…and I won’t see it for another 4 weeks!!
Then it is off to have the SC fitted - so gawd knows when I will get to drive it next?! I hope we have some decent weather left this year by the time I get it back!!
Recently had mine sprayed and it was gone for about four weeks - I was amazed how much I missed it while it was gone - I stood in my empty garage pining for it 
Well worth it when I got it back though as it looks stunning again, even though I had it done in the original colour (New Aluminium). I then had Ventureshield paint protection film added to hopefully keep it looking nice (chip free) into the future - not cheap, but I would recommend it.
Are you having yours done in the original colour or going for a change?
Neal.
4 weeks?!?!? Pah, I DREAM of being without my car for 4 weeks! 
[quote=NealH]Recently had mine sprayed and it was gone for about four weeks - I was amazed how much I missed it while it was gone - I stood in my empty garage pining for it Well worth it when I got it back though as it looks stunning again, even though I had it done in the original colour (New Aluminium). I then had Ventureshield paint protection film added to hopefully keep it looking nice (chip free) into the future - not cheap, but I would recommend it.
Are you having yours done in the original colour or going for a change?
Neal. [/quote]
Me too - keep looking in the garage… how sad is that?!
Keeping the same colour, Quartz Metallic - going for full re-spray (outside) . I also want to have Ventureshield film put on - which parts did you have covered, and do you mind telling me how much?
4 weeks?!?!? Pah, I DREAM of being without my car for 4 weeks! [/quote]
How long has your car been off the road now?
When it is finished it will be better than new!!!
I had mine done here http://www.paintgard.co.uk/ They are based down near Portsmouth. I would highly recommend him - very professional.
There is an S1 Exige kit. The front kit costs �399 and covers the nose (up to about mid-headlight level), the splitter and the front access panel. There is then an options kit which covers the side sills and up the rear wheel arches, this cost another �100. The chipping on mine was much worse on the sills and rear arches than it was on the nose so I viewed this bit as fairly essential.
It took him about 4 hours to fit it all but he is very thorough with tremendous attention to detail. He did mine at his work shop, but he will travel as long as you have a suitable indoor location for him to work in, like a double garage.
I am very satisfied with the end result, the only line you can really see is the one that runs across between the headlights but even this disappears from a few feet away. It’s worth it for the extra protection it provides in my opinion.
Neal.
So �500 all in - makes sense to have this done, especially after a full respray.
How long did you wait after the car was sprayed - IIRC you have to wait for the paint to cure before putting it on - otherwise when you take it off in the future, it will take the paint off…?
I take that fact that he will travel, means that he doesn’t need the car overnight? Someone mentioned that certain companies applying the film like to keep the car longer to check the car film doesn’t lift overnight.
4 weeks?!?!? Pah, I DREAM of being without my car for 4 weeks! [/quote]
How long has your car been off the road now?
When it is finished it will be better than new!!! [/quote]
About 18 months and counting… 
Mine was done about two weeks after the respray. I had originally intended to get it done one week afterwards but had to cancel on him first time round due to some minor car problems! I spoke to the bodyshop about it and they said leave it a week to be sure but that basically the paint was fine from the time I got the car back.
The worst part was that I was paranoid about driving it between the respray and the film fitment
I drove it away after he had finished. He mentioned about what to do about lifting or if any bubbles formed, but neither has happened. He was meticulous about the application.
Neal.
Neal, I presume you had the ventureshield put on first, then the stickers and stone protector on rear arch, on top?
Also, WHY YOU SELLING YOUR CAR!!!
[quote=MarkH]Neal, I presume you had the ventureshield put on first, then the stickers and stone protector on rear arch, on top?
Also, WHY YOU SELLING YOUR CAR!!! [/quote]
He cut the film around the stone protector on the rear arch. There aren’t any stickers to get in the way. The ‘Exige’ script is on the doors and the Ventureshield only covers the sills.
Why am I selling - well, I need the money! I can’t be without a motorized toy though, so plan to spend �5k or �6k of it on a motorbike (I have owned bikes in the past).
Neal.
I am going to put the stone protector on top of the Ventureshield, also going to have the doors done, as they seem to suffer from stone chips too.
Sorry to hear you have to sell, but I am sure you will enjoy the bike - good luck.
A few pics the bodyshop sent me:
Really looking forward to getting the car back!!!
At their last sale LOTUS had some stone protector film kits for �25.oo each. Fairly basic but covers the important bitss of the front clam.
Try their factory site for sale items
Thanks for the heads up. But, I am going to have the full paint protection film installed by the guy Neil recommended.
I used one of these kits, but because they had been on the shelf a number of years the film wrinkled when applied.
I contacted the original manufacturer and they said the film has a shelf life of a couple of years - but they supplied these kits to Lotus when the S1 Exige was current!!
�50 wasted for me!
Alski