Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[LotusTaylor]

I'd TELL them you want new doors just as everyone else is getting.

Good point - I will email them now to reinforce that Will keep you all updated on their response.

 

[nelly111s]

Good point - I will email them now to reinforce that Will keep you all updated on their response.

Since the new doors will be factory painted, you should have less issues with a match, rather than a respray, which may show in different lights. I know the Chrome Orange on my Elise was a 3 coat solution, maybe the metallic colours on the Emira are the same? If so, much less likely to get an invisible repair.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

Since the new doors will be factory painted, you should have less issues with a match, rather than a respray, which may show in different lights. I know the Chrome Orange on my Elise was a 3 coat solution, maybe the metallic colours on the Emira are the same? If so, much less likely to get an invisible repair.

Are they replaced factory painted, mine on order aren't, Seneca Blue metallic, they will be painted via the dealership.

 

[Nova]

Are they replaced factory painted, mine on order aren't, Seneca Blue metallic, they will be painted via the dealership.

Yea, they are all shipped unpainted and the dealer paints them. The dealers have access to the paint mixes needed for a good match.

 

[Orchardbike]

Yea, they are all shipped unpainted and the dealer paints them. The dealers have access to the paint mixes needed for a good match.

That’s exactly as I understand it.

 

[Beardedbradley]

Is this issue still just the V6, have we seen any i4/turbo with blisters

 

[Beachbum]

That’s exactly as I understand it.

They will still need blending in. My experience with new panels on my Elise and then painting always required blending in with the pre-existing. Much to Lotus HQs annoyance

I would also suggest just sticking with your local dealer. Sounds like its a lot closer than the one from which you bought it and will make it a lot easier to give the grief, if the work starts to take too long

 

[Foxy87]

Is this issue still just the V6, have we seen any i4/turbo with blisters

Yes the i4 on my dealers lot had paint bubbles on the doors.

 

[tankski]

I’ve had a phone call about my doors and apparently there’s a new part number that supersedes the (now old) replacement door part.

 

[Orchardbike]

Mine have been ordered today.

 

[Rupes]

I’ve had a phone call about my doors and apparently there’s a new part number that supersedes the (now old) replacement door part.

Apparently...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you though!

 

[SJM]

Australia here.
Has anyone reported paint bubbling on Australian cars?

 

[virtualmacho]

Australia here.
Has anyone reported paint bubbling on Australian cars?

Perhaps "paint denting" ?

 

[John_Matrix]

I have read all the 35 pages of this. I’ve also looked at the poll. Still feel none the wiser. It doesn’t appear that ‘every’ Emira has or will suffer from this issue. That would indicate the problem isn’t universal- it’s not every set of doors or all panels on all cars.
That said, it’s likely many cars aren’t dailies. As such, they perhaps don’t see rain. But, they must get washed. So- why are some cars suffering and not others?
I have an early car built around the same time as Harry Metcalfes. It’s done 7k which I’d consider high for an Emira. No blisters. Yet reading this thread would have me thinking the doors should look like bubble wrap. What is the common denominator?

 

[JonFuller]

I have read all the 35 pages of this. I’ve also looked at the poll. Still feel none the wiser. It doesn’t appear that ‘every’ Emira has or will suffer from this issue. That would indicate the problem isn’t universal- it’s not every set of doors or all panels on all cars.
That said, it’s likely many cars aren’t dailies. As such, they perhaps don’t see rain. But, they must get washed. So- why are some cars suffering and not others?
I have an early car built around the same time as Harry Metcalfes. It’s done 7k which I’d consider high for an Emira. No blisters. Yet reading this thread would have me thinking the doors should look like bubble wrap. What is the common denominator?

Is your car garaged?

 

[Enut]

I have read all the 35 pages of this. I’ve also looked at the poll. Still feel none the wiser. It doesn’t appear that ‘every’ Emira has or will suffer from this issue. That would indicate the problem isn’t universal- it’s not every set of doors or all panels on all cars.
That said, it’s likely many cars aren’t dailies. As such, they perhaps don’t see rain. But, they must get washed. So- why are some cars suffering and not others?
I have an early car built around the same time as Harry Metcalfes. It’s done 7k which I’d consider high for an Emira. No blisters. Yet reading this thread would have me thinking the doors should look like bubble wrap. What is the common denominator?

I'm the same, mine is not a particularly early car (July 2023 pick up, no idea of build date, but the amount of bird lime marks on it at collection for a brand new car suggest that it had sat outside for at least some time prior to it being finished which surprised me as my order was finalised in mid July and I picked it up at the end of July).

Mine got very wet in the first few days after delivery (biblical rain storm and the doors partially filled with water until I took out the rubber bungs that kept the water in!) However since then it has been garaged and not really driven in heavy rain if I can avoid it. I'm also careful washing it, always hand wash and although I will use a pressure washer I'm careful not to spray too much onto the door window gaps.

It's a dilemma really as part of me thinks I should drive it in as much rain as possible to try and get the doors to bubble whilst in warranty but then again I'd rather not have to go through the hassle of having new doors. I'm hoping that keeping it garaged is the answer.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I have an early car built around the same time as Harry Metcalfes. It’s done 7k which I’d consider high for an Emira. No blisters. Yet reading this thread would have me thinking the doors should look like bubble wrap. What is the common denominator?

Ditto. Mine has seen plenty of rain, lots of washes, so far no blisters.

I think the most likely explanation is that the defect is in specific batches of panels that weren't correctly manufactured by Teijin.

There are 'only' 59 owners in our survey that report blistering. When you consider that over 10,000 Emiras have been manufactured, it's a relatively small number and (hopefully) suggests that this won't occur on every car. [and yes, I'm very aware that there are more than 59 cars with blisters!]

 

[freefall_junkie]

Ditto. Mine has seen plenty of rain, lots of washes, so far no blisters.

I think the most likely explanation is that the defect is in specific batches of panels that weren't correctly manufactured by Teijin.

The impression I got from the service manager at my local dealer was that he thought all Emiras were affected, but then he was at the sharp end dealing with a backlog of cars with their doors needing replaced and an overstretched body shop. I agree with you that the evidence so far points to only some, although possibly large, batches being affected.

One thing is certain. There are going to be some very, very unhappy Lotus customers within the next year when some early cars inevitably start getting blisters after the 3 year warranty is up. I had a very pointed email exchange with Lotus CC a while back, pushing them about whether my car was in the affected batches (they must know) and what they would do if the blisters occurred after 3 years. After a lengthy silence they basically refused to say anything meaningful and came out with some weasel words about treating issues after 3 years on a case by case basis.

Lotus clearly haven't remotely grasped customer service 101 which states that good service is all about being transparent and taking ownership of problems...

 

[ADC]

It's a dilemma really as part of me thinks I should drive it in as much rain as possible to try and get the doors to bubble whilst in warranty

Even though I am an even later build (Feb/Mar 2024), this is absolutely where my head is at. I'm intentionally not babying the car, and just leave it out in the weather, because if this issue is going to develop, I want it to happen sooner rather than later.

I still only wash by hand using a hose, but that's mainly so water doesn't blow past seals or get forced into the front/rear bays unnecessarily. Bollocks to having to get it under cover at the first sign of rain like a panicking ant... it's a car for chrissakes!