Osmosis on rear clam

[AlanG]

Hi

I viewed a 111R at the weekend. As part of the negotiations the Elise had a service yesterday. During the health check video, the guy at the Lotus specialist in Northampton highlighted ‘bubbling’ on the rear clam. 
 

I did not notice it on Saturday. Should I be concerned? My initial research suggests it could be a problem that is likely to only get worse over time, but other sources suggests it is very common.

I welcome your thoughts.

Thank you.

[Dave-hp]

How bad is it and to what extent? My 2006 111R has some really small 'bubbling' in a couple of places, but not extensive. I had 2 stage correction recently and the guy didnt pick up on it being an issue. 

[AlanG]

There are four or five small bubbles about the size of half a 5p piece.

[duncx]

Those sound bigger than the more usual 'pimple sized' bubbles. The problem is that the paint has lifted off the undercoat (or maybe even lifted off the gel coat) over a larger area so it is more likely to come off altogether than for small pimples. This happened on the tops of the doors on a 2006 111R that I owned and the result was very unsightly  However, this may never happen and you just live with bubbles, generally they will inflate/deflate a little depending on the weather and the time of year!
You could repair them of course buts it's not a quick/easy job if you want to do it properly. If the price of the car reflects the condition then I would go for it - there's nothing worse than paying top price for an immaculate car and then you get bubbles appear anyway because you are storing/using the car differently than the previous owner(s).

Good luck

Edited to add - whatever you buy don't keep the car outside under a cover and don't let it get hit by a prolonged hard frost. Both scenarios are asking for trouble.

 

Edited September 16, 2025 by duncx

[DeanB]

Dunc's advice is sound.

You have to ask yourself, would I be happy leaving the bubbles alone and just living with them? (I wouldn't. It mars what is supposed to be a happy ownership experience).

If you would be happy living with them, is the price adjusted to reflect the issue?

If you aren't happy living with them then get a quote to have them rectified (try Option1 at Bromsgrove, a specialist) and factor that in to your price negotiation.

You can always walk away. Plenty more Elises to buy.

Good luck.

[AlanG]

Thank you for your thoughts. I didn’t notice them on Saturday when I viewed the car.

It does concern me that they may get worse overtime. There are a few pimples and bubbles visible.

I do appreciate it is individual preference on these kind of things and that the car is 17 years old.

 

[Oakman]

Realistically, they are not that bad - especially for a 17 year old fibreglass car.

The reality is it can happen at any time to a GFRP vehicle, especially as others have said a lot depends on how a vehicle is stored - I paid the price for having my SI Elise outside under a 'waterproof breathable cover; for a couple of weeks, similar osmosis bubbles arrived later, on what was immaculate original 20 year old paintwork. 

They can also come on areas of old repair or original factory minor repairs done after the car was painted.  Metal cars can get them too, just that GFRP is a bit more prone.

[CDM2018]

I have it on my Evora and I first got a tvr specialist give me their assessment and they said sanding and respray it would come back after time.

option 1 will say the same only cure is to replace the body part and that’s costly as the water moisture is ingrained into the plastic as it’s a faulty composite.

i have chosen to live with and even thought I see it I ignore it ! 

[Oakman]

Spot the Osmosis 

[Dave-hp]

2 hours ago, AlanG said:

Thank you for your thoughts. I didn’t notice them on Saturday when I viewed the car.

It does concern me that they may get worse overtime. There are a few pimples and bubbles visible.

I do appreciate it is individual preference on these kind of things and that the car is 17 years old.

 

Ive a similar patch on mine 2006, not quite as lifted, but it still doesnt look that bad Alan. I wouldnt see that as a deal breaker. (depending on the rest of the spec and price) 

[richbk]

i had similar and worse on my exige after it had to live outside during a house rennovation 10 years ago . I was feeling flush so had the car completely resprayed a different colour (see avatar) and have never had them return despite the car living inside and out over the last 10 years . A certain level of luck is involved for sure. My S1 elise also has it, and I am just living with it for now until I can afford to have that re sprayed too. The price of the re spray was £3k 10 years ago - I am guessing it is more than double that now  - If anyone has had a recent quote I would be keen to hear. Then negotiate a fair middle ground with the seller to help towards future cost of repair?