Colour of mouldings round windscreen etc.

[dixi4uk]

I am new here so if this subject has been discussed before please give me some slack.

 

On a '75 Elite there are mouldings around the windscreen and around the windows down the side of the car.

 

Should these mouldings be painted the colour of the car?

Should they be black?

Should they be chrome effect?

Or is it dependent on the model/colour of the car?

 

I have seen all three types but predominantly chrome effect.

 

What is the answer?

 

 

 

[eclat22]

They should be anodised aluminium,

[Dunc]

Welcome to the forum Adrian.

 

If yours have been painted or are in poor condition, one of the other posters had the idea of wrapping them in chrome vinyl. It worked really well.

 

Duncan

[johnpwalsh]

I have a complete original chrome set if interested.

[dixi4uk]

They should be anodised aluminium,

So chrome effect, which do look perfect for the era of the car.

[dixi4uk]

Welcome to the forum Adrian.

 

If yours have been painted or are in poor condition, one of the other posters had the idea of wrapping them in chrome vinyl. It worked really well.

 

Duncan

Thanks for the welcome.

 

Yes painted by some previous owner. There is no paint loss or peeling so must be keyed well so pointless using paint stripper as I think even Autosol will never get the finish back. This chrome vynyl stuff sounds good, is it something like 'Fablon'? and where do you get it?

Another member has offered me a full set but I doubt I can afford it but we shall see.

[dixi4uk]

I have a complete original chrome set if interested.

 

I have a complete original chrome set if interested.

Whoops pressed the button twice sorry guys.

 

I have sent a PM Look forward to your reply.

[dixi4uk]

I would like to say thank you those that have replied so far and to any who answer further down the line.

 

This forum is great.

 

Guys I am desparately in need of a Workshop manual and the Parts manual for the 75 Elite.

 

I am willing to buy asap. New are little out of reach at present

 

I will be putting an ad in the appropriate section but meantime if anyone has one for sale please PM me.

 

I have a fair amount MOT prep to do so the manuals would be invaluable.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Dunc]

I think someone said that you can access the manuals online as part of full forum membership? or is that just for the esprit?

 

In truth, I wouldn't get too worried about the manuals, unless your planning an engine rebuild or something. I never use mine as our cars are fairly self explanatory. They are proper garage manuals, and not particularly user freindly or helpful in the way older Haynes items would be.

 

Please start a thread in projects/restorations  with some photos as it helps build enthusiasm and sharing.

 

Also, if you would like to add your car to the register, please email me at elite-eclat-registe[email protected] and I will send you a form to complete and return.

 

The best thing about this forum is that there are some helpful and knowledgeable mechanic owners on here. If you have a question or even just need some support and encouragement before tackling something, post it up, somone will be along to help soon. Searching the previous posts also contains a mine of info.

 

Dunc

[CharlieCroker]

I'm thinking of doing mine brushed aluminium, much like a DeLorean. I've got quite a few deep scratches in them so either the chrome vinyl wrap treatment or a satin brushed look.

[mikeeech]

 Red Chrome?

 

I'm thinking of doing mine brushed aluminium, much like a DeLorean. I've got quite a few deep scratches in them so either the chrome vinyl wrap treatment or a satin brushed look.

[pbharcourt]

The chrome wrap works really well but I just cant get a wrinkle free finish on the two top front corner pieces as they are double curved, everything else looks fantastic!

I thought black chrome might look good!

[dixi4uk]

I'm thinking of doing mine brushed aluminium, much like a DeLorean. I've got quite a few deep scratches in them so either the chrome vinyl wrap treatment or a satin brushed look.

The problem here of course is achieving an even brushed effect on all the trims.

Recently there was a programme on TV where they were restoring a DeLorean and they buffed the whole car with something. I wish I had paid more attention, the finished car looked better than new.

[dixi4uk]

The chrome wrap works really well but I just cant get a wrinkle free finish on the two top front corner pieces as they are double curved, everything else looks fantastic!

I thought black chrome might look good!

Try warming the foil and apply to a wet yes wet corner piece. In theory you should be able to stretch out the wrinkles.

The water dries out and the glue sticks.

[CharlieCroker]

I saw the Wheeler Dealer De Lorean restoration, the guy uses a flapper sanding wheel to get the deep scratches out then by hand evens the suface out with a block and sandpaper. I'm not decided yet, but thinking about it.

[dixi4uk]

I saw the Wheeler Dealer De Lorean restoration, the guy uses a flapper sanding wheel to get the deep scratches out then by hand evens the suface out with a block and sandpaper. I'm not decided yet, but thinking about it.

I have been offered a full set of bright trims. If I go ahead, which I think so at the moment, I will have a painted set left over for you to practise on. Maybe we can do a deal aginst those tyres you have.

