65 replies to this topic

[@ndyC]

Hi all,

Thought I would share my project which i've finally made a start on. Picked up a silver NA earlier this year with low miles that needed a fair bit of TLC and had also been keyed on nearly every panel!





Since then have replaced a few parts to tidy things up a little and fix a few niggles, including adding the obligatory satin black wheels:



On to the main plan though which has always been to have a colour change to Lotus Chrome Orange and a stage 2 s/c install. Will tackle the re-spray first simply because my brother does it for a living then once I have sourced the s/c parts they will be added during the winter ready for next spring.

Anyhow made a start yesterday with me mostly drinking tea helping my bro strip the car relatively easily with only a few snapped bits along the way! Will add a few pics although i'm sure most have seen these type of pics before:

Front Clam Removed:





Rollbar Cover Removed:





Rear Clam Removed:







Interior Stripped:





Will check in again to update on progress - aiming to have the car back together by next weekend so its going to be a busy week!

[2.2_na]

Good 'progress pics'.

All the best with the rest of your project.

[Lou_m]

This will look stunning when finished!

[Pink Princess]

This will look fab when it is done. I guess you are going to be having a full respray. Why not go for a colour that doesnt already exist on a vx?

[@ndyC]

Hi all, - thanks for the replies and interest. PP, yes will be a full respray I just preferred the chrome orange instead of the vx mandarin - still have to decide on the exact colour mix/level of pearl etc. in the next day or two. This is my second major project having built a kit car previously but this time i'm hoping to end up with a car that ticks all the boxes for me and can become a long term keeper. I've spent the last few months running the car about most weekends to get used to it before deciding on which mods are going to suit me and so far i've got to say i've really enjoyed the ownership experience. Fingers crossed my plan works out and the completed car is worth the grazed arms, bruised knuckles and hours spent searching for the right parts!

[rob999]

I look forward to seeing the results May see you around MK when I'm back up that way.

[@ndyC]

Hi,

So onto day 2, which was basically hours & hours of prepping to get the panels in a suitable condition ready for the paint. Had a few small glass repairs to do as well but all in all pretty happy so far. Updated pics:

Engine cover pretty much done



Roll Bar Cover



Door repair in progress





Rear Clam repair





Tomorrow should hopefully see most of the panels in primer and assuming i get the doors fully stripped maybe the interior trim prepped and ready to go. Really is quite daunting seeing the grp being ground away at an alarming rate with the belt sander! Have also been really surprised at how fragile the clams are in places - managed to add a few extra cracks along the way much to my brothers amusement!

Probably the most soul destroying part though is removing all the adhesive strips and seals etc. which at times seem invincible - unlike my fingers!

[@ndyC]

Update on progress - pretty much finished with the prep now so should see the primer going on tomorrow. Really hoping to see the first splash of colour appear soon after that. Had lots of small stone chips and various dinks to sort out which has added a lot of time into the process. I've been planning this since April and have taken this week off work aiming to get it finished but i'm realising my estimate may have been a little tight and I should probably have taken at least two! Funny that as in my day job im a project manager More pics to follow once there is something worth showing.

[@ndyC]

Hi all,



So after putting in some serious hours this week all of the bodywork is now finished in chrome orange. Final stage is to flat out any imperfections before polishing and then the refitting can start. A few pics taken with my phone - will get some decent pics up showing the final finish and colour when its all back together and out in the daylight.



Pre-primer stage:





Finished in Primer:








Orange time:







Also decided to start adding some new parts and upgrades whilst the car is in the workshop, so the list currently includes:



· Full JG bolt set

· JG hub bolt upgrade

· Nitron street series shocks

· EBC ultimax brake discs

· Mintex 1144 Pads

· OE inner/outer toe links

· OE Aerial and base mount

· Lotus Elise wiper arm and blade

· Lotus front roof seal

· Outer door seals

· Front/rear number plate

· New battery

· Expansion tank

· EGR blank and cheater



Think that’s it for now. Cant wait to get this back on the road and hopefully make it along to a future MK meet – got to get my head around the s/c conversion next!

[jameso]

Good job dude

[JG]

Orange

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

in the last pic it look almost peach good work so far

[leevx2.2]

Do a deal on a S/C conversion me and Joe fancy a respray ;-)

[MAXR]

Awesome Colour!

[Pink Princess]

I need some bits spraying lol want any graphics lol.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

in the last pic it look almost peach

Look forward to seeing pictures of the everything re-assembled.

[Count Vaux Alot]

Looking good so far i like the sound of your plans and i like the colour - good choice.

[ChrisS1]

Does your brother fancy doing another VX?

[@ndyC]

Hi,

Thanks for all the comments - except for the peachy ones, just need to get some decent pics to show the ORANGE Not had the chance to do anything this week but fingers crossed will have it back together this weekend.

Should say that this has only been possible thanks to my brother Rick and his boss who very kindly let me take over the workshop for a week or two to get this done

Things i've learnt so far though which I think are worth sharing:

- GRP is bloody hard work to prep
- if you so much as look at a panel in the wrong way it will crack/snap/break
- The VX appears to be held together mostly by double sided tape and sabotaged bolts/rivets/rivnets etc.
- D/A sanders are a god send
- The VX has far too many edges that the D/A sander cannot reach
- Prepping panels causes you to become depressed
- You do get used to the dust after a while
- Thinners/panel wipe melts gloves
- This paint spraying lark is not for me

Of course though if anyone is interested in any paint work or maybe just some info about GRP specific issues/repairs just let me know and i'll pass it on to get an answer for you no probs. Now onto that s/c conversion - Lee i'd happily do a deal tomorrow if it was my bodyshop!!! was planning on going down the diy route but must admit i'd like to get a lot more knowledge before bidding for bits on ebay that may not be the best or most cost effectvie way to go. Would be grateful for any advice anyone may have on this

[Big Steve]

Of course though if anyone is interested in any paint work or maybe just some info about GRP specific issues/repairs just let me know and i'll pass it on to get an answer for you no probs.

A quote to respray (flat black) a front clam (removed, delivered) would be welcome. No repair needed. PM me.



PS great work - love that orange colour, plus another crappy silver gone. Bonus.