Interior Exterior
Q:
I was trying to do some touch-up on the front bumper of my 06 Ardent Red car today.
The touch-up paint (Lotus OEM) went on fine, but what I did notice is that when I wipe the paint off with rubbing alcohol to get the area clean before paint application, quite a bit of paint just rubbed off too :-(
Not enough to worry about, but somewhat more than what I am used to.
The car was purchased by me, brand new off the showroom floor and was not exposed to elements before purchase.
Is this normal for the paint that lotus uses. I think I may try the 3M paint and wax remover instead of alcohol next time. And how is it that the rock found the only exposed area between the two pieces of star shield?
A:
lotus uses a water based paint when painting @ the factory. What effect iso alcol would have on it ? Ck with body shop as to proper prep.
i
A:
Due to EPA regulations (and their European counterparts), all Euro cars use water based paints (and I think all cars in US must have water based paint). The real question is whether the paint has a clear coat or not. Based on my experience, I am guessing the answer is probably not as a car that is clear coated will not have this type of paint rubbing off with alcohol.
This may also explain why the paint does not seem to be as thick as or as durable as BMW or Porsche paint jobs.
I guess it does help make the car light though
A:
Factory Porche etc say the new water base paint's are as durable etc as pre 97, but from my experience that is not true. Last porsche was awful as was the windshield. Lotus AR has no clear coat. Have a 06 AR Lotus and no chip's as yet. The first hurt's the most.
A:
I am on my third chip in 6 days. 2 of them of my own doing, 1 rock chip. Still getting used to the ground clearance and the door dimensions of the car. I think I have to put down the magnifying class and step away from the car
I do agree that the newer paints on either BMW or Porsche are not as durable as the pre-86 paints which I believe were taken off the market due to lead.
Anyhow, now that I already have chips (now painted) on the car, no excuse not to drive it. I am not a big show car person anyway.
A:
Most bright red paint jobs don't have a clear coat so they'll exhibit some color rubbing off. My Guards Red Boxster was the same way. I'd go with the 3M product over alchohol.