S1 Headlight Covers-Top tips

[mikeyb13]

Eventually got round to ordering the Eliseparts tape for the Lotus S1 headlamp covers I bought last year.
Seems simple but anyone got any top tips from experience before I start.

[Stewart]

Not sure if you are removing the old ones first or if this is a first application? Old ones come off by taking the headlight out and feeding through some fishing line or the like and using it like a cheese wire to saw away at the bond.

Some people will tell you just to silicon them on but you may wish to avoid that should you ever wish to remove them. There is likely an historical thread about this as I am sure I asked the same question. The key was to buy some gooey bathroom sealant stuff from B&Q - Homelux. It is kind of like black putty that comes in a roll. Just run it all the way round the cover and press into place. It will remain malleable enough for you to place it correctly and then firm up to hold it in place. I believe it is then possible to remove them for future maintenance with a lot less hassle than if you had siliconed them in place.

I used the B&Q stuff on the 135 and it worked well.

Just had a quick search and you can find the previous thread HERE

[mikeyb13]

Cheers Stewart there are currently none on at the moment so no removal required. Got a roll of tape from elise parts to stick them on along with a few other goodies
Thanks for the link That roll of tape looks excactly the same as I have

[campbell]

A roll of mirror / reg plate adhesive foam tape also does the trick and is more removeable than silicon...as I discovered a few years ago!

[mikeyb13]

Might get the wife to put them on my eyesites rubbish.
Could end up looking like a morgan aero

[Stu160]

Just check that the fit correctly first as well, get them in the right place, and mark them with a felt tip pen, so you can easly place them right when the tape is on.
( your brakes will be ready monday)
Stu

[mikeyb13]

Cheers Stu. Still waiting on rear pads to arrive anyway, seemingly on back order.
Actually have a day off tomorow so might get a couple of hours to spend on the car.
Might even drive it.

[ABZ-Elise]

When I first fitted mine I thought they looked a bit stupid with the black tape around them so I took them off and removed the black tape from the outside of the covers. I then found some clear double sided tape, like this stuff http://www.affixit.co.uk/double-sided-t ... tape-p-260

Personally I think it looks better this way.


Only problem was the tape I bought was to wide so I had to cut it so it was a bit narrower. I mucked it up a bit and you can see the width of the tape is uneven around the edge of the cover.

[r055]

I was fitting new headlights today on my Elise and decided to remove the covers too as one was cracked... Need to order some replacements

The black sh1te is everywhere! What's the best thing to get this stuff off without damaging paintwork ? Alcohol?


Edit to add that Stewart's link gives me the info!

[j2 lot]

The black sh1te is everywhere! What's the best thing to get this stuff off without damaging paintwork ? Alcohol?

Alcohol works -more of it you drink the less you will care about how much you fcuk it up