Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[Speedluvver]

Touch up paint would be a build up of paint to cover up a chip. In order to remove that paint, you'd need to sand it. Scratch X is a very mild polish, so it's hard to imagine it removing paint unless you were using it with something super abrasive.
When you say "it's gone" what exactly do you mean? The paint is gone and you're left with a chip? Realize that if a blister pops, it will look similar to a chip because it's the paint separating from the panel underneath. The blisters seem to come in multiples.

As in - Its almost impossible to see where it was now - so either I flattened the blister and now I have a hole which is so small I can't really see it, or it was a touch up where the paint was soft, and I flattened it... I guess I need to wait to see if anything horrible appears

 

[seriously]

As in - Its almost impossible to see where it was now - so either I flattened the blister and now I have a hole which is so small I can't really see it, or it was a touch up where the paint was soft, and I flattened it... I guess I need to wait to see if anything horrible appears

Begs a retarded question. Is it better to pop these blisters and apply a bit of clear coat on top? Perhaps unnoticeable and better than repainting multiple panels. In the future this tiny hole would be a release value for moisture build up. Sounds dumb but the fix also sounds like a pain.

 

[Magma]

Begs a retarded question. Is it better to pop these blisters and apply a bit of clear coat on top? Perhaps unnoticeable and better than repainting multiple panels. In the future this tiny hole would be a release value for moisture build up. Sounds dumb but the fix also sounds like a pain.

The problem is that these bubbles are coming up from the actual door material all the way thru all paint layers (base coat, color coat,and clear). So the paint is actually separated from the door material. This will eventually lead to an issue with flaking and the bubbles will get larger over time as paint chips off, moisture gets in there, rubbing as you wash and dry, etc.

Yes, in theory you could pop them and put clear over them, but it's just a bandaid.

 

[Magma]

As in - Its almost impossible to see where it was now - so either I flattened the blister and now I have a hole which is so small I can't really see it, or it was a touch up where the paint was soft, and I flattened it... I guess I need to wait to see if anything horrible appears

Without a picture it's hard to tell exactly what is happening. Again, Scratch X is very very mild. What did you use to apply it?
I'm not sure if this is even possible, but if it was an actual blister, and it was full of moisture, you could have maybe just pushed the moisture outt temporarily. I would definitely keep an eye on the area.

 

[Speedluvver]

Without a picture it's hard to tell exactly what is happening. Again, Scratch X is very very mild. What did you use to apply it?
I'm not sure if this is even possible, but if it was an actual blister, and it was full of moisture, you could have maybe just pushed the moisture outt temporarily. I would definitely keep an eye on the area.

here is the original blister..... used a microfibre cloth to apply.. it was very small in the first place...

And here is photo now... you can see a small mark if you zoom in.. but that's it

 

[Magma]

here is the original blister..... used a microfibre cloth to apply.. it was very small in the first place...View attachment 42150
And here is photo now... you can see a small mark if you zoom in.. but that's it


View attachment 42151

Definitely looks like othet people's photos of bubbles...interesting. Hard to explain why it disappeared. I can see the "after" mark you're talking about.

 

[Speedy Emira]

Yeah, this definitely troubles me the most out of all possible issues...


... and this is why it troubles me. It blows my mind that leaving your car out in the rain could increase the chances of such a nasty issue. I'm actually starting to think it might be better to leave the car outside for the first year, just to try and force any lurking defective panels to show themselves within warranty.

I can’t think of anything more dumb than leaving a car outside makes paint blisters appear.
I spoke to a gelcoat boat repair specialist today and he said I such request in writing information regarding and issues with the car in the first 8 months when the first owner had it, especially any paint repairs.
He saint could be different but blisters in gelcoat could be down to damp air during painting getting trapped.
Someone else suggested the panels are absorbing moisture.
There is no chance I’m going to consider removing panels or doing things to dry out panels. These cars aren’t cheap and I’m going to be a right pain in the butt with Lotus if I don’t get treated fairly.
I’ll be calling the dealer tomorrow so let’s see what they say.

 

[seriously]

I have to assume this was a defect during the painting process itself and not something that occurs from leaving your car outside.

If moisture is trapped in your panel (say from a less than perfect window seal) it would be way easier for it to escape from the non painted side and find its way through the window opening. It must be moisture that is trapped in between the panel and paint that somehow didn’t cure properly that reappears at a later date. I wouldn’t worry about leaving your car outside because of the rain. However, perhaps something about wide temp changes brings the dormant issue to the surface. This is surely a manufacturing defect that should be 100% remedied by lotus.

 

[Speedy Emira]

I spoke to the dealer today and I’ve been told they can only submit a warranty in its entirety as you can’t go back to claim for additional expenses.
They said I need a new door which pleases me compared to having a repair that may come back after the warranty ends.
I’ve had to request a written estimate from the company that completed the pod and ceramic coating.
It sucks but hopefully it will be done properly.

