650S: Project Kermit
Discussion
We are nearing the end of ‘Project: Kermit’, my pet name for dealing with the few issues found when I purchased the Mantis Green 650S earlier this year. Jack Webb Motorsport have finished doing their mechanical stuff. It’s now at Project Customs to have both front wheel arches repaired and repainted. Both were experiencing paint bubbling. Once paint is complete, it is off to Riverside Detailing for a thorough internal and external cleanup and polish.
Here’s some photos of it at Project Customs. It is clear to see what is the causation of the paint bubbling.
Here’s some photos of it at Project Customs. It is clear to see what is the causation of the paint bubbling.
Good to see the progress of Kermit 
Painting aluminium body panels is not rocket science in 2026, McLaren seem to have messed up the process at the time but in fairness their process control was strong and this corrosion is remarkably consistent on cars fitted with aluminium front wings
Both my P11 had similar, but are corrected now. The other area is the front edge of the frunk inner pressing near the latch.
Keep up the good work, in the 2027 market, she will be worth strong money with all the corrections complete
Painting aluminium body panels is not rocket science in 2026, McLaren seem to have messed up the process at the time but in fairness their process control was strong and this corrosion is remarkably consistent on cars fitted with aluminium front wings
Both my P11 had similar, but are corrected now. The other area is the front edge of the frunk inner pressing near the latch.
Keep up the good work, in the 2027 market, she will be worth strong money with all the corrections complete
650S said:
Good to see the progress of Kermit
Painting aluminium body panels is not rocket science in 2026, McLaren seem to have messed up the process at the time but in fairness their process control was strong and this corrosion is remarkably consistent on cars fitted with aluminium front wings
Both my P11 had similar, but are corrected now. The other area is the front edge of the frunk inner pressing near the latch.
Keep up the good work, in the 2027 market, she will be worth strong money with all the corrections complete
I just view the corrosion issue as part of McLaren ownership now. Both of my 720S’s had it, and now the 650S. Even a brand new replacement wheel arch (to replace a seriously corroded arch) on a 720S suffered from corrosion. I think EVERY McLaren with aluminium panels will suffer from corrosion at some point - just a question of “when”, not “if”. Inspecting the hidden areas where it starts to form and catching it early is important. If it is ignored and allowed to fester, there’s a significant risk that the panel will be seriously compromised to the point that it cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced.Painting aluminium body panels is not rocket science in 2026, McLaren seem to have messed up the process at the time but in fairness their process control was strong and this corrosion is remarkably consistent on cars fitted with aluminium front wings
Both my P11 had similar, but are corrected now. The other area is the front edge of the frunk inner pressing near the latch.
Keep up the good work, in the 2027 market, she will be worth strong money with all the corrections complete
Looking closely at the picture of the inner edge of the arch - you can see paint bubbling along a significant length of the edge. When fitted, the inner edge is not visible. The corrosion is not apparent until the paint starts to bubble on the outside visible area of the arch - like an iceberg, most of it is below the surface. If owners run their fingers along the hidden edge, I’d be confident that they’d feel a rough area of paint (corrosion beneath surface of paint). BTW, the visible white/powdery corrosion in the picture is after the surface paint had been removed/flicked-off by the repairer. Normally it would be hidden below surface of paint.
The more I research the 650S Spider, the more I’ve come to realise how significant they were/are in the McLaren lineup. Price wise, I think the 650S spider will surpass the 720S coupe, settling below the 720S spider. I just wish I’d fully appreciated the 650S spider before I bought the two 720S coupe’s.
That’s the two front wheel arches repaired, painted and refitted - work done by Project Customs (McLaren approved). Proper panel off repair. Not a tape up, rub down and spray cost-cutting repair.
To be transported next week to Riverside Detailing to remove old PPF and centre stripes, followed by thorough interior and exterior detail.
To be transported next week to Riverside Detailing to remove old PPF and centre stripes, followed by thorough interior and exterior detail.
Looks good, nice panel gaps. It takes a good painter to match a colour without fading into the adjacent panels.
The door mirror to wheel arch panel gap setting is sensitive, not so much gap width, but also how flush the surfaces are - the arc of the door brings the panels quite close and PPF can rub. Don't ask
The door mirror to wheel arch panel gap setting is sensitive, not so much gap width, but also how flush the surfaces are - the arc of the door brings the panels quite close and PPF can rub. Don't ask
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