Lacquer Peeling

[PaulSeales]

Guys,

Is it possible to re-lacquer an Elan? Almost finished in restoring my car (sold in 2001 - reacquired last year) and the final thing is the paint.

The guy I sold it to basically let it go and most of the lacquer on the rear is done in. The paint itself is fine as is the other 2\3 of the car.

Just been quoted £3500 for a full respray and can't go that high. Especially when it's just the boot, hood compartment and rear quarters that need doing. The rest is tip top.

Any advice here would be appreciated.

Paul.

[Jamie N]

In theory yes, but the results may not be great, I have done it in the past where all the lacquer was gone leaving no ridges and had success, even with rattle cans if you are diligent you can do a great job, I have sprayed virtually a whole car ( Honda CRX) with nothing but rattle cans and done that good a finish on it that my mate who is a paint sprayer by trade could hardly tell the difference, its all about preparation, then leaving the paint long enough to dry before trying to flat and buff it (weeks).
What you could do is get a can of clear lacquer and try it on a small panel, put enough coats on then leave it a good few days, flat it with 1000/ 1200 grade then t-cut/farecla or similar and then polish it and see how it looks, if its poor you would have to get it resprayed anyway so no big loss, but if you go about it methodically and keep everything spotless you may well be astonished at what can be done with just cans and for a fraction of what a company will charge!.

£3.5 k for a full respray on an Elan is excessive to say the least, I know 3 really good painters who know their stuff and would charge about a grand for a good paint job on an average sized car, or 400 if I prep it and buy the paint.

If you have to get it painted elsewhere, shop around, don't pay more than 2g for a full hit no matter who does it. HTH.
Jamie.

[PaulSeales]

Thanks Jamie - My pop is pretty handy and I may let him loose on it as I think that is something he could\would be able to do.

Also, I have a friend who's brother has his own bodyshop. I Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. He reckons he could take back the whole of the rear and redo the whole lot for £350. Would respray the whole car for £800! I sent him photos and that was his response. Mates rates obviously.

Something to consider I guess.

Paul.

[Jeemy]

Just take real care that you properly reduce down any cracks or flaws in the fibreglass and apply new gel coat. My painter did not and the expansion and contraction of the fibreglass under daily, normal heat, brought them all back through without any flexible underlay to protect them. FYI I paid £700 for my respray.