What do you think?

[mikeeech]

Linishing is the phrase your looking for. find them in the yellow pages. this sought of stuff you'll find on an industrial estate near you with a one man band doing stuff.  

 

I love the industrial estate around me. lots of engineering firms, coach trimmers, powder coaters, metal finishers... problem is that these are most found by recommendation.

 

The problem here of course is achieving an even brushed effect on all the trims.

Recently there was a programme on TV where they were restoring a DeLorean and they buffed the whole car with something. I wish I had paid more attention, the finished car looked better than new.

[CharlieCroker]

I have been offered a full set of bright trims. If I go ahead, which I think so at the moment, I will have a painted set left over for you to practise on. Maybe we can do a deal aginst those tyres you have.

What do you think?

You're desperate for these tyres aren't you. If you want them then come and get them, take them off the rims (your expense) and you can have the best 4 for £40, as long as I have the rims to sell on.

[dixi4uk]

Oh dear I must sound desparate. A potential buyer must never do that.

I will pm you if that is ok. I have a suggestion.

[rjwooll]

I've recently had my S2.2 Elite restored and one of the most challenging issues was refurbishing the anodised aluminium trim to do justice to the respray. Here are my notes and hopefully some useful information/contacts for others faced with the same issue:

 

I'd like to share my experiences in getting these trims refurbished. They are easily damaged when removed from the car and especially when the windscreen is replaced. They also suffer from pitting (often caused by the use of abrasive metal polish which should never be used on anodised finishes) and from dents.

The first step is to decide if your trims can be refurbished. If they are badly pitted, then refurbishment will often make the pitting look worse than before as it is normally too deep to be polished out. If bent or distorted then it is normally possible for them to be straightened. If you need used replacements then try Lotusbits who have a stock to choose from. They also have a limited supply of new trims (the windscreen pillar trims and spider pieces that sit above them).

Once you have a decent set of trim, decide if the finish is good enough after using non-abrasive metal polish. If not and/or if they need straightening, I have used these suppliers successfully for my car:

1. Metal straightening: Heritage Motor Works Ltd, Busta Farm Brickhouse Hill, Eversley, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 0PY. Tel: 0118 973 1631. My contact is Drew.

2. Stripping and re-anodising: Acorn Plating, 4 Vulcan Way, Sandhurst, GU47 9DB. Tel: 01252 860424. My contact is Steve Barry.

3. Polishing. This is actually done after the old anodising has been stripped by Acorn by P.J.S. Polishing, in the same building as Acorn. Tel: 07747 028944. Contact is Pete.

Heritage and Acorn are only a few miles from each other, and Heritage will take the parts down to Acorn/PJS once they have straightened them.

To give you an idea of costs, I had the upper and lower windscreen trims straightened by Heritage for just under £80 (incl VAT). Polishing for all 12 pieces of trim was £120 incl VAT, and stripping and re-anodising the 12 was £50 incl VAT.

I hope this is useful as this was certainly a headache for me, having had one set of trims ruined by an incompetent anodising company.

All the best, Richard

[mikeeech]

WOW THAT'S AMAZING VALUE IMO; they must make such a transformation. that's for the tip.

[esprit s2]

Have you any pictures of the finished trim Richard? This is something I need to do on my car, thanks for the info.

[rjwooll]

These are some pics from last year - nothing very close up I'm afraid. Also I didn't get the rear window done - I bought a good secondhand one as the trims are very difficult to remove and replacements aren't available.

 

 

ATB

 

Richard

[mat grant]

Hi Richard,

 

Thanks for that post - especially interesting to me since I am edging closer to getting my car resprayed and I live in Sandhurst!

 

In fact the guy I want to use for my spray work is in the same Vulcan way industrial estate! My car has decent condition trims, but if they can be refinished to look like new that would be great - those prices are a lot cheaper than I was expecting. My worry was always that they would get damaged while being removed and I wouldn't be able to repair or find replacements.

 

What adhesive did you use to fix the trim pieces back on? And did you renew the little clips at are used to secure the lower trims?

 

Thanks, Mat.

[rjwooll]

Hi Mat,

 

I think the only place adhesive is needed is the top and bottom windscreen trims - these originally clipped into place using plastic clips fixed to the bodywork which are probably snapped off by now and are I believe no longer available. Check what Lotusbits recommends.

 

The other place clips are used is on the rear window lower trims. These are no longer available new but Lotusbits may be able to supply some secondhand.

 

Removal is when they normally get damaged (and this is when you'll find you might need new clips!) but they can be straightened again if not too badly bent.. My lower window trims (rear window and door) were slightly distorted again when they were put on. I think this was done without using a wooden drift, which is what I'd do and very gently go along the piece tapping it in a little at a time.

 

Good luck!

 

Richard