Exige S1 - Engine cover refurb?

[Edmundo2]

Hi.

Has anyone any experience of refurbing/refinishing an OEM Exige S1 perspex engine cover?

I recently became the owner of a mint car barring the engine cover which has some scratches in it and some laquer peel..

I've had some advice that the tint is right the way through the plastic so can potentially sand the whole thing with very fine grade DA pads and then mop polish back to a shine before either re-laquer or poss ppf..

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Ed

[LostCockney]

I would suggest that you go and visit a good car detailer , who I am sure would be able to improve if not remove all of these marks.Its amazing what they can do.

[Oliie]

I have the same issue... did you have any luck? I can't seem to find a new replacement unit (only the motorsport replacement unit which has louvers).

[Edmundo2]

Oliie said:

I have the same issue... did you have any luck? I can't seem to find a new replacement unit (only the motorsport replacement unit which has louvers).

Hi,

I’ll let you know soon as it’s currently at a bodyshop. The advice I was given by someone who’s done it before was to sand all the lacquer off with DA startling with circa 600 or 800 grit and finishing up at circa 1400 grit wet. Once uniform then clear coat and finally polish. Fingers crossed it goes ok. I’ll feedback in due course, ( possibly in tears ).

[Oliie]

Edmundo2 said:

Oliie said:

I have the same issue... did you have any luck? I can't seem to find a new replacement unit (only the motorsport replacement unit which has louvers).

Hi,

I’ll let you know soon as it’s currently at a bodyshop. The advice I was given by someone who’s done it before was to sand all the lacquer off with DA startling with circa 600 or 800 grit and finishing up at circa 1400 grit wet. Once uniform then clear coat and finally polish. Fingers crossed it goes ok. I’ll feedback in due course, ( possibly in tears ).

Haha ok thanks! Wishing you good luck... Should be ok. Mine has also debonded from the frame so have to figure out how to put it back.

[Edmundo2]

Hi Ollie...All done. Looks like new!

[BertBert]

Lovely! Is that with sanding and polishing?

[Edmundo2]

Yep. Body shop demanded I don't ever disclose his name as he never wants to do another...However the process is straight forward. Sand with DA starting with 800 grit and work through grades with final pass at 1600 or 1800 grit wet. Don't stop moving the DA.. Then clear coat then polish...A much longer process than you might imagine to remove all the old laquer and a shed load of discs..

A lot cheaper than sourcing a new old stock screen..

[Oliie]

Wow this is amazing! Thanks so much for sharing!

May I ask how you bonded it back to the frame? Any special glue?

Edit: just realised its still on the frame. Mine has debonded from the top due to heat... so have to figure a way to stick it back.

[Edmundo2]

Hi. Yes mine was in great condition apart from the surface finish. No delamination etc..Good luck with it.

Cheers, Ed