📓 Journals Crash and Panel Blistering Repair

[geoffbland]

10th July

I spoke to Beaconsfield Workshop again to get another update on the car.

The good news is that it's now all back together and all the panel gaps aligned - a laborious job but Beaconsfield have probably lined up the panels on more Emiras than anyone else. The front bumper and bonnet have been taken off again temporarily whilst they test the engine cooling system, radiator fans, heater electrics and pressure-test the air conditioning to make sure everything is working exactly as it should.

There has, however, been another slight delay.

Collection has slipped back by around another week. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the front-end PPF booked in this week (earliest it can be done is this coming Thursday), and the air conditioning still needs to be re-gassed offsite. Beaconsfield don't carry out A/C re-gassing in-house - it has to be done by a certified specialist.

We also got talking about touch-up paint. Beaconsfield said they would supply me with some of the same colour, but they were keen to manage my expectations. The car paint is a three-stage system consisting of a white base coat, the colour coat and a protective gel coat. Because of that, they explained that no touch-up paint will ever be completely invisible, regardless of what some of the impressive YouTube demonstrations might suggest.

I said it would still be useful to have a small bottle, just in case someone ever put a minor scratch on the car.

Their response was priceless. They were mock outraged and made me promise not to let anyone ever scratch it!

One other milestone—although not one I was hoping to reach—we've now passed 100 days since I last drove my Emira…

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Bro I come here for pics not novels

 

[geoffbland]

Bro I come here for pics not novels

My man, I'm chasing them for pics constantly - they must have got fed up with me a long time ago (but they are very polite). Believe me, I want to see how the car's getting along way more that you do!

 

[geoffbland]

13th July

The wheels are back from powder coating, with a gloss black finish.

They'll be fitted with the original yellow and green Lotus centre caps, although I do have a set of black centre caps if I ever decide to change the look. At the moment, though, the black centre caps are on my new Aerie wheels, which are fitted with my summer tyres. Those will be going on the car as soon as I get it back home.

I know black wheels tend to divide opinion, but personally I think they work really well with the new body colour. I'm really going off laser-cut diamond-turned wheels, for some reason they just make me think of EVs – I would have powder coated them anyway.

I did briefly consider having the wheels powder coated in Verdant Green It would have been something a little different but I think not very subtle – like the rest of the car is now.

Now that I've seen the gloss black wheels against the car, I'm convinced it was the right decision.

Edit: I just noticed the yellow callipers although still not a great match, actually match my new yellow closer than they ever matched Hethel Yellow.

 

[Orchardbike]

I think the black wheels will be perfect with that yellow. If it was me, I’d probably have gone black for the roof as well, but I know you ruled that out.

 

[Beachbum]

I am one of those that rarely likes black wheels, however that pic of yours show them to be a good combo with the colour you have
I would certainly stick with black. Maybe a different colour at a later date, but I do not think silver would work well.

 

[geoffbland]

15th July

This time next week I'll have my Emira back. Although I'm really looking forward to it, I'm trying not to count the days...

...except, of course, I know it's exactly 136 hours until collection.

Before heading off for PPF, the car was fully prepared in the workshop. Apart from the badges, the bodywork is now completely finished. I have to admit, the Emira looks surprisingly bare without its badges. There aren't actually that many on the car, but somehow the Emira looks quite different without them.

Yes... that is my car's naked rear end. Sexy.

Beaconsfield Workshop has recently opened a sister company, Beaconsfield Detailing Shop, just a few miles away, so the car moved there for the front-end PPF installation.

I honestly didn't think the car could look any better than it did in the previous workshop photos, but somehow it does. I'm not sure whether that's simply the effect of the fresh PPF adding another level of gloss, or whether the detailing team has also given it a thorough finishing detail as well. Whatever they've done, the finish looks incredible.

Again there's a bit of a green-tint showing here that is not the true colour due to the blue in the LED lights. The must be some unwritten law that mandates all detailing shops must have LED lights arranged in hexagons.

I'm assuming that many of the Emira that have had new panels have also gone to Beaconsfield Detailing Shop to have PPF re-applied - so they must be very familiar with the car by now. Might be worth bearing in mind for anyone else that wants PPF or detailing on their Emira. I've not seen my car in the flesh yet but judging by the photos they seem to have done a really good job - not a PPF seam in sight that I can see.

