Discussion
Probably not a unique problem, but the hood on my Elise S1 leaks, particularly around the corner edges of where the windscreen & door window meet. This tends to be much worse when the car has stood out in the rain (or e.g. in heavy traffic involving stopping & starting) and less of a problem during say a continuous motorway drive through rain (i.e. no stopping allowing the hood to become saturated)
In order to improve the water-proofing of my (green cloth) hood I was considering using a water-proofing product similar to the spray-on products sold in outdoor shops (used to water-proof tents and clothing) - however, they all seem to warn against using on cotton based products (fine for gortex, polartec etc) - does anyone know if there is a water-proofing product that could be used safely on a coloured hood ?? Has anybody else water-proofed their hood ?? Did it work ??
Jonathan - Elise S1
In order to improve the water-proofing of my (green cloth) hood I was considering using a water-proofing product similar to the spray-on products sold in outdoor shops (used to water-proof tents and clothing) - however, they all seem to warn against using on cotton based products (fine for gortex, polartec etc) - does anyone know if there is a water-proofing product that could be used safely on a coloured hood ?? Has anybody else water-proofed their hood ?? Did it work ??
Jonathan - Elise S1
I use Autoglym hood protector.
Wash the hood first, using hood shampoo, then spray on protector. Works well, water beads on the hood, I've never had a problem with leaks on my S2.
Depending on the nature of the ingress, I doubt any hood protector will prevent leaks at the corners/ edges. This is due to the seal and not the integrity of the hood.
IIRC there are some remedies to improve the seals on the edges through adjustment of the hood and windows. I'm sorry I can't be of any further help but I'm sure someone here should be able to give you some directions.
Regards, Neil
Wash the hood first, using hood shampoo, then spray on protector. Works well, water beads on the hood, I've never had a problem with leaks on my S2.
Depending on the nature of the ingress, I doubt any hood protector will prevent leaks at the corners/ edges. This is due to the seal and not the integrity of the hood.
IIRC there are some remedies to improve the seals on the edges through adjustment of the hood and windows. I'm sorry I can't be of any further help but I'm sure someone here should be able to give you some directions.
Regards, Neil
I dont think your alone having a leaky lotus my friend 
but you can adjust the windows to meet the hard top/soft top. Try here..
www.elise-faq.info/content/windows/index.php
but you can adjust the windows to meet the hard top/soft top. Try here.. www.elise-faq.info/content/windows/index.php
You will almost certainly find that it's not the waterproofing of the hood fabric thats at fault.
The leak you describe is usually down to the poor design of the junction between hood, cant rail and windscreen. There is a piece of foam attached to the cant rail which you must be careful not to trap (see the section in the owner's handbook for details).Even if you do it right, the odd drip still seems to get through, though, particularly as the car ages and the foam gets 'tired'.
The leak you describe is usually down to the poor design of the junction between hood, cant rail and windscreen. There is a piece of foam attached to the cant rail which you must be careful not to trap (see the section in the owner's handbook for details).Even if you do it right, the odd drip still seems to get through, though, particularly as the car ages and the foam gets 'tired'.
Thanks for all the helpful tips - I'll treat the hood with Autoglym anyway, and I'll have a go at adjusting the side windows height too - I've used a shower cap when the car is parked up, and it has worked really well (except for when it's really windy as well as raining) - the nappies idea I'll hold in reserve in case I'm still getting wet !! 
Jonathan (Elise S1)
Jonathan (Elise S1)
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff