Try this:
(set-specifier modeline-shadow-thickness 10) ; to accentuate the negative
Now try obscuring just the modeline shadow (not the main part of the
modeline) and re-expose it. The modeline shadow is not redrawn in
response to the expose event.
Related bug: Do M-x ispell-buffer. See how the ispell *Choices* buffer
is mostly obscured by the modeline shadow, making the *Choices*
buffer useless.
Perhaps Andy or Jan could fix this?