to the earlier Elans which may be able to guide you further - www.lotuselan.net - that said, your list looks good to me (although I can't offer any specific advice on processes/materials)