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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Onbeachw320 on Monday,February 21, 2022, 03:30:12 PM

Title: Another surprise
Post by: Onbeachw320 on Monday,February 21, 2022, 03:30:12 PM
Today I finished removing the bad glass work on my "firewall" area.  I am glad I took time to remove the bad glass.  I had an impression that the panel behind the passenger area was loose.  It turns out that once I removed the fiberglass holding it in, it nearly fell out.  I was concerned about needing to bond it back to the engine compartment side, and then I saw that the panel was still there.  This one I had been fighting has been "an extra".  I am going to remove this panel.  Jr73 discussed the weird appearance of my bodyshell.  The seller told me that this shell was imported in the 1980s, so that might explain why it appears so raw.  There is no primer, and the gel coat is clear.  I will visit the boat supply place this upcoming Thursday and check into Airex, or its competing products.  I can see how in time these fiberboard panels break down and disintegrate, and a loose lamination like I found today would doom it even more by giving moisture a place to hide and fester.  I haven't heard back from the Lotus Supply folks who now sell the bodyshells, but I need to find out soon how best to proceed.  As you can see from the photos, the bad glass was quite apparent and relatively easy to remove as it wasn't applied very well.  All of the "white" areas have been removed.
Title: Re: Another surprise
Post by: Richard48Y on Monday,February 21, 2022, 06:15:15 PM
For my own S2 my intent is 1/8" Aluminum Honeycomb.
Not cheap but should be utterly rot-proof, heat insulating, and sound proofing.
From what I have measured a 4'x10" piece should be enough for three finished parts.
Title: Re: Another surprise
Post by: Onbeachw320 on Monday,February 21, 2022, 07:51:58 PM
Where are you going to buy it?  How do you cut it?
Title: Re: Another surprise
Post by: Richard48Y on Monday,February 21, 2022, 09:03:38 PM
Several sources on-line.
Nearest manufacturer to me appears to be in Denver CO.
Hoping I may find a distributor in Reno, Sacramento, or Las Vegas.
I have a Router, a Roto-Zip, and varied saws.
Router may be the cleanest cut once I make a pattern to follow.
Title: Re: Another surprise
Post by: Kendo on Monday,February 21, 2022, 09:52:13 PM
4’x10” sounds like not enough area. Maybe 4’x10’? (I used a 4’x8’ sheet of 1/2” marine ply. But alu honeycomb would be cool)
Title: Re: Another surprise
Post by: Fotog on Tuesday,February 22, 2022, 09:18:24 AM
  As you can see from the photos, the bad glass was quite apparent and relatively easy to remove as it wasn't applied very well.  All of the "white" areas have been removed.
Actually, it's quite difficult to see.  Re-size it to 800 pixels wide, and we can see it!... Just a suggestion.
[piece of cake with MSoft paint]
-Vince
Title: Re: Another surprise
Post by: dakazman on Tuesday,February 22, 2022, 05:54:13 PM
   Onbeach,
 There has been discussion about firewalls , or lack of in our vehicles. Run a search on firewalls.
Members have glassed in plywood to aluminum sheet. Myself , I formed a lightweight, moisture proof, sound absorbing , fire proof panels from a compound listed in my thread .
 You made the right decision to tear it out.
Dakazman
Title: Re: Another surprise
Post by: GavinT on Tuesday,February 22, 2022, 10:11:01 PM
Actually, it's quite difficult to see.  Re-size it to 800 pixels wide, and we can see it!... Just a suggestion.

Yes, I couldn't see it properly either.
Here it is at 800 x 600.