Paint - clear coat - changed up???

[Doc Fizzix]

Does anyone know if Lotus changed up the paint they used on the Elans in late 91? My first Elan was made in mid 91 and the paint (clear coat) flaked off and the car turned pink, my current Elan was made in late 91 and was the fifth to the last car brought to the states and their is no problem with the clear coat and the color is still a deep red. The car has always been in Texas where the sun "eats-up" a cars paint in no time at all.

Just wondering, maybe the paint or the process was changed up OR maybe the car just did not see too much sun.

[Doug]

your observation is correct,

see Elan manual for info on paint companies and the VIN change date

[Doc Fizzix]

your observation is correct,

see Elan manual for info on paint companies and the VIN change date

So does the "changed" paint hold up better or will it suffer the same as the previous red? I guess this is a dumb question since mine looks good after all this time but I am still wondering how it has held up for others then

[Sy V]

Al

When the book arrives you'll wish you hadn't asked that question...

[Doc Fizzix]

Al

When the book arrives you'll wish you hadn't asked that question...

Thanks for keeping me in suspense

I can't wait

[donsladek]

Hello Doc,

So what is the VIN I should be looking for if I want a Calypso Elan that will stay red and not get 'flaky'

Thanks!

Don

[johnbenk]

Hi.

The problem with the paint fading with the Red Elans in a hot climate is due to the compostiton of the original lacquer. "Metal" cars were
sprayed at the Factory with the paint heated to over 250 degrees Fahrenheit. You can only get upto 180 degrees in a "Body shop".

The Elans were hand sprayed but not" Heated" to dry the final
lacquer. The process known as " clear of base" and was the modern method of spraying cars. Now "New" cars are painted with WATERBASED
paint at the Factory and a final Two pack clear coat is applied.

You have to take back the original lacquar to the base coat a very difficult
job as long as the base coat is thick enough. The paint thickness in the 1990,s was approx 3.mils for base and .5mls for top coat.

Most paint companys still make a "Two pack paint" which cures by chemical reaction the Elans top coat dried by normal evaporation and this causes problems with the pigmentation. Red Elans suffered the most.

The only cure is a "respray" and a good quality UV Polish to seal the top coat against the effects of the SUN or a Garage. A "write up" regarding the new paint technology due to the EU. VOC.s 2006 will follow on this Bodywork Section shortly, which will be of interest to ALL ELAN owners
in keeping your "Paint Work" in pristine condition and hint and tips of the
paint trade on what questions to "ask" when going into a bodyshop for paint repairs to let the paint sprayer "Know" what you expect from the finished job