 

[kitkat]

I have to assume this was a defect during the painting process itself and not something that occurs from leaving your car outside.

If moisture is trapped in your panel (say from a less than perfect window seal) it would be way easier for it to escape from the non painted side and find its way through the window opening. It must be moisture that is trapped in between the panel and paint that somehow didn’t cure properly that reappears at a later date. I wouldn’t worry about leaving your car outside because of the rain. However, perhaps something about wide temp changes brings the dormant issue to the surface. This is surely a manufacturing defect that should be 100% remedied by lotus.

It can be both moisture trapped inside of the composite AND an improperly sealed composite absorbing moisture.

Both have absolutely nothing to do with the paint application on top of the prepared panel.

 

[Speedy Emira]

My warranty claim gets submitted by the dealer this week.
Up until 4 weeks ago there were no blisters and then a couple of weeks ago I had about 40 blisters along the top edge of the passenger door but now I have more blisters coming out in 3 other places on the door.

 

[Nellie]

I had blisters come and go on the passenger door over winter, this side still appears okay.

However today noticed I had a large umber of blisters across the top of the drivers door, some pictures below of my issue. Picked car up in March '23 so probably a 01/23 or 02/23 build.

There are about 16 - 20 small bubbles, some in groups others on their own - only across the top of the door

At this rate I have had every new car fault with this Emira, Lotus are slowly giving me a new car one component at a time!!!

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I had blisters come and go on the passenger door over winter, this side still appears okay.

However today noticed I had a large umber of blisters across the top of the drivers door, some pictures below of my issue. Picked car up in March '23 so probably a 01/23 or 02/23 build.

There are about 16 - 20 small bubbles, some in groups others on their own - only across the top of the door

At this rate I have had every new car fault with this Emira, Lotus are slowly giving me a new car one component at a time!!!

Bugger, that sucks. Of all the potential Emira issues, paint blisters is the one that scares me most.

 

[Yas.totti10]

Yikes at the door! I am still battling with Lotus HQ.
In the end my car was taken back to the Lotus Hethel Factory.
It's been nearly 4 months without my car now.
I have had no updates with regards to what they have done to my car in the end despite it supposed to returned to me this week.

It's difficult to judge what they are trying to achieve because I have no idea how you can make it up to a Lotus customer who has had to be without their car for such a long time..

 

[kitkat]

Yikes at the door! I am still battling with Lotus HQ.
In the end my car was taken back to the Lotus Hethel Factory.
It's been nearly 4 months without my car now.
I have had no updates with regards to what they have done to my car in the end despite it supposed to returned to me this week.

It's difficult to judge what they are trying to achieve because I have no idea how you can make it up to a Lotus customer who has had to be without their car for such a long time..

At what point do you just ask for your money back? 4 months seems absurd to replace some panels.

 

[Yas.totti10]

At what point do you just ask for your money back? 4 months seems absurd to replace some panels.

It's really strange.
Because I bought mine from Lotus Glasgow with 2k miles, on one hand Lotus HQ are saying that they cannot authorise a refund.
Then Lotus Glasgow are saying that they cannot get involved with a refund because they have not been involved in the issues the car has had.
I have no idea how that should make a difference that I use Lotus Silverstone because they are closer to where I live.

Thoughts?

 

[MIGZ]

Is lotus providing painted replacement doors ?

Or raw doors that need to be replaced,

How much are the doors ?

 

[JohnHoward]

Another one with the paint bubbling. My car was delivered in April 2023, so I assume built in 03/23, poll above filled in accordingly.
Both doors and one of the rear quarter panels affected, all will need replacing. I noticed this last week after washing, it was strange how they all appeared at the same time. Nothing unusual weather wise, car is parked on the drive as it always has been. Local service centre advised long waiting times for parts currently, they are very familiar with the issue.
Photo is the passenger door which is the worst affected currently.
Also advised Lotus Customer Care by email, just to keep a written record.
Will update this post as appropriate for the benefit of others searching for info, but I don't expect this to be anytime soon!

 

[Yas.totti10]

Update on my Lotus Emira:

After 4 months of paint issues and being left with Lotus HQ to resolve the matter.....

They called me today to inform me that they have given up.

They wish to offer me a replacement Lotus Emira.

Very disappointing given that they took my car back to the factory to sort.

I have no confidence left in the Lotus brand given this has dragged out for 4 months.

I think a full refund is looming

 

[Wonza]

Update on my Lotus Emira:

After 4 months of paint issues and being left with Lotus HQ to resolve the matter.....

They called me today to inform me that they have given up.

They wish to offer me a replacement Lotus Emira.

Very disappointing given that they took my car back to the factory to sort.

I have no confidence left in the Lotus brand given this has dragged out for 4 months.

I think a full refund is looming

That’s good news!!!