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Rear number plate plinth removed - but still see outline


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I am going for a smaller rear plate so have removed the plinth having referred to previous posts about how to do it. So, having done that, I am left with a faint outline of where the plinth was along with witness marks of the 3 horizontal strips of s/a tape. I have tried the following products to try and get rid of this: G-Techniq Tar & Glue Remover, Tardis, IPA; applying each with a microfibre cloth but still the difference in shade remains.

Are there any other suggestions about what else I can try?

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Edited by Karls
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Brake and clutch cleaner? Test a small area first to check no interaction with satin black before going for it. Used it for cleaning my wheels before C5 coating application  

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Certainly worth a try, thanks.

Interestingly the car did have a G-Techniq Crystal Serum treatment when new or nearly new in 2016 so I’m wondering if what can be seen is treated area versus non-treated but it still wouldn’t account for the witness marks of the s/a tape that are still evident.

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Crystal serum is tough stuff so lets hope it is adhesive residue. Cellulose thinners or acetone is the final option but that is last chance saloon as it may well damage the paint, good thing is that the CSL should help protect. Let us know how it goes. Be careful!

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Was the coating Crystal Serum Ultra  or Crysal Serum light? - With both you can try to break it down at a chemical level, either with something highly acidic or alkaline, try going with a neat strong alkaline wheel cleaner, such as bilbury, or go the other end with a strong distilled vinega - then follow up with an citric cleaner.

The paint Lotus use is really intended for inside use use (Sonnebornne and Reick  Soft Matt Feel)  and specifically states that is will discolour in its early life, especially where it vents differently. This would explain the tape lines and the top  and edge line that may have been hit by UV in its early life. Changes to the paint (discolouration of the matt paint) is specifically excluded from the Lotus paint warranty. Being an interior paint it also means its not that hard wearing, so tread carefully with brake cleaner.

So if it is a coating, try to removing with acid or alkaline. If its the paint you can try to the following:

Expose to UV by parking in sun (hard this time of year), exposing to heat to get it to rebreath (a hairdrier could work, but a heat gun could be a bit extreme), or simply coat again in something like an interior dressing. Using something like Gtechniq C4 would also fade it as it levels out trim very well

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Thanks MrP,

‘I’m not sure what the G-Technique coating was, it’s got a sticker on the windscreen stating ‘7 year guarantee Crystal Serum’. However, the area under the plinth would not have been coated. I will try the things you recommend and update. It’s weird though, I’d have thought the area under the plinth which has been shielded from UV would be a darker shade than the surrounding un-shielded areas but it’s lighter but only where the s/a tape has been. I can’t feel any residue/ridges along where the tape has been, just the lighter shade. I guess, as you have said, it could be that the tape has altered the way these areas of the material have vented.

Edited by Karls
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2 hours ago, Karls said:

Thanks MrP,

‘I’m not sure what the G-Technique coating was, it’s got a sticker on the windscreen stating ‘7 year guarantee Crystal Serum’. However, the area under the plinth would not have been coated. I will try the things you recommend and update. It’s weird though, I’d have thought the area under the plinth which has been shielded from UV would be a darker shade than the surrounding un-shielded areas but it’s lighter but only where the s/a tape has been. I can’t feel any residue/ridges along where the tape has been, just the lighter shade. I guess, as you have said, it could be that the tape has altered the way these areas of the material have vented.

If its a 7 year it should be the original CS before they went to ultra and light, and if it was put on by an accredited chap then its likely you have Exo on the Matte paint anyway, which will be easier to remove - but like you say, if it was the coating you would not have the tape marks!

The paint Lotus use is strange in how it reacts but hopefully it will fade with time if you can't find a product to accelerate it - not helpful I know!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I’ve been unwell since my last post so have been unable to progress it any further. Let me know how you get on. Have you found a difference in shade between where the s/a tape was/wasn’t?

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Yes, I meet another forum user yesterday who experienced the same so put the full size plate back on. I’m not sure what to use as I was told it’s an unusual paint (actually an interior only paint which Lotus used on the outside).

 

I also need a slight touch up, in 1 area some paint was pulled away. No bigger than 5% of a 5p coin but still want that sorted. 

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I will fit the new shortened plate anyway and once we get some decent sunshine, let the UV rays do their stuff and see how the finish behaves. Hopefully the darker areas that were under the s/a tape will out-gas and lighten up over time.

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