Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I suspect that this may have been raised before but I could not find it anywhere - so here goes.

I have recently repainted my wheels with Simoniz Five Wheel Spray bought from Halfords. I have used it before to good effect but they seem to have changed the formulation and my wheels have turned out grey.

I have now bought some Wurth Silver Laquer Spray Special and the results are as below. This photo was taken in my barn with lowish light and no flash. The difference is amazing. I am so pleased and this may stop somone making the same error.

PS - bought through Amazon from MTW Direct. Very fast service.

They look great. Reminded me, in a previous life as a detailer I used to use silver engine enamel followed by clear laquer on wheels. Cheap, and gives that beautiful translucent look. And so easy to re-do.

Robert

bast0n wrote: I have recently repainted my wheels with Simoniz Five Wheel Spray bought from Halfords. I have used it before to good effect but they seem to have changed the formulation and my wheels have turned out grey.

Excellent. I really like the look of 'em...almost like a brushed stainless finish. I wonder if it would do equally well on fibreglass...bumpers f'rinstance

Cheers - Richard

Hi

I believe Rustoleum Hard Hat #2115 Aluminium is a close match if you want them to look original?

Jason

I have always thought they were originally a darker silver color than the wheel on the right on the top photo. Indeed I had my wheels re-painted a darker shade to "correct" the Krylon rattle-can silver that my wheels wore when I purchased the car.
But I realize now that I don't have any memory of what Lotus wheels looked like when they were new, I just think they should look like the painted wire wheel on Triumphs and MGs of the era. So what is correct? (Not that I am unhappy with my darker silver wheels)

PanoGuy wrote:I have always thought they were originally a darker silver color than the wheel on the right on the top photo. Indeed I had my wheels re-painted a darker shade to "correct" the Krylon rattle-can silver that my wheels wore when I purchased the car.
But I realize now that I don't have any memory of what Lotus wheels looked like when they were new, I just think they should look like the painted wire wheel on Triumphs and MGs of the era. So what is correct? (Not that I am unhappy with my darker silver wheels)

The Elans that the folks in the U.S. received were assembled at the Lotus plant down in Kentucky, they were total different than anything that the guys in the domestic market received. I brought a wheel to my friend that paints and he said "argent silver" without batting an eye. I don't have a clue on whats correct and this forum only add confusion to any and all topics. So paint the car or any of the parts what ever colo(u)r that makes you happy and lets all get out and enjoy the drive. My memory sucks and so does everyone else's.

The S4 wheels look about as bright as the ones on the right, the others don't


Gary

Yes - I think my new paint may be a bit bright but below is my first Elan, brand new in '66 and it looks pretty bright in the wheel department. The problem with the 5 wheel spray cans that it came out dullish grey and did not look right at all.

http://www.google.com/images?q=argent+s ... sult_group

Argent Silver


I am not saying "wrong" or right, just saying the definitive attitude needs to be tempered. Mine needs to be also. This forum is heading down the "I'm right, god and Ron are on my shoulder" rat hole and I would like to see more info and less cow dropping statements. The rattle can that Lotus bought down the street because they were out of what ever other rattle can really doesn't matter much to me. I just want to build and drive and offer what I see to others. I don't want to be right, I just want to drive.

Here is a group of period factory shots for the Sprint brochure. This car was a Series 4 converted to Sprint at the factory before delivery, which is why it is wearing the silver wheels and not the production black wheels.

It might help to give some further perspective on what was then the factory shade of silver for the wheels.

Tim

trw99 wrote: It might help to give some further perspective on what was then the factory shade of silver for the wheels.
Tim

Tim,

Which factory? Paint specified by Lotus but applied by Rubery Owen?

I don't think R.O. would have been in the business of "popping out for some spray cans". Or were they supplied in primer (or unprotected ) for Lotus to finish? Not what I would have expected.

Cheers - Richard

piss-ant wrote:The Elans that the folks in the U.S. received were assembled at the Lotus plant down in Kentucky, they were total different than anything that the guys in the domestic market received.

Is this where they stocked the bandaids to cover scratches in fascia panels?

piss-ant wrote:I am not saying "wrong" or right, just saying the definitive attitude needs to be tempered. Mine needs to be also. This forum is heading down the "I'm right, god and Ron are on my shoulder" rat hole and I would like to see more info and less cow dropping statements. The rattle can that Lotus bought down the street because they were out of what ever other rattle can really doesn't matter much to me. I just want to build and drive and offer what I see to others. I don't want to be right, I just want to drive.

Hurrah! Gary's back!

I'm glad the friendly bloke pretending to be him has gone

It is so good to get a kicking from Gary again!! I have missed him.................

I have done the wheels now and am very pleased with the Wurth silver paint - not too bright and the dreaded grey - gray for Gary - has gone for ever.

nebogipfel wrote:

piss-ant wrote:I am not saying "wrong" or right, just saying the definitive attitude needs to be tempered. Mine needs to be also. This forum is heading down the "I'm right, god and Ron are on my shoulder" rat hole and I would like to see more info and less cow dropping statements. The rattle can that Lotus bought down the street because they were out of what ever other rattle can really doesn't matter much to me. I just want to build and drive and offer what I see to others. I don't want to be right, I just want to drive.

Hurrah! Gary's back!

I'm glad the friendly bloke pretending to be him has gone

bast0n wrote:It is so good to get a kicking from Gary again!! I have missed him.................

I have done the wheels now and am very pleased with the Wurth silver paint - not too bright and the dreaded grey - gray for Gary - has gone for ever.

Spot wheels.01 002.JPG

Aw shucks, so nice to be loved.

Loved? Don't push it