Calypso Red fading syndrome

[Sheds]

Yep, the car was left out in the sun in previous years by someone and the Calypso Red has turned to Calypso Orange in places. Does anyone know any cure for this, short of respraying the whole damn car (which I cant afford to do right now!)?

Also, the car is an 89 Turbo X180, but we've been battling to get new tyres for it. The original Front 195/60/15 and Rear 235/60/15 are just not available in the same tyre anymore, so we've bought the SE rear 16" wheels. However, despite finding a number of solutions including Dunlop SP9000's and Michelin Pilots, actually getting hold of the tyres to put on the car is proving near impossible. I could get the original SE fit Goodyears from South West Lotus Centre, but I understand that they were not a great tyre anyway. Can anyone offer any advice on this?
cheers
Piers

[rob.ellis]

Piers

My suggestion to you would be to join up on the esprit yahoo group and ask the question there.. this subject has been discusses several times.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKLotusEsprit/

Also, i believe the factory service centre has a stock of tyres for earlier cars. Tel : [phone]

Cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT

[R Naylor]

Hi Sheds

The fading red is a standard problem with Esprits of that age. I have exactly the same on mine. I was told that it was because of both the type of paint they were using at the time and the fact that red fades more than any other colour anyway. Unfortunately, despite many enquiries with "the specialists", no-one could come up with an answer other than a respray.

You may also find that the laquer has or will start to lift away from the colour coat - it shows itself as small white spots on the bodywork that gradually get larger. This is another problem with red cars (it does happen to other colours as well - it is called osmosis and is caused by water getting under the laquer or coming out of the fibreglass). Once again the only solution is a respray.

In both cases you must be careful where you go as you will find many local sprayshops who will say they can do the job for you for a lot less than the main dealers quote but remember that fibreglass spraying is completely different to metal body spraying and experience is very important. Make sure they can show you or put you in touch with other cars that they have done. I have been quoted 3000 GBP plus from an experienced sprayer and as little as 800 GBP from a local place. You have to ask what sort of job you will end up with for 800 GBP?

I hope this helps

[R Naylor]

Sheds

Further to my previous reply...

As far as the tyres are concerned my car has the larger SE wheels on the back and, to be honest, I think they unbalance the car because they give a lot more grip compared to the front. It can cause serious understeer - they are almost impossible to get to break away while cornering.

I have Pirelli 7000 on the back and Falken on the front both of which I have been very happy with. I know that Falken also do the rear tyres but they don't last very long. The Pirelli ones are harder wearing.

I also tried using 205/55's on the front to try to balance the greater grip at the back and while they did grip better they made the steering even heavier than normal and caused extra wear on the suspension and steering components so I am going back to 195/60's as soon as these wear out.

[ErnestM]

Try this before the respray (and I don't know the proper brand names to tell you for the UK):

Step 1: Use a "cleaner wax" (in the US I would say Zymol or Mothers) to lift out some dead paint, etc in preparation for next steps.

Step 2: Use a glaze (Don't know any brands - again in the US - Mothers) to fill in and/or remove any swirls or scratches

Step 3: Use a PURE Carnauba wax for that glossy look

If you do all three it may just bring your paint back to life, at least long enough for you to save for the respray It costs a lot less and if it ultimately doesn't work, at least the look of the car will improve somewhat...

ErnestM
gleaming 98 V8

[Lotusdude]

I have this exact problem on my 89 Red Esprit Non-SE the solution, i sold it and am looking for a newer Esprit :0)

[22/11/71]

Paint Fade :-

Not a lot you can do to rectify that will look half decent, other than a full respray. I did however manage to solve the problem, albeit temporarily, on a few of the panels by lifting off all the old lacquer using a stanley knife blade (sore fingers!) then spending a couple of hours with a solvent based cutting compound to clean it up and remove scratches etc. Polish it up a couple of times and it should look presentable. Flat panels are easy to do but the wings etc are a real b*****d !! Don't powerwash/jetwash your car, as it makes it worse very quickly.

Tyres :-

I have a full set of pristine 15" Turbo alloys from a 1989 Esprit which have just been recently powder coated. They have the correct size tyres fitted with one of the rears being brand new Pirelli P600, all the other tyres have at least 4mm of tread left. I need the space and i'll let them go for any sensible offer.

I have photos I can e-mail.

Cheers,


SP