bed liner maybe? how to finish front luggage area

[teigan]

the area below the brake and clutch cylinders has worn away, both from the jack rattling around and chemical spillage. this area should have been finished with function in mind. a moulded polyethylene liner would have been ideal. has anyone found a simple retrofit compromise?

[fflyingdog]

Just how do you work out that either brake or clutch fluid has 'eaten' away your fibre glass ? As a retrofit try not spilling any........as for the jack either take it out or secure it properly i think Lotus kindly supplied instructions on how to do this difficult task.


>> Edited by fflyingdog on Monday 6th March 12:35

[deecee]

I haven't tried it myself, but I always wondered how one of those Do It Yourself Liquid Truck Bedliner Kits would work out...

[Autocross7]

I cleaned the area really well with simple green and then water on a sponge. Then put down some black paint I found at the local hardware store that stated "Chemical resistant" on the can. Looked good and seems to be holding up well... looks pretty original. I put a cotton rag folded there now because it fits there... I use it to wipe everything under the bonnet off from time to time. Also, if things were leaking the rag would be a quik indicator...

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[arium]

So, you're thinking of something like rhino liner or a poly condom for the front of your car? Personally I've never had anything leak at a rate that ate away the finish of my car.

A huge precaution about a 'bed liner' polyethylene insert is that these puppies do indeed rub. Take a look at any pickup truck with one. The paint is worn away underneath and moisture is trapped. Rust is your new friend to shake hands with.

I'd suggest repairing the compromised area and leave it at that. Anything rattling loose needs to be secured and anything leaking like hydraulic fluid should have been dealt with immediately before it nibbled through your gel coat.

Steve

[teigan]

the original black paint is flaking off in postage stamp sized pieces, right down to the beige of the fiberglas. to a lesser extent it's also happening where the spare tyre inserts. i'm guessing it'll all pull up clean and easily. i'll look for that chemically resistant paint, and use it as a primer whatever else i do.