Rob-W Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Hi, I’ve recently noticed a few bubbles have appeared in the paintwork on my 2015 Exige S (see photos). From what I’ve read on other posts/forums, it’s caused by moisture escaping from the fibreglass (please correct me if I’m wrong). It sounds like respraying the affected panel/s is the only solution? Can anyone recommend somewhere I could get this done that have experience with Lotus cars? I’m based in the Nottinghamshire so somewhere in the midlands would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Man, that's not got and not really expected at these locations.. Was it resprayed before?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-W Posted January 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 I bought the car private but as far as I’m aware it’s never been resprayed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncx Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Yes that certainly looks like water under the paint, commonly known as osmosis damage, even though in a technical sense the word is misleading in some cases. As you say the only solution is to respray the affected area although be warned - correct preparation is absolutely critical to ensure that it doesn't return. You must use someone who knows exactly what they are doing with fibreglass. I'll ask a mate of mine (and get back to you), he knows of a top place who could sort it. However, if you just leave it alone the bubbling will likely improve a bit in summertime. VOE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick101 Posted January 18, 2021 Report Share Posted January 18, 2021 Ahh interesting. Spotted a few bumps on my new purchase. Had assumed dirt had got in whilst painting. Was going to contact the previous owner to ask if it was original paint or had been respayed. Saved me a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM C8RKH Posted January 18, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 18, 2021 What's the paint warranty on a Lotus car? 3, 5 or 7 years? 1 Quote I came into this world screaming and covered in someone elses blood. I'll probably leave it in the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted January 19, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 It’s a consumable 😶 1 Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM C8RKH Posted January 19, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 12 hours ago, Barrykearley said: It’s a consumable 😶 Oh, so out of stock then and on a 3 year back order? Or is that just the essential bits? 1 Quote I came into this world screaming and covered in someone elses blood. I'll probably leave it in the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark030358 Posted January 19, 2021 Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 On 18/01/2021 at 10:42, C8RKH said: What's the paint warranty on a Lotus car? 3, 5 or 7 years? Lotus gives a 3 year warranty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM C8RKH Posted January 20, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 No idea on age of car so if under 3 years I'd assume this would be covered by the paint warranty? Seems not unreasonable to me. Quote I came into this world screaming and covered in someone elses blood. I'll probably leave it in the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-W Posted January 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 The car is a 2015 is well out of any warranty. It’s frustrating though as I really wouldn’t expect any modern car to have paint issues at this age/mileage. I spoke to a fibreglass today who’s going to take a look at it. He did mention that it’s a common problem as also said he’d had a 8 month old Evora in once with the same issue. Apparently Lotus wouldn’t cover it under warranty 😳🤦🏻♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM C8RKH Posted January 20, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 I'd have loved to hear the justification as to why not and not sure it would stand up in court. I'd have rejected the vehicle and handed back the keys as any court would agree that a factory finish paint should be more durable than 8 months and you could easily argue the defects were there from manufacture. Hopefully moving forwards Lotus will fix the issue. Thankfully, so far, not an issue on either of my Evoras. I do have some bubbling on the VX, but that's a 20 year old car so can't complain. Quote I came into this world screaming and covered in someone elses blood. I'll probably leave it in the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted January 20, 2021 Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 Normally you could find this at places which keep moist. Also on boats but it has to do with the quality of paint (protection) at this age.. My Elise had it near the mirror on the door which is a commenly known area for that car, the car was already like 14 years or so. You've bought the car private and I just bet the previous owner knows more... Not sure about your legal rights as per your location but I can't imagine this comes on a 5 year old car from 'nowadays' at that place.. If it's there now, and I hate to say it......, but I'll be unsure as to where it will be more next year around this time. Hope you figure it out.. I just noticed the line around your blinker also has multiple bubbles. It really seems to me a bad paint job/ epoxy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted January 21, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 It does make me somewhat suspicious that the car has been painted elsewhere, If that is lotus original - I do hope geely sort this out in the future. Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 Lotus have a very low number of paintwork warranty claims before everyone turns up with flaming torches and pitchforks! 2 Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jep Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 Paint on my 20+ year old Lotus x3 is still superb. Excel from 1986 mainly original paint and is exceptional. Evora 2010 has some blemishes - roof in the main. It has been painted post-factory by a previous owner but assume it had an issue and hence was repainted. Minor paint defect by the passenger door handle, so small I did not notice it for 2 years. A pal has a Porka Targa 2016 - paintwork is not great. Lots of minor defects. I bet our everyday wagons or less cherished runarounds have factory blemishes but we perhaps don't analyse those so closely. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 That's an odd place for it, it normally happens on horizontal surfaces. I know you shouldn't need to but if you keep the car garaged and dry this won't get worst. With my 30 year old Esprit I never took it out in the rain and used a dehumidifier in the garage, so never had this issue. Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jep Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 In my experience, it is dampness that can ruin fibreglass paintwork. Pure wet (IE. rain) and even living outdoors (but the car being used often) I have not experienced paint issues. I once left a very shiny Europa (type 74) in a damp garage for too long. Small bubbles appeared all over the paintwork. Of course, it is the luck of the draw. A few paint flaws don't worry me on a Lotus; it is not as if the body will be rotting underneath. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted January 26, 2021 Report Share Posted January 26, 2021 When moist is in the fiberglass like this it definitely can get worse. It's never a good thing if it's there... I'd get rid of it imho.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-W Posted March 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Thanks for everyone’s responses. After doing some research on good paint shops specialising in FG, I took the car to option 1 sports cars in Bromsgrove. I picked the car up today and and they’ve done what looks like a good job and a very good paint match. They said it was an unusual place to get the blisters and they most commonly appear on the doors. They did warn me though that these micro blisters can re-appear at other areas on the panel so they don't guarantee they won’t re-appear. Fingers crossed they don’t 🤞🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Ashley Posted May 2, 2021 Report Share Posted May 2, 2021 As highlighted on JayEmm's recent video, my Evora is suffering from some osmosis on one side. Unfortunately I only noticed it days before the shoot, it seems to have happened quite quickly. Has anyone used Allon White for this kind of repair job? They’re my local specialist, but Option 1 sounds a safe bet from the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted May 2, 2021 Report Share Posted May 2, 2021 The Beaconsfield Workshop are local to you and are fibreglass masters, very experienced with Lotus cars. Call Dave Redrup there, tell them you're a TLFer and they'll look after you very well 1 Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Ashley Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 Thanks Bibs, will check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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