paint bubles

[madderdog]

Has any one had paint blisters?

Running a 2001 s2. on the rear clam shell i have developed little bubbles on the paint surface. they look like little blisters or the pimples you would get from rust. they seem to have spread or grown or that may be paranoia.

Anyone had anything similar or think what caused it?

[Davey S2]

Common problem. I have a few on my Exige and its only a year old!

Can only see it if you are looking closely so cant be bothered to do much about it.

[purpleperil]

Looks like a common problem on 'plastic' cars - my last two have had this. Current one in for remedial work.

[gooby]

I have had some problems with this. The clams have to be "de-gassed" before painting. They are heated in an oven for an extended period. This releases the gasses from the adhesives used in manufacture.

Sometime they are not de-gassed properly and you get bubbles.

[sp60]

Hey, this is good info.
The car I looked at last week had some of these and I assumed it to
be as a result from repairwork. Nice to hear it's normal. What's the
best way to resolve it then, or is it just a leave it be thing?
Do they get worse with time?

[b3ast]

My 03 VX turbo is in at the moment after bubbles appearing on both rear and front clam's. (im assuming they do the paint the same) They are replacing both the clams and doing a full re-spray (all under warranty). Apparently this is a common problem mine is the 3rd VX the dealer has sent back to the factory for the same work. The dealer told me that in the past they have drilled out the bubbles and re worked the body however this didn’t stop other bubbles appearing only fixed the ones that had come out so far. So far I have been without the VX for 4 weeks – they advised it could take up to 2 months to complete the work.

[gooby]

The "de-Gassing" process has been adopted by Westover to stopn these problems. As far as I am aware, they are the only ones who have got clam prep to a problem free process.

I was told that Lotus dont do this process hence the number of problems. The lotus official line is "there are no paint problems" or as Beachbum found out, it has to be such a large problem that the paint can be pulled off with a finger nail. Westover are still trying to get me some sort of "credit" as I paid to have the front of my clam resprayed.

[S Works]

Interesting thread, a topic I disgussed with a fibreglass specialist who came along to one of our Kent meets last month.

He explained that very often (as gooby has said) the fibreglass preparation is not done properly and thus the clam doesn't settle before painting. His explanation was quite technical but very interesting. Wish I could recall more.

What I do know is that I'm lucky in that he's nearby so if I ever need a spray he's the guy I'd go to. Does TVR, Lotus and all sorts. Very nice bloke too.

[madderdog]

interesting. so in summary if i can live with it it may or may not get worse. To do something about it i need to get it sprayed which may not finally cure it unless i get it de gassed and sprayed! And there's no chance of Lotus admiting this is a manufacturing flaw!

[gooby]

Interestingly after the body parts have been assembled for for a car the paint shop have 22 mins to prep, fill paint guns paint then laquer then clean guns and inspect the body panels!

[S Works]

FFS, it's a car manufacturers not a flipping MacDonalds kitchen. No wonder they're screwing it up.