2021 Paint process?

[snowyelan]

Hi All,

I will shortly be shopping around for a shop to paint my shell (french blue). I'd like to talk to them in a somewhat intelligent manner regarding the process. Can anyone suggest what I should be asking for? This is a bare shell with the GRP repairs done, minimal factory primer left in a few spots, and the bodywork 90% done. I'm sure they will point out the 10% I missed. I may have that ratio reversed....
From initial discussions it seems like waterborne paint (in Canada) is the norm now? I assume a sealer coat of non-waterborne is required as the first step (osmosis concerns)? Seems like single stage died long ago and base clear is the standard?

[h20hamelan]

I having just painted three the last 5 years, and a year in school for body. Many years working (though only as a labourer) at an aircraft manufacturing and world class rowing shell manufacturing, though both of these only in carbon. I have built many boats and feel I have good general understanding.

What I have done, and what I would recommend.

1, have them bake their booth with body in the day before or keep the humidity low for days before painting. This is what can cost a bunch if you need a booth without an oven (expect they understands this and if they dont, suggest finding someone else) there will be shops, ask around that have done Corvettes.

2. You want to seal the fibres, Reface (which I have used) is about the same as a N American equivalent like Evercoat. 2 part sprayable polyester sealer primer (evercoat is 1/2 the price). Also, poly once sprayed destroys guns so offer to buy the shop a gun ($100). Again, if the shops booth doesnt have a oven they will need to keep the humidity low. The first coat is the important one, and having the fibres absorb atmosphere before first coat will lead to bubbles after time or you may not notice for a few years.

3 straight forward from here, prime and filler, then paint. Don’t be so sure waterborne is the only option, water is for large shops or manufacturing and you likely wont find your colour in water. This is the problem you are going to run into, PPG or any others dont have all the colours of the world. PPG is about the only one to my knowledge in N America that has bought the rights to Lotus colours. I would see if I could turn up a paint chip or a body panel from another car because paint fades and does change colour over time. So if your car is original French Blue, you may be looking at a different colour than your used to. I think Triumph who PPG also paid for colour uses French Blue. Jaguar might, but PPG did not pay them. Last comment, if I were you. Paint is where I would spend some extra money. Yes the original French Blue is nice. What about some extra pearl or metallic. The world is your oyster now!

Each body shop uses a different paint supplier, so this should be part of the first tele call.

I will PM you my number if you think I can answer more questions if you dont want to ask here

[snowyelan]

Thanks for the feedback Hamish. I'm sure more questions will come up.

I did visit a paint supplier a while back to try and sort out paint codes. Interesting that PPG bought the lotus codes, he had books of colour chips going back to the early 70's but couldn't find a current mix for the Lotus french blue in his system. The triumph french blue had a touch of purple in it, not what I was expecting.

The colour in the link below is what I consider to be lotus french blue. At least on the monitors I have viewed it on.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=32863

I'm leaning toward the newer Ford grabber blue, which seems pretty close to the french blue, and I can get a code for it. Mine was originally royal blue but its a bit too dark for me.

He also suggested that if going with a solid colour, which I prefer on the elan, that the PPG Essentials line may be an option. Its apparently aimed at fleet trucks and such but is a single stage. I think he was suggesting it because he thought I was going to try spraying it.

I had read somewhere on the forum that baking wasn't recommended? Maybe the suggestion was based on high temperature? I can't see any harm in doing it at a reasonable temp. The sun does shine on a lotus after all.

[h20hamelan]

Hamish eh?

72 or maybe 78 Ford Bright Dark Blue Metallic. Think from the F250 line is what I went with.

It has some very dark pigments, and the metallic is perfect for me

[steve lyle]

Check into PPG “Concept”. It’s single stage. I used it 7 years ago to spray my MGB in my garage. Turned out great.

[cabc26b]

+1 to using ppg concept . I have used it on a few elan bodies. It holds up well overtime and is more resistant to impact than some of the BASF paints .

Also the PPG library is extensive so if you find a French blue you like they may very well have a formula for it ( I painted 2 elans regency red using the jag formula so they can do it , they also have the Porsche color library which has plenty of variety.)

[Slowtus]

I having just painted three the last 5 years, and a year in school for body. Many years working (though only as a labourer) at an aircraft manufacturing and world class rowing shell manufacturing, though both of these only in carbon. I have built many boats and feel I have good general understanding.

What I have done, and what I would recommend.

1, have them bake their booth with body in the day before or keep the humidity low for days before painting. This is what can cost a bunch if you need a booth without an oven (expect they understands this and if they dont, suggest finding someone else) there will be shops, ask around that have done Corvettes.

2. You want to seal the fibres, Reface (which I have used) is about the same as a N American equivalent like Evercoat. 2 part sprayable polyester sealer primer (evercoat is 1/2 the price). Also, poly once sprayed destroys guns so offer to buy the shop a gun ($100). Again, if the shops booth doesnt have a oven they will need to keep the humidity low. The first coat is the important one, and having the fibres absorb atmosphere before first coat will lead to bubbles after time or you may not notice for a few years.

3 straight forward from here, prime and filler, then paint. Don’t be so sure waterborne is the only option, water is for large shops or manufacturing and you likely wont find your colour in water. This is the problem you are going to run into, PPG or any others dont have all the colours of the world. PPG is about the only one to my knowledge in N America that has bought the rights to Lotus colours. I would see if I could turn up a paint chip or a body panel from another car because paint fades and does change colour over time. So if your car is original French Blue, you may be looking at a different colour than your used to. I think Triumph who PPG also paid for colour uses French Blue. Jaguar might, but PPG did not pay them. Last comment, if I were you. Paint is where I would spend some extra money. Yes the original French Blue is nice. What about some extra pearl or metallic. The world is your oyster now!

Each body shop uses a different paint supplier, so this should be part of the first tele call.

I will PM you my number if you think I can answer more questions if you dont want to ask here

Very informative post...if I ever get back into Lotus, I will ship it directly to you for paintwork.

PS, have you seen that steering wheel yet - and was it as specified?

[h20hamelan]

Just send me your shooting brake and everything will be fine!!!

Nice wheel ive been told Slowtus, haven't seen it. Surely it will be better than the Mark Donahue (though nice) wheel. My brother is typically less impressed by anything, than the standard Britt!

[Slowtus]

Just send me your shooting brake and everything will be fine!!!

Nice wheel ive been told Slowtus, haven't seen it. Surely it will be better than the Mark Donahue (though nice) wheel. My brother is typically less impressed by anything, than the standard Britt!

That is going down the road soon, cannot go forward on this one.

Did your brother actually LOOK at the wheel, as a lawyer he should have authenticated the signature at the very least!

[Gordon Sauer]

I have used Glasurit and it’s held up really well, it’s a urethane single stage and it had the 70s lotus carnival red listed so it may be better for finding the colors, Gordon Sauer