12 replies to this topic

[Tomlad]

Hi folks,

While washing / waxing today, I noticed that about an inch of paint had come away from the bottom of the wing, behind the driver side front wheel.

Its hard to spot, as it is right down near the sill. The paint has come away, but I was surprised (an relieved) to see that rust has not yet set in.

Has anyone else got this problem? I'm thinking of getting it fixed up by a body shop, then fitting mud flaps to guard against it happening again.

[Cougar_16v]

You posted this too late for me to check! Its dark!

I'll take a look tomorrow!

[4titx]

Tomlad, on 19 February 2012 - 07:25 PM, said:

Hi folks,

While washing / waxing today, I noticed that about an inch of paint had come away from the bottom of the wing, behind the driver side front wheel.

Its hard to spot, as it is right down near the sill. The paint has come away, but I was surprised (an relieved) to see that rust has not yet set in.

Has anyone else got this problem? I'm thinking of getting it fixed up by a body shop, then fitting mud flaps to guard against it happening again.

If your saying its come away, do you mean 'flaking'?.sounds like the primer/basecost is still there then so the paint hasnt adheared to the base, probably due to poor preparation maybe.

Or do you mean paint has been blasted way with whatever the tyre threw up?

[Cougar_16v]

That 2nd option 4titx is talking about sounds to me like a bad paint job from an earlier accident?

I cant see that happening from a factory paint job?

Unless the car has been driven on gravel at speed for sometime.

[Tomlad]

Cougar_16v, on 19 February 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

That 2nd option 4titx is talking about sounds to me like a bad paint job from an earlier accident?

I cant see that happening from a factory paint job?

Unless the car has been driven on gravel at speed for sometime.

The paint is missing across and area approx 1 inch. It also appears to be lifting near by as well.
Under the paint appears to be bare metal.

I don't think it is a result of a respray, the same paint loss is evident, to a slightly lesser extend, on the passenger side.

Its an ex lease company car. I have the full maintenance history for the car and there is no mention of a respray.

The car's previous owner was an energy company, so it is possible it has been driven on sites with gravel etc, but who knows.

Edit to add - the paint loss is, without doubt, consistant with damage caused by debris scattered from the wheel.
There is also superficial "peppering" infront of the rear wheel arches, below the the back corner of the rear doors. This, again is consistant with scattered debris.

I'll try to post a photo up tomorrow

[colmar]

Hi Tomlad

I had the rear wheel arch 'peppering' as you describe it, very slightly on both sides of my previous 58 plate Zetec - and I recall reading a few others posting about the same. I don't remember seeing posts about paint flaking behind the front wheels.

I would agree fitting mudflaps is sensible. It's unlikely the Ford paint warranty will help. As I recall that particular warranty is only valid for 1 year - the anti-perforation warranty is longer.

[Tomlad]

Hi again folks. I planned on getting a photo today, but only just got home from work - obviously its now dark.

Its looking like a busy week for me, so it might take me a few days to get a photo up.

Now I've determind that its caused by stone chips. I need to decide between DIY and professional repair.
I wouldn't normally consider DIY paining (bad past experience), but it is under the sill where it won't be seen...

I'm genuinly amazed that there is no obvious sign of rust, expecially having come from a mk3 that had rust eating through all the door bottoms!

Edit - To attach image showing the location of the paint loss (This is actually my car too!)

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[Tomlad]

I managed to get a picture of the paint damage. It looks a lot worse when photographed!

It almost looks rusty, but its not, its just dirty, As you can see, the paint has been chipped away, leaving clean, bare metal.

Similar (slightly less bad) damage is visible on the passenger side, in the same place.

I'm edging towards getting a professional job done, depending on cost.

To be honest, I paid £6000 all in for the car at auction. It is otherwise immaculate and fault free. I've had it for 4 monthes and this is the only problem, so I'm not too upset.

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[ChrisDean]

I don't think that mine's rusty down there but what I have noticed is that clearcoat is non existent so I'll attend to that in due course.

[Cougar_16v]

Wow that looks aweful!! You wanna get taht treated asap!

Mines not like that!! In fact mines fine.

[Tomlad]

Got it booked into a bodyshop in a couple of weeks time.

£200 for both sides and some general paint chip repair to the front bumper (just touching up). The car will be in for 2 days.

The guy says that he'll have to paint the whole wing! He seems to have some good testimonials on other forums, so should be ok.

The guy also said that the paint chip protection was non existant.
He even showed me the protection on another make of car, to give me an idea what was missing - Keep an eye on your paint folks!

Anyway, £200 for the paintwork and £50 for some mudflaps comes to £250. I'm not too upset, since is the only money I've had to spend since buying the car from auction.

[Cougar_16v]

Did you take the car to Ford for them to have a look?

[Tomlad]

Nah, it'll be 5 years old in the summer!