In the world of car detailing and protection, the Lotus Emira presents a unique challenge. We've seen an Emira straight out of the factory, and the paintwork was soft—soft to the point that we knew it would need Paint Protection Film (PPF) else damage would occur quite quickly. When we say soft, we mean that a simple rub with a cloth was enough to mark the lacquer.
The Lotus Emira in this case study has just 2,000 miles under its belt and the findings were quite revealing and unfortunately, not in a good way.
Read on to explore what we did to help preserve the paintwork of this fantastic-looking car.
Introduction
Key Takeaways - What We Did.
Multi-stage machine polish over several days.
XPEL Ultimate Plus PPF to every painted panel.
Gtechniq Halo ceramic coating to all PPF.
Black badges to the car & wheel huds for a stealth look.
Wheels coated with Gtechniq C5 wheel armour.
Initial Assessment
The Emira's paintwork showed significant wear, unusual for a car with such low mileage. The softness of the paint meant that even minimal contact left marks, highlighting the need for professional protection to preserve the car's appearance.
Take a look at the photos below and note the swirl marks. The photos clearly show the difference between where we've completed paint correction and where we have not. Remember, this is just 2,000 miles worth of wear & tear.
Detailing Process
The team dedicated several days of machine polishing to remove the existing swirl marks and scratches. This preparatory work was essential for the next step: applying XPEL Ultimate Plus PPF across the entire bodywork. This decision wasn't made lightly; however, it was the only way to ensure the paintwork was absolutely perfect before being sealed by the PPF and ceramic coating which came later.
Paint Protection Film Installation
Once we were happy that the paintwork was perfect, the Emira was left in our climate-controlled detailing bay overnight, ready for the installation of XPEL Ultimate Plus paint protection film to start the following day.
A small but very important detail. If you look at the photo below, you'll see we've left ourselves a slight excess of material on the right side of the door. We do this as we will always fold the film around edges where possible.
We've started this process on the top right of the door, and then as we work the film into place, we'll continue wrapping the film around the edges. The advantage for you as a customer is that there is no visible edge of the film. No edge in sight and no edge which will pick up dirt and become highly visible over the years to come.
This is just a tiny part of the reason why we believe we offer a higher level of finish. We do go the extra mile, even if it means our job is harder and takes longer. However, the sense of satisfaction in knowing and seeing the end result is very much worth it in our pursuit of perfection.
Front area. Film not aligned, these next two photos show the level of complexity which we are able to cover with XPEL Ultimate Plus PPF.
As Bristol's only XPEL and Gtechniq certified installers, we're able to offer a 10-year guarantee on our PPF work backed up by XPEL themselves.
Ceramic Coating for Added Protection
We didn't stop at PPF. We also applied Gtechniq Halo ceramic coating over the film, enhancing the car's water repellency and durability against environmental factors. In simple terms, the addition of the ceramic coating provides a secondary protective barrier and also makes washing the vehicle so much easier.
The hydrophobic nature of ceramic coatings repels water. This is superb when you're washing your vehicle as the water is 'pushed' away by the ceramic coating, taking the spoils in the water with it. Drying also becomes a lot quicker and helps ensure a streak-free finish.
We offer a variety of ceramic coatings all the way up to Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra with its incredible 9-year guarantee. The specialist nature of this paint protection means it can only be applied by a Gtechniq Accredited Detailer, and with Autotrilogy proudly holding that certification, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
The wheels on the Emira were removed. We then extensively cleaned the hubs, wheels, and associated areas before we applied Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour. This makes the wheels significantly easier to clean as brake dust and dirt buildup are a breeze to remove.
It's the Little Things Which Count.
The customer also opted for aesthetic upgrades, including black badges and wheel hubs for a sleeker look.
Conclusion
This project underscores the importance of professional PPF application, especially for cars with vulnerable paintwork like the Lotus Emira. Our approach demonstrates how thorough detailing and protective measures can preserve a vehicle's aesthetic appeal and structural integrity over time.
With a 10-year warranty, the upkeep of this vehicle is simple and will not show signs of age, or scratching from washing techniques as the film will take all of the abuse.
If you would like a quote for any of our car detailing, ceramic coating or paint protection services, please don't hesitate to call us.