2013 Lotus Touch Up Paint (3 OEM Colors)

The 2013 Lotus Vibe

2013 was a weirdly cheerful year. While everyone else was getting "Happy" with Pharrell on the radio, Lotus was busy stripping everything-including the paint-down to the bare essentials. Whether you were piloting a late-run Elise or the "civilized" Evora, the mission was the same: simplify, then add lightness. We've cataloged the heavy hitters that survived the track days and the sun, focusing on high-impact shades like Solar Yellow Metallic and the brooding Carbon Grey. In a year where most cars were boring silver, a Lotus in Bright Yellow Metallic Tricoat was a middle finger to the mundane.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the "Thin Paint Era." Lotus has always treated grams like they're made of lead, and by 2013, their paint shop at Hethel was getting surgical. These cars weren't exactly drenched in product; they were dusted with it to keep the weight down. Because you're dealing with a composite GRP (fiberglass) body instead of metal, the paint lives a hard life. The clear coat doesn't have a heat-syncing metal panel underneath to help it cope with the sun, so it gets brittle fast. If you're seeing "star cracks" around the wheel arches or a clear coat that looks like it's ready to surrender, blame the "Robot Efficiency" of the era-they were programmed for lap times, not longevity.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up that 2013 finish, remember: you are a surgeon, not a mason. This paint is thin, and if you try to "blob" a chip to fill it in one shot, it's going to look like a zit on a supermodel. For the Bright Yellow Metallic Tricoat especially, you have to build your layers with the patience of a saint. Apply a thin base, let it flash off completely, and then layer. If you rush it, the solvents will get trapped against that composite body and create a soft spot that'll never level. Build slow, sand high, and don't try to cheat the clock.