Painting a Lotus |
By Kiyoshi Hamai
Chapman Report – March 1979
Periodically even Lotuses must be repainted; when the paint oxidizes to the point of no return (a permanent buff) or after the repair of "El Crunch-O". In the case of the former this means a total repaint, in the case of the later, it usually means, "We’ll match it as best we can… " A bit of research in the handy-dandy shop manual we learn there is an entire section devoted to body repair and painting. I feel that any owner even thinking about painting his Lotus should expect to have SOME bodywork done. I say this because I have yet to see a Lotus without crazing or spider webbing. From the Europa Shop Manual:
"Crazing itself generally stops at the first layer of fibre glass and is consequently not in itself structurally serious, but the extensive crazing near damaged areas should be taken as an indication of over stressing and the panel should be reinforced or replaced. It is not possible to remedy crazing by simply re-surfacing with a further layer of resin."
The reality is that if we are to re-paint our Lotus we are planning to do some bodywork.
I doubt seriously if there is any real solution to crazing, consider fiberglass flexes even under its own weight. Therefore we compromise between cost, practicality and beauty. The best results I have seen has been when the first layer of gelcoat has been ground off and the area re-gelcoated. (Remember, the crazing is only about one layer deep.) If the area has been extensively damaged reinforcing from the back side will be required. Use NO Bondo! Use fiber putty in alternating layers of fiber mat. Newly glassed areas must be sealed before priming.
A few words about painting; obviously the ideal would be for the old paint to be completely stripped. (Please note the old paint should be gently ground off so the fiberglass will not be subjected to harmful solvents.) Then proceed to straighten the body and reinforce and re-gelcoat as needed, followed by the priming and painting. It sounds simple, but it is not! This explains why there exists an entire spectrum of body shops doing a variety of "individualized" qualities of workmanship. Never has the old adage, "You get what you pay for," been more fitting.
A discussion of the assortment of paint shops would be subject enough for a doctorial thesis, but for the sake of this article I will divide the shops into 3 basic categories; 1) Miracle Special, 2) Better Shops, 3) Concours Shop.
THE MIRACLE SPECIAL
THE BETTER SHOP
THE CONCOURS SHOP
Most of us having limited cash flow want the concours work for the miracle special price. This is an impossibility in the free enterprise system, so we must turn to the Better Shops to search out a compromise between cost and beauty. The best advise when shopping for a shop is to know EXACTLY what you’re getting for the price.
GUIDELINE TO GETTING THE MOST FOR THE LEAST (shopping)
There are many different types of paint, but there are three major types which are most commonly used. These are:
ACYRLIC ENAMEL: A very glossy and somewhat orange peely paint. Very hard, and inflexible, therefore it is a very durable paint yet it is prone to cracking when flexed. Can be difficult to rub out.
ACYRLIC LACQUER: A very high gloss paint with no orange peeliness since each coat is rubbed out before the next coat is applied. Very hard and somewhat brittle, but has the deepest looking finish.
POLYURETHANE: Two part paints. Have very glossy and somewhat orange peely finish since it is very difficult to rub out due to its hardness. It is extremely durable, yet remains flexible, seems to be well suited for fiberglass. Must be applied with the strictest attention to the amount of hardeners and the temperature of application (I’ve heard of miserable failures because of the lack of attention to these details). Make sure that the shop is experienced with Polyurethanes. It is the most expensive of the 3 types of paints, yet the most durable. Do not shoot clear polyurethane over lacquer. They are not compatible.
Finally a word about insurance companies; so much of bodywork is paid for by insurance companies, yet most lay folks know so little about their rights when settling with an insurance company. Here are 3 things that you as a consumer are legally protected and entitled to:
Also you have the right to:
Finally…