I'd been looking forward to this car arriving for months and on Tuesday afternoon it finally came round:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C1.jpg


Can you guess what it is yet?...



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C2.jpg



For those that may still be wondering what it is, it's a Lotus 340R. There were 340 made in total and they have an elise engine (this one is just under 200bhp) and weigh just over half a tonne - lots of fun! :D

Most have see a track day or two but this one is 8 years old and has only done 1300 miles in total! :doublesho


The car was booked in for 3 days as there is alot of little details on one of these so we wanted enough time to get them all done properly :)


As it was close to 4pm on Tuesday before it arrived i decided to give the interior a quick tidy up as there was no point starting the wash process untill the next day.


It wasnt too bad - just a bit dusty:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C3.jpg



So out came the hoover and the brush attatchment:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C5.jpg


I made sure i got all the dirt out from the nooks and crannies:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C6.jpg



After the hoovering i gave all the surfaces an APC wipe down to remove any grubby marks etc:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C7.jpg



No doors to open makes some bits on these things a bit tricky to clean - like the footwells and pedals (who said a detailers job was easy?:D):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C8.jpg




This was where i left it as the interior was no doubt going to get a bit dusty over the next few days.




Wednesday - Day 1



The weather was a bit unpredictable in the morning so i covered the seats incase the heavens opened while i was washing the car:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C9.jpg



No pressure washing on this detail so i gave the car a soak with APC on the lower half and then rinsed off with the hose:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C10.jpg



Wheels next: these were cleaned with Menz 7.5:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C12.jpg


Faces cleaned with a MF mitt:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C13.jpg



Inner rims done with a wheel back brush:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C14.jpg





Tyres and suspension were sprayed with Megs Superdegreaser and agitated with a brush:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C15.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C16.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C17.jpg




Degreaser was used on a few other bits and bobs too:

before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C18.jpg


after:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C19.jpg




I then washed the car (after working out how to do it in a methodical manner!) with the 2BM and Shampoo Plus:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C20.jpg



A quik rinse followed before i then rolled the car inside for claying.


I used Aggressive Clay as there was alot of black overspray on the majority of the panels, i'm not really sure what from but either way it had to come off:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C24.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C22.jpg



The wheels were covered too:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C23.jpg




The car was then dried off with a waffle weave towel and the leaf blower.




I then removed a few bits to help with polishing:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C26.jpg


Number plate removed:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C27.jpg


Wing mirrors too:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C28.jpg




The car was sporting more defects than i'd imagined for having so little miles on the clock but i guess it had been sat around gathering dust for a while and had just recently had the body off for a service etc so it was bound to pick up the odd scratch or two...



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C31.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C32.jpg


It wouldnt be a lotus without some buffer trails, every one i've ever done has been the same:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C29.jpg




The paint was fairly healthy on all panels:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C33.jpg




Pad choice for this detail was one of our new 4" compounding pads with the Rotary. Menz 3.02 was the polish:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C34.jpg


Speeds of 1200-1500rpm's were used and temperature was continually checked due to the composite material of the car:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C35.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C36.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C37.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C38.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C39.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C40.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C41.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C42.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C43.jpg




before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C44.jpg


after:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C45.jpg





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C46.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C47.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C48.jpg



By 8pm i'd managed to get the entire front end corrected so i decided that was a good place to stop for Day 1.




Thursday - Day 2:




Polishing resumed on day 2:


Side skirt before:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C49.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C50.jpg


after:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C51.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C52.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C53.jpg




The spoiler was then removed so i could gain access to the rear of the tub:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C54.jpg


Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C55.jpg


During:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C56.jpg


After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C57.jpg




Onto the lower part at the back end:

before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C58.jpg


During:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C59.jpg



After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C60.jpg




The lower piece was one of many sections that needed the handle to be removed from the rotary to gain full acess:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C61.jpg




A quick change of pad followed (Meguiars Polishing) before i moved onto the mud guards:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C62.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C63.jpg



The N/S rear one had a scuff that needed polishing out:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C64.jpg


After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C65.jpg




Before i re-fitting the spoiler i polished the underside:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C66.jpg



Now back on the car, i corrected it with another 4" compounding pad:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C67.jpg


Not hard to see which side has been polished in this shot:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C68.jpg


After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C69.jpg


There was a couple of really deep RDS which wouldnt have even come out with wet sanding so i didnt even bother, they can just be seen in the above pic.



I had finished up at pretty much bang on 8pm for the 2nd night running so i stopped for Day 2.




Friday - Day 3:



More polishing for the start of Friday morning, but this time it was the finishing polish. I used Menz 85RD with a 3M Finishing Pad:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C70.jpg



A 4" polishing pad was used for the tighter areas:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C71.jpg



I always have various pads already centred on backing plates, this makes for a quick and easy change over :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C72.jpg



The 85RD left a super sharp finish:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C73.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C74.jpg




Once the second polishing stage was done i went over the paint protection film with Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish to freshen it up a bit:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C75.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C76.jpg




The tailpipes were easy to get to so i used the PC and a 4" Compounding pad with Blackfire Heavy Cut Metal Compound:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C77.jpg


This was followed up with a polishing pad and Raceglaze metal polish:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C78.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C79.jpg


Werkstat Prime Strong was used with a 4" polishing pad to clean up the silencer:

50/50:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C80.jpg




Prime Strong came in handy again, this time for the perspex side panels:

Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C81.jpg


After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C82.jpg




The Superdegreaser had slightly stained the metal surfaces during the wash stage so i polished these up by hand with Raceglaze metal polish:

Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C83.jpg


After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C84.jpg




Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C85.jpg


After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C86.jpg





I then dusted down all surfaces with our wool duster, gave all the paintwork a wipe down with Menz Top Inspection and then applied Vintage, which was the customers choice of LSP:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C87.jpg



This was then buffed off with a PB Ultimate Mega Towel.


The wheels were sealed with PB Wheel Sealant:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C88.jpg


Tyres were done with Blackfire Long Lasting Tyre Gel:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C89.jpg


The inner walls were done too ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C90.jpg



I then gave the interior another quick hoover to remove any dust. The mats and plastics were dressed and protected with Werkstat Satin Prot and the windscreen was cleaned with Megs Glass Cleaner Concentrate.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C98.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C97.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C99.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C96.jpg




A wipe down with Last Touch was the final job on the list before taking a few after pics :)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C113.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C111.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C110.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C109.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C108.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C107.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C106.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C105.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C104.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C103.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C102.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C101.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C100.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C95.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C93.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C92.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C94.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/340R/C91.jpg




Total Work Time - 33 hours




Thanks for looking and hopefully you enjoyed the write up, it took bloody ages to upload all those pics! :D :lol:


Clark

Clark

Posted a reply on DW, but the same goes here :)
Just incredible work as usual and a labour of love it seems. Funny how all the small intricate parts take just as long as the blooming large sections :brickwall

Great work :thumb:

wow, absolutely stunning. one of yuour best yet imo. :thumb:

Great stuff Clark :thumb: It`s always good to see something a little different :)

As always......fantastic work. One of those cars where soooo much is exposed and on show!

Nice - simple as that !

I wish I could do your job half as good as you do it. This is another level

One of my dream cars :cool:

I have heard some horror stories about them. Someone told me that if the battery goes the full bodyshell has to be removed from the spaceframe. the man-hours tally up to about £1k. Also, I recall Evo running one as a long-termer and a minor trip onto a verge cracked the front of the shell, costing £9k to repair :eek:

Stunning car and a stunning job :notworthy

Wow! :notworthy