73 Twin Cam Special

[rjbaren]

Hello guys,  I Joined the Forum Feb. 2018.  I bought my project Dec. 2018 and it is now on the road.  I have asked questions during the process but now I can say I have finally driven my car, twice.  It's a long story, but I redid the frame, suspension, & brakes, had the engine and trans rebuilt and then shipped it off to a local British car shop and they put it all together. 
I have many questions now that it drives but I will start out slow.

I have the original paint which is horribly oxidized in Lagoon blue with gold pin stripes.  I am starting to rub it out by hand.  I am certain I would burn the paint with a machine and the shop owner also recommended not taking to a detailer as they will probably burn through the paint since they don't usually see such old cars and he says Lotus didn't put a lot of paint on to begin with.  I am using Maguire's Auto Polish with a microfiber hand applicator.  I have been trying Prism polish afterwards as a finer polish.  Prism is a metal polish which is safe for paint and used for oxidized fiberglass boats too.  I am starting to see reflections so I believe I am moving in the right direction.  It doesn't look great...yet, but it is a huge improvement.

Do you guys have any tips or product recommendations to make this an easier job hopefully help me to get great results.

[Grumblebuns]

I would love to see the before and after pictures and your impressions on how the car drives.There is not much I can add on getting the paint shining but a lot of elbow grease.

Congratulations on getting the Europa back on the road.

[BDA]

Sorry I can't help you with your paint. I second Grumble's desire to see some pictures of how it looks now! 

[Pfreen]

 This is what I use.  They work with a machine or by hand.  I learned of these products from a professional I hired.
I think you will like them.  The ultra cut does not cut that much, so don't be afraid, especially by hand.

Just go slow and and it will make it the best it can be.

[Kendo]

I have been using the same two products Pfreen showed, with a DA* polisher. Sometimes I wish they cut a bit faster, but not really. I'm more afraid of cutting through the clearcoat than I am of taking longer.

The problem I have with them is I haven't been able to get a wet-look polish to the paint. I suspect I have to use some further product (compound? rouge?), but haven't identified it yet.

(*DA = dual action, random orbital, probably other regional names)

[Pfreen]

I have single stage paint(new)  and these products make it shine.  I cannot comment on 2 stage paint like you have (rjbaron).  I sand with 2500 grit wet sandpaper to getrid of orange peal and  then polish with a random orbit polisher.  It is slow, but the results are great in my opinion.
For old paint, I think hand polishing with the 105 compound will give good results and it is slow, so you won't go through the paint.

The 105 is available at Pepboys.

[rjbaren]

Thank you for the advice.  I will get some 105 today.

[rjbaren]

Thank you again for the information on the 105.  I am having a little trouble figuring out how to resize my photos.  Once I get that down I will post some.

[BDA]

Here's one way to resize your photos: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1379.0

[rjbaren]

I don't know, I have resized the photo I want to pos,t but every time I choose the photo, nothing happens.

[literarymadness]

Europas look great in Laguna Blue especially a TCS! Is that a GT6 next to it?

[surfguitar58]

A bunch of car detailer "experts" on YouTube seem to like Meguiars Mirror Glaze 7 Show Car Glaze for single stage paint, so I used it on my original Cirus White paint with pretty good results. One video even recommends leaving it on over night. I still have numerous pimple blisters, cracks and a really annoying cigarette burn on the roof, but it looks great from 10 feet and I enjoy the survivor cred that goes along with imperfect original paint.
Tom

[BDA]

rj, are you still having trouble posting pictures?

[rjbaren]

Yes I am.

[rjbaren]

Well, maybe not.