Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[Gooner]

As someone interested in buying an Emira I called recently to my nearest dealer in the UK. The salesman raised the issue of paint blistering (I was unaware at the time) and explained that the cause was due to the use of panel wipe cleaner before paint was applied. Is this the generally accepted view?

Never heard this before and would be VERY surprised if it was the cause……..

 

[Man.v.Cars]

As someone interested in buying an Emira I called recently to my nearest dealer in the UK. The salesman raised the issue of paint blistering (I was unaware at the time) and explained that the cause was due to the use of panel wipe cleaner before paint was applied. Is this the generally accepted view?

There doesn't appear to be a definitive answer so far, I was told by the dealership paintshop manager it was likely the applied treatment to the composite panels before primer was applied. Water ingress into the panel from the inside has also been highlighted, the same treatment could be at fault due to a change in colour of the treatment on the inside of newer doors.

If looking for used ensure all recalls have been carried out eg A pillar airbag fasteners, HVAC cover fitted, seatbelts replaced, wiper motors replaced, oil pipes checked for secure fit, brake pads renewed if rust rings show on the discs. Additional problems mine has had/having main screen not working (wires cut when the dash was installed), reversing camera replaced, taillight replaced, irratic startup and idling, difficulty getting into reverse. The paint problem affects early build models, up to mid 2023 I believe, but includes both doors, rear tailgate and both rear quarters, all the same composite material.

I suspect owners who have had all the problems fixed will be able to ask a slight premium as the car will not spend much time at the dealers.

 

[Y Cymro]

There doesn't appear to be a definitive answer so far, I was told by the dealership paintshop manager it was likely the applied treatment to the composite panels before primer was applied. Water ingress into the panel from the inside has also been highlighted, the same treatment could be at fault due to a change in colour of the treatment on the inside of newer doors.

If looking for used ensure all recalls have been carried out eg A pillar airbag fasteners, HVAC cover fitted, seatbelts replaced, wiper motors replaced, oil pipes checked for secure fit, brake pads renewed if rust rings show on the discs. Additional problems mine has had/having main screen not working (wires cut when the dash was installed), reversing camera replaced, taillight replaced, irratic startup and idling, difficulty getting into reverse. The paint problem affects early build models, up to mid 2023 I believe, but includes both doors, rear tailgate and both rear quarters, all the same composite material.

I suspect owners who have had all the problems fixed will be able to ask a slight premium as the car will not spend much time at the dealers.

That’s very helpful - thanks

 

[Man.v.Cars]

That’s very helpful - thanks

Are you looking at new or 'used'?

 

[Y Cymro]

Probably used - a 2023/4, low mileage V6 manual. But I was very impressed with the torque and acceleration of the 2l version so I’m not finding the decision easy. And there’s always the thought of a used V10 Audi R8 in mind.

 

[Rupes]

As someone interested in buying an Emira I called recently to my nearest dealer in the UK. The salesman raised the issue of paint blistering (I was unaware at the time) and explained that the cause was due to the use of panel wipe cleaner before paint was applied. Is this the generally accepted view?

Unfortunately, there is no generally accepted view, or even confirmation that a design change was made to new panels. There is, however, lots of speculation/unofficial commentary.

If Lotus were to admit a problem, then a recall would be likely on thousands of cars, which, they're not real eager to do. My thought from spending quite a bit of time on this issue is that an update was made on affected panels in the middle of 2023, but again, this is just my conclusion (and probably wishful thinking too).

 

[HethelYellow]

Anyone comsidered a preventative appoach to this? My car is an early one - Delivery December 2022 and used as a daily drive and I do not have any paint blisters (tempts fate). My car is Hethel Yellow. As I would rather not have my car re-painted if the blisters do arise would a solution be to proactively treat the inside of the doors with something? Not sure how feasible this would be in terms of dismantling the doors etc but possibly achievable?

 

[Nick in Sydney]

Anyone comsidered a preventative appoach to this? My car is an early one - Delivery December 2022 and used as a daily drive and I do not have any paint blisters (tempts fate). My car is Hethel Yellow. As I would rather not have my car re-painted if the blisters do arise would a solution be to proactively treat the inside of the doors with something? Not sure how feasible this would be in terms of dismantling the doors etc but possibly achievable?

