Is there a solution for the peeling paint?

[supermitch]

Hi,

My tailgate / trunk is bubbling/peeling (as expected) on my 2011. It's getting pretty bad, and looks super ghetto. What options do I have to solve this?

Can I replace the entire thing with maybe a 4th gen tailgate?

Or perhaps a very late model 3rd gen? Are there ANY 3rd gen tailgates that won't ~rust~ bubble?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hi,

My tailgate / trunk is bubbling/peeling (as expected) on my 2011. It's getting pretty bad, and looks super ghetto. What options do I have to solve this?

Can I replace the entire thing with maybe a 4th gen tailgate?

Or perhaps a very late model 3rd gen? Are there ANY 3rd gen tailgates that won't rust?

The tailgate and hood panels are made of aluminum. They do not rust (ferrous metals...), but rather corrode due to Ford’s very poor preparation and painting of the panels.

There is another thread on this forum (many, many pages long) regarding the corrosion.

Ford has known about this problem for many years and chose not to identify and fix the manufacturing process defect that has caused corrosion for so many customers.

I ordered and bought a new 2015 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4. The hatch began corroding before the base warranty expired. It is one reason that I will never buy another Ford product with aluminum panels.

 

[supermitch]

I ordered and bought a new 2015 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4. The hatch began corroding before the base warranty expired.

I've read the threads, I'm just wondering which year the issue might be fixed. I guess we know that it's gotta be later than 2015, at least! Sorry to hear that, btw... I would be choked if I'd bought a new vehicle that had this issue.

 

[JExpedition07]

Ford never resolved the problem, the hood and lift gate bubbling tsb is for 2000-2018 Ford vehicles....

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I've read the threads, I'm just wondering which year the issue might be fixed. I guess we know that it's gotta be later than 2015, at least! Sorry to hear that, btw... I would be choked if I'd bought a new vehicle that had this issue.

As above, Ford hasn't fixed the issue. It persists all the way up to current models. You can have it stripped down to the bare metal and completely redone or, according to 2 local body shops, have it sanded down, coated with a sealant, and repainted. Any reputable body shop will have a lifetime warranty against peeling/bubbling either way. Or you could spray can it as some have done here. That wouldn't be acceptable for me, but some here are fine with it.

 

[supermitch]

You can have it stripped down to the bare metal and completely redone or, according to 2 local body shops, have it sanded down, coated with a sealant, and repainted. Any reputable body shop will have a lifetime warranty against peeling/bubbling either way. Or you could spray can it as some have done here. That wouldn't be acceptable for me, but some here are fine with it.

If it's doable, I might start making some calls. Has anyone had success with a full respray?

Or you could spray can it as some have done here.

I guess I certainly can't make it much worse by trying it myself, haha.

 

[bobmbx]

If it's doable, I might start making some calls. Has anyone had success with a full respray?


I guess I certainly can't make it much worse by trying it myself, haha.

 

[supermitch]

Maybe I can just get a quick respray and then just wrap it. It'll bubble but at least it won't flake off. Or just pull the wrap, sand it again when it does, and wrap it again.

 

[TobyU]

Post a pic of it

 

[TobyU]

As above, Ford hasn't fixed the issue. It persists all the way up to current models. You can have it stripped down to the bare metal and completely redone or, according to 2 local body shops, have it sanded down, coated with a sealant, and repainted. Any reputable body shop will have a lifetime warranty against peeling/bubbling either way. Or you could spray can it as some have done here. That wouldn't be acceptable for me, but some here are fine with it.

Lifetime against peeling/bubbling...never heard of this.

That would make the price need less vasoline. I couldn't trust them to stand behind it though.

 

[Plati]

Look I know nobody but me would do this but sand it and go "au naturel" (also known as "ManUpOrShutUp"). Its been like this since last March and looks exactly like the day I sanded it. Exactly.

The thing is ... under the OEM paint, water (and whatever else) is trapped and corrodes / oxidizes the aluminum. The aluminum changes to aluminum oxide and it gets pitted. Sand the paint off, no water there and the corrosion ceases immediately and no more.

 

[supermitch]

Sand the whole thing and clear coat it. Ford Expedition DeLorean Edition.

 

[Plati]

Sand the whole thing and clear coat it. Ford Expedition DeLorean Edition.

No need to clear coat it. Its like an airplane ... stays nice looking - you dont even need to polish it. Its incredible! Trainmaster (I think) posted a picture of an Expy from a trade show where the whole hood was shiny aluminum. Crazy. Somebodys gotta do this!

 

[TobyU]

Look I know nobody but me would do this but sand it and go "au naturel" (also known as "ManUpOrShutUp"). Its been like this since last March and looks exactly like the day I sanded it. Exactly.

The thing is ... under the OEM paint, water (and whatever else) is trapped and corrodes / oxidizes the aluminum. The aluminum changes to aluminum oxide and it gets pitted. Sand the paint off, no water there and the corrosion ceases immediately and no more.
View attachment 28190

I'd jut put a mask line at the egde of the sanding or slightly past and spray it. Most blacks match well.
The you can set sand the edge a little and buff or clear than buff. It will be almost unnoticeable unless a person it told where to look.

 

[Muddy Bean]

There are aftermarket steel hoods if you want to go that route. There isn’t a steel aftermarket liftgate as far as I know. That’s the major bummer.


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[JExpedition07]

There are aftermarket steel hoods if you want to go that route. There isn’t a steel aftermarket liftgate as far as I know. That’s the major bummer.


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Keep in mind the steel hood is much heavier, you also need to upgrade the struts.

 

[theoldwizard1]

It is one reason that I will never buy another Ford product with aluminum panels.

The warranty was changed for all 2016MY vehicles. It now covers ppaint peeling on any aluminum panel.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've read the threads, I'm just wondering which year the issue might be fixed. I guess we know that it's gotta be later than 2015, at least!

Ford never resolved the problem, the hood and lift gate bubbling tsb is for 2000-2018 Ford vehicles....

As I stated, the warranty was changed for all 2016MY vehicles.

Furthermore, the entire process of aluminum panel manufacturing, from the alloy of aluminum used, through the "pickling", stamping and priming has changed start with the aluminum body F150. This was carried forward through the F250-F350 and into the aluminum body Expedition.

No help for Expeditions built prior to 2016MY.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If it's doable, I might start making some calls. Has anyone had success with a full respray?

I talked to "bump and paint" guy who has doe a few dozen repairs on Expedition tailgates. He warranties his work for 3 years (?) but his process is time consuming and therefor expensive.

• Remove tailgate
• Completely disassemble all glass, wiring, trim, etc.
• Sand blast INSIDE and out side of tailgate.
• Repair damage.
• Two coats of zinc chromate primer, inside and outside.
• Paint as usual.
• Reassemble.

He told me it takes 3 days (not full days) to do the job following these steps.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Any reputable body shop will have a lifetime warranty against peeling/bubbling ...

I took it to a reputable body shop. Strip, fill, prime and paint. NO WARRANTY !