Paint Blisters

[simpo555]

Whilst owning an Elise R reg 2006, I suffered the agony of seeing my pride and joy breaking out in blisters, albeit small but frustrating nevertheless. Now hoping to get back into a 2008/2009 car. Can anyone advise me if this remains an issue whatever the age of the car. Is there a 'cut off point' when this is no longer an issue. I assume that it affects Exige and Elise models. Does it affect all cars or only cars that aren't garaged.

[jock mcsporran]

I've got a 2008 Exige and haven't noticed any blisters.
I've used the car over 2 years and 14k miles and covered temperatures from the heat of a Tuscan summer to -10degC in the winter (sun/rain/snow/etc) so probably most scenarios you would be likely to encounter.

[purpleperil]

Weren't the Exige clams made under a different process/factory to the Elise? Didn't think they suffered the same blistering. I had an MY06 111R from new which required two re-sprays to rectify the problem in the rear clam. Lotus knew what was causing it and advised the body shop to drill weep holes in the clam - never had any more appear for the remaining 4 years of ownership. Would assume that this should have been corrected at factory for post 07 cars?

[zebedee]

didn't know this affected S2 too. On the S1 it was caused apparently by the clams not being fully dried out before painting, leading to microscopic holes in the lacquer, water then gets in and when it freezes and expands, the holes get bigger until big enough for the freezing water to push the paint up. My S1 needs a sand down and respray as a result, any idea on cost for doors and engine cover (the only affected parts) and front clam to clean up the stonechips whilst at it?

[chrispj]

2008 Elise S here. Mine has a few micro-blisters on the front access panels. Nothing on the main clams yet. The car is kept outside in all weathers though.

[smartbear]

I've got a late 2006 Elise & it had blistering on the drivers door (car kept outside) I had the door resprayed for £160 and touch wood they haven't returned.

[CardShark]

smartbear said:

I've got a late 2006 Elise & it had blistering on the drivers door (car kept outside) I had the door resprayed for £160 and touch wood they haven't returned.

I see that you're in Essex, where did you have the work done? Would you recommend them? Got issues with both doors myself...

[smartbear]

I took it to shepherds motors in great baddow (opposite the antiques centre) who I had used for a small clam repair before,
I'm pleased with the job, I had been quoted over a grand for the same work by two different lotus specialists!
Regards

[simpo555]

Does the blistering occur anywhere else than on the top of the doors, close to the wing mirrors?

[purpleperil]

Only around the rear arches on mine.

[andy_s]

simpo555 said:

Does the blistering occur anywhere else than on the top of the doors, close to the wing mirrors?

That's where mine is, MY02 111S. Quoted a few hundred for that and another bit of damage.

[RodHull]

I had blisters on the doors of my Lazer Blue Exige S (06).. It was about 18 months out of warranty, but after getting it inspected at Westover Sports, by a chap from Lotus (Andy French).. All I had to do was drive it back to Hethel.. Worth the drive, as I got a tour of the site just as they were finishing the press Evora's.. And they replaced the doors.. Not respay.. Replaced!! They also lent me an Orange Elise till the work was finished.. Oh spotted Chris Barrie (Arnold Rimmer) who was filming something or other with a nice looking Esprit essex.

It was the old problem of the panels not being dried correctly, but as they replaced both doors out of warranty I can't really moan about it!

BTW.. My black 02 elise didn't blister.. I beleive they had a dodgy run of panels around 2006.

[otolith]

Blisters on my driver's door, early 2005 Elise. I'll get it seen to eventually - I need my "ears" doing as well.

[CardShark]

smartbear said:

I took it to shepherds motors in great baddow (opposite the antiques centre) who I had used for a small clam repair before,
I'm pleased with the job, I had been quoted over a grand for the same work by two different lotus specialists!
Regards

Only a 20min drive or so from mine, will investigate further

[CardShark]

andy_s said:

simpo555 said:

Does the blistering occur anywhere else than on the top of the doors, close to the wing mirrors?

That's where mine is, MY02 111S. Quoted a few hundred for that and another bit of damage.

Along the tops of both doors on mine, a couple of the blisters have popped as well. I also have a small rash of them between each front headlamp and indicator. I was quoted somewhere near £500 just for the doors earlier this year, which was more than I was expecting!

[Beachbum]

My 54 plate 111R has just started to get these on the passenger door, under the wing mirror. Seems to be a consistent issue and location.

Any suggestions of a place to get them done in the Bmth area ?

[otolith]

Is Reading too far? Specialised Paintwork there have a good reputation for Lotus bodywork repairs, though I don't think they're cheap.

[zebedee]

Just noticed my doors have got a lot worse. If anyone has had blisters sorted and a good finish, please share where, what done and how much, and did they come back?!

[F.C.]

Blisters can be encouraged by the use of an out door car cover.
If you leave your car outside don't put a cover on it in cold weather!

[zebedee]

I was thinking that, as that is what I do (did). Also, the cover had lost its waterproofness over they years, so it tended to cling to the car all soggy whereas without the cover the car would have dried off a lot quicker I guess.

Anyhow, I would like to sort it out (doors and engine cover only thankfully) so should I be getting the respray place to put some kind of sealant/lacquer on the back of the panels too, to prevent water ingress from the rear of the panel? What is the current thinking of 'curing' at 40 degrees versus sitting them in wind 'tunnel' to get the moisture out? Or is it inevitably going to come back?