I wondered about this too. If the root cause is inadequate sealing on the unpainted side of the panels, then I suppose in theory you could remove them, spray the back with some kind of waterproofing, and reattach. It wouldn't be a cheap job.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Anyone comsidered a preventative appoach to this? My car is an early one - Delivery December 2022 and used as a daily drive and I do not have any paint blisters (tempts fate). My car is Hethel Yellow. As I would rather not have my car re-painted if the blisters do arise would a solution be to proactively treat the inside of the doors with something? Not sure how feasible this would be in terms of dismantling the doors etc but possibly achievable?

Where mine will be being done they said that the general consensus was the treatment before primer was added was the issue. So sealing the inside wouldn't solve the outside of the panels, don't forget it's affecting all the composite panels ie doors, rear 1/4s and rear hatch.

Owners have said the new doors have a different coloured sealant coat on the inside, white not black.

 

[Rupes]

Owners have said the new doors have a different coloured sealant coat on the inside, white not black.

I haven’t actually seen any proof of this - has anyone?

I want to believe, but would be awesome to see some comparisons.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

I haven’t actually seen any proof of this - has anyone?

I want to believe, but would be awesome to see some comparisons.

I'm sure there are some pics on one of the threads here showing the different colours inside the drain holes.

 

[shin73]

Unfortunately I am now an official member of the paint blistering club. Delivery July 2024, Nimbus. Have bubbles on both driver and passenger side doors.

 

[freefall_junkie]

Unfortunately I am now an official member of the paint blistering club. Delivery July 2024, Nimbus. Have bubbles on both driver and passenger side doors.

Sorry to hear about this on such a recent delivery. Do you know when your car was manufactured? It was reported earlier in this thread that Lotus were supposed to have fixed this issue for cars built from mid 2023.

 

[seriously]

Based on what we know I don’t think aftermarket prevention is an option.

I think minimizing water or humidity exposure is your best bet.

That said I went canyon carving last few days and I love this car.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Unfortunately I am now an official member of the paint blistering club. Delivery July 2024, Nimbus. Have bubbles on both driver and passenger side doors.

So they haven't sorted the problem out. My honest opinion, try to get your money back and get something else. Lotus just laid off another 200 people and are 'restructuring', never a good sign for a company.

If they go under there is no warranty for anyone, worrying when there are so many faults occurring withe the model.

 

[shin73]

Sorry to hear about this on such a recent delivery. Do you know when your car was manufactured? It was reported earlier in this thread that Lotus were supposed to have fixed this issue for cars built from mid 2023.

Have no idea of the manufacture date. I don’t think the Japan cars have a sticker indicating like the other markets (or maybe I haven’t looked hard enough to find it). Could possibly be a 2023 make as I think the majority of cars were already shipped to Japan summer of 23 but PDI capacity was limited to 1 car/day, who knows, car could have been sitting outside for over a year waiting inspection.

Dealer has come back that they will repaint under warranty, however reading over the thread I guess the repaint won’t be a permanent fix and so need to go in and discuss next steps a little more in detail.

 

[Nick Sticks]

Where mine will be being done they said that the general consensus was the treatment before primer was added was the issue. So sealing the inside wouldn't solve the outside of the panels, don't forget it's affecting all the composite panels ie doors, rear 1/4s and rear hatch.

Owners have said the new doors have a different coloured sealant coat on the inside, white not black.

It's the other way around, new doors have a dark black/blue primer.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Have no idea of the manufacture date. I don’t think the Japan cars have a sticker indicating like the other markets (or maybe I haven’t looked hard enough to find it). Could possibly be a 2023 make as I think the majority of cars were already shipped to Japan summer of 23 but PDI capacity was limited to 1 car/day, who knows, car could have been sitting outside for over a year waiting inspection.

Dealer has come back that they will repaint under warranty, however reading over the thread I guess the repaint won’t be a permanent fix and so need to go in and discuss next steps a little more in detail.

Door replacement is supposedly the only permanent fix, under warranty of course.

 

[Nellie]

It's the other way around, new doors have a dark black/blue primer.

just had my doors replaced through warranty due to the dreaded blisters on each side.

Had an interesting chat with the service manager who said that there was no treatment internally on the earlier cars (Mine was Jan/Feb 23 build) but the new panels now all come treated/painted internally, I assume that Lotus now believe this to be a contributing factor.

 

[AlienPie]

My Car went in yesterday to get the blisters sorted. I originally took it in because of the trim alignment on the passenger door, and it was Lotus who spotted the blisters and informed me they'd fix them free of charge. To this day, I still haven't spotted them, so gotta say that I was pretty impressed by this, as they must be on the internal painted surfaces somewhere.

Two new doors shipped to the Lotus approved body shop here.