There is one small annoyance though, if you look really closely.

The replacement front bumper arrived from Lotus with four holes drilled for a front number plate plinth. I'm not entirely sure whether UK replacement bumpers are supplied pre-drilled like this, although the holes look a little too hand-finished for that. It's also possible the bumper originally came from a factory-built UK car before ending up as a replacement part.

It's only a minor issue and I can deal with it but it’s a little disappointing to have such beautiful paintwork interrupted by four unnecessary holes.

 

[virtualmacho]

I think the blue ones will add a nice accent while filling the holes, although you may want to go with the yellows.

 

[F1 SML8R]

@geoffbland Car looks incredible.

BTW, I'm sure the shop guys know this better than me but for years (in the states) most body shops have discouraged PPF on freshly painted panels until after at least a couple of months (some suggest longer). They typically refer to it as a "curing period". All it really does is minimize the risk of paint being pulled up if and when you decide to pull off the PPF for either a replacement or some other reason. Did your shop have any concerns with doing PPF right away?

 

[Foosh]

@geoffbland Car looks incredible.

BTW, I'm sure the shop guys know this better than me but for years (in the states) most body shops have discouraged PPF on freshly painted panels until after at least a couple of months (some suggest longer). They typically refer to it as a "curing period". All it really does is minimize the risk of paint being pulled up if and when you decide to pull off the PPF for either a replacement or some other reason. Did your shop have any concerns with doing PPF right away?

I've heard the same thing for years from professional painters. I've also heard the same from PPF installers. That is, it is wise to let the paint cure for 3-6 months to ensure paint fully cures and does not come off if/when the PPF needs to be removed.

Most new vehicles (particularly imports to US) have been OEM painted at least 3-6 months before they reach the dealer. Moreover, panels at most factories are heat-cured as part of the paint process.

 

[geoffbland]

@geoffbland Car looks incredible.

BTW, I'm sure the shop guys know this better than me but for years (in the states) most body shops have discouraged PPF on freshly painted panels until after at least a couple of months (some suggest longer). They typically refer to it as a "curing period". All it really does is minimize the risk of paint being pulled up if and when you decide to pull off the PPF for either a replacement or some other reason. Did your shop have any concerns with doing PPF right away?

I had this concern too and asked the body shop about it prior to PPF. They stated that due to the way it was painted and baked to cure that I didn't need to wait any longer. They did say that they've done this many times before with no issues.

 

[Foosh]

Great, if they heat-cured all panels, it's most likely safe to install the PPF now.

 

[geoffbland]

Just been on the phone with Beaconsfield Workshop - it's confirmed. The car will be ready for pickup this Wednesday.

120 hours and counting...

 

[Beachbum]

Now we just need to know what will be its first outing to a meet. I'll try to get there, assuming its not Essex

 

[geoffbland]

Now we just need to know what will be its first outing to a meet. I'll try to get there, assuming its not Essex

You may be waiting a few weeks I'm afraid - as soon as I get the car back it's off for a shakedown tour in Cornwall for a long week-end before a 3 week , 4,000 mile European tour.

 

[Beachbum]

You may be waiting a few weeks I'm afraid - as soon as I get the car back it's off for a shakedown tour in Cornwall for a long week-end before a 3 week , 4,000 mile European tour.

Depending on where in Cornwall and your route there/back, I might manage to bump into(metaphorically)

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

Depending on where in Cornwall and your route there/back, I might manage to bump into(metaphorically)

You do realize after what @geoffbland has been through recently that's the equivalent of uttering the b-o-m-b word on an airplane.

Anyway, all the best @geoffbland , I've enjoyed seeing your journey back to the road and your car looks GREAT! Looking forward to seeing some roadtrip pics next!

 

[Beachbum]

Hey !!! I did use the word Metaphorically. I even spelt it right

 

[geoffbland]

Hey !!! I did use the word Metaphorically. I even spelt it right

You know what you are doing even if it is metaphorical - and giving me flash backs is not funny!

OK... it's a little bit funny.

 

[Orchardbike]

I was going to bump this post, but my PC crashed.