Lotus Elan Central

by **Enright** » Sun 28.01.2007, 18:43

Possibly the reason I'm cr@p at spraying stuf is that I have no patience.
I want it to all be done NOW without any "inconvenient" waiting for drying between coats. :roll:

But this time it seems to have all worked out rather nicely.

I've just gently cleaned up the previously polished lettering, then sprayed a coat of lacquer on.
It's amazing how the blue now leaps out at you.

I'm well chuffed.

Perhaps just one last coat of lacquer, but to all intents and purposes, tis done.

by **ailwyn** » Sun 28.01.2007, 23:40

Neil,

That's very nice, all credit.... what's your address so I can get mine done... in a nicer colour though, obviously

A.

by **dapinky** » Mon 29.01.2007, 00:33

Neil

I'm impressed!

:bowdown:

I was impressed when i saw Pauls yellow one, then again when i saw yours with the 'weight saving' metal removal.

If immitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, you should both feel very flattered!

On Friday I went out and bought some 'Collapso rouge' paint (No Phil, NOT Hammerite this time!) and some clear laqueur (is that spelled write?).

I cleaned out my spraygun and put oil in the new compressor - I'm looking to have it colour co-ordinated very soon.

Still not sure if the raised letters would be best polished or painted black - any thoughts? :smt102

by **Enright** » Mon 29.01.2007, 01:00

Thanks Ailwyn - you should see it now it's on.
I've taken one last pic but it was dark so it's a bit fuzzy.

I'll PM you my address - my rates are very unreasonable! :lol:

Only problem is that there aren't any nicer colours.

Dave,

I struggled with that decision too.
Black matches the DOHC 16V, but the polished silver matches Brian's oil cap and the polished covers which are closer, so I went with that.
Depends whether you've got a dark or light colour I suppose.
On Paul's I thought the black was perfect.
You could go either way with red I suppose...

by **dapinky** » Mon 29.01.2007, 01:05

Neil the Indecisive wrote:Only problem is that there aren't any nicer colours.

I struggled with that decision too.......

Depends whether you've got a dark or light colour I suppose.......

You could go either way with red I suppose...

Apart from the HUGELY inacurate first sentence, thanks a lot for your definative answer to the dilemma :-D

I think I'll start with a polished one, and i can always black it in after if i think it might be the way to go.

by **paulwatkins** » Mon 29.01.2007, 09:13

That looks great Neil...good job!

I agree with your comments about the lettering....the silver looks good with the darker, blue background, black wouldn't of suited.

The engine bay would look even better with blue water hoses mind!! :wink:

by **Enright** » Mon 29.01.2007, 10:00

Wanna swap your blue ones for my nice OEM black? :wink:

by **paulwatkins** » Mon 29.01.2007, 10:27

I've got a spare set of OEM hoses, boxed up in the garage.. :wink:

I wonder if anyone would buy them on ebay!

by **Dico** » Mon 29.01.2007, 17:43

paulwatkins wrote:

The engine bay would look even better with blue water hoses mind!!

by **Dico** » Mon 29.01.2007, 17:44

by **paulwatkins** » Mon 29.01.2007, 22:21

Exactly like that Dico! :-D

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 29.01.2007, 22:47

by **Paul.P** » Mon 29.01.2007, 23:03

The black lettering on the yellow looks cool !

by **Enright** » Mon 29.01.2007, 23:03

I can't deny that Dico's and Paul's were the inspiration.
Mind you, making the bay sparkle is a bit easier when the whole (or most of the) engine comes out!

Here's mine in daylight...

by **markv** » Mon 29.01.2007, 23:26

This thread and the superb pictures of the finished product have even inspired me, a DIY no-hoper, to think that I could have a go at that.....but I'd never do it with the original cam cover in case something went horribly wrong. Are spares available, and how much are they? Presumably you need a gasket thingy as well?

by **Enright** » Mon 29.01.2007, 23:42

Of course, it looks an awful lot better when taken with a proper camera.

Only problem is, now I've got bring the rest up to the same standard!

I only had a go because I'd picked up the knackered engine off eBay.
No idea how much a proper replacement would cost, but the original is dead easy to unbolt, and I reckon you could get it sprayed or powder coated for WAY less than £50.

The gasket is a springy rubber one and appears to be re-useable. Or at least mine isn't peeing oil everywhere yet!

by **Doug** » Tue 30.01.2007, 00:13

it's just a cam cover gasket, so just subject to oil spray from the cams/valves -- it's not under pressure so you are just looking for a seal that wont leak oil -- you can reuse it and get lucky or put on a new one -- not sure of the price but they should not be expensive

by **paulwatkins** » Tue 30.01.2007, 08:36

You will also need a small tube of sealant to apply to certain locations as per the service manual.

See attached excerpt from service manual showing sealant application and cover fitting instructions.

by **Enright** » Thu 22.02.2007, 01:35

Next big lump to paint from the "project" engine - the plenum chamber.
Unfortunately I didn't do a before shot, but believe me it's a massive improvement over how it was.
All it took was paintbrush and some "Gunk", then a quick dry off, and after that a good spray with some silver paint. And just to round it all off, touching up the lettering with some black paint.
I even gave the throttle body a good clean inside & out too.

by **Paul.P** » Thu 22.02.2007, 08:21

Doug wrote:- you can reuse it and get lucky or put on a new one -- not sure of the price but they should not be expensive

About £22 , ive got a brand new one in my shed, as was also able to re-use the old one.

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