Thin paint on the 2024’s?

[DieselMonk]

After washing the truck I found tons of chipped paint (black). Never had a problem like this bad. Truck was never stuck or spinning its wheels. Seems to me that the paint is really thin? My old 2018 F150 didn’t have such thin paint. Anybody noticed that too? Got chips around the rear wheel well, hood and rooftop. Weird.
There is no way that there is primer, a couple of coats of black paint and a clear coat on it. The paint is so thin, you wouldn’t want to wet sand or anything like that. It’s like there is at most only half the paint what there should be on it.

 

[aksarben]

That sucks. My 2019 is black and the paint still looks great, but I only hand wash the vehicle. Still, a 2024? Not to pile on, but there seems to be an awful lots of problem reports for 2024s on here. I like some of the new tech in these vehicles and I get it if they have glitches or issues because a lot of this technology is relatively new and the software has bugs. Really makes me miss my '93 BMW and '04 VW Passat at times.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Ford probably eliminated the extra coat(s) of paint as they felt it was not needed and cost savings. Just like how they no longer provide hood insulation pads or engine covers.

 

[DieselMonk]

That sucks. My 2019 is black and the paint still looks great, but I only hand wash the vehicle. Still, a 2024? Not to pile on, but there seems to be an awful lots of problem reports for 2024s on here. I like some of the new tech in these vehicles and I get it if they have glitches or issues because a lot of this technology is relatively new and the software has bugs. Really makes me miss my '93 BMW and '04 VW Passat at times.

Mine is an early 24 built in Nov. 23. Only thing mine had was the fuel gauge problem and a misaligned sun roof. Other than that, the truck is solid, besides the paint is noticeable thinner than my 2018 F150 was. Not sure, is it because of the colour of the paint (black vs white), but the black paint is maybe half of the thickness than the white truck was. I’ve also got different cars including a 22 with a black colour, but that one the paint is different.

 

[DieselMonk]

Ford probably eliminated the extra coat(s) of paint as they felt it was not needed and cost savings. Just like how they no longer provide hood insulation pads or engine covers.

That’s what I am thinking too now… I really do think that this new paint is chipping very easy.

 

[Hellwig]

Mine is an early 24 built in Nov. 23. Only thing mine had was the fuel gauge problem and a misaligned sun roof. Other than that, the truck is solid, besides the paint is noticeable thinner than my 2018 F150 was. Not sure, is it because of the colour of the paint (black vs white), but the black paint is maybe half of the thickness than the white truck was. I’ve also got different cars including a 22 with a black colour, but that one the paint is different.

My vehicle was built in Nov 2023 too. I found one small area (like half sq in') being chipped in the first week after I picked it up from dealership. It is located at rear passenger side, under the third-row window. I was wondering what caused it. It is just chipped, but still covered with some paint with no aluminum appearing. Other than that, I don't find anything else yet.

 

[NevadaGeo]

Mine was built August '23 and has survived the winter road chip season quite well. I immediately installed PPF on highly vulnerable areas like the front hood and that has helped. Otherwise, the paint looks good and no unexpected chipping around the wheels etc. (I did get a few windshield chips...). There are YouTube videos showing the assembly line process in Louisville Truck Plant having several stages of spray painting and UV drying, perhaps the OP's 2024 was diverted from all paint stages? Or maybe the aluminum metal was not fully cleaned prior to painting? Or maybe water-based paint was not mixed properly? Many questions.

 

[DieselMonk]

So I went to the dealership with their attached body shop and showed him the chipped paint and how thin that paint is. He went out and came back with some paint in a little container, fixed up the spots and sent me my merry way. Cost me zero. I do have to say my Ford dealer is always pretty good to me and that’s why I go back there.
Now about that paint in the little jar he gave me… seems to me it is quite thin too! I wonder now if that is water based paint or what? It is much runnier than what I am used to. He mentioned that there is no hardener mixed in with it, so it will take a little while to dry.

 

[SyndicateZ]

So I went to the dealership with their attached body shop and showed him the chipped paint and how thin that paint is. He went out and came back with some paint in a little container, fixed up the spots and sent me my merry way. Cost me zero. I do have to say my Ford dealer is always pretty good to me and that’s why I go back there.
Now about that paint in the little jar he gave me… seems to me it is quite thin too! I wonder now if that is water based paint or what? It is much runnier than what I am used to. He mentioned that there is no hardener mixed in with it, so it will take a little while to dry.

Pretty sure they just used the same motorcraft branded touch-up paint you could buy at any auto parts stores and apply yourself. I think the only practical (yet expensive) solution would be to have PPF ( Paint Protection Film) installed on the entire vehicle to prevent future chips if the paint really is so thin.

 

[DieselMonk]

Pretty sure they just used the same motorcraft branded touch-up paint you could buy at any auto parts stores and apply yourself. I think the only practical (yet expensive) solution would be to have PPF ( Paint Protection Film) installed on the entire vehicle to prevent future chips if the paint really is so thin.

Nope. That was not a regular Motocraft touch up paint. This was something from a bigger gallon can that they use to paint cars / trucks with and just filled a bit into a small container.
Talked about that PPF to, it’s just all the lettering on the hood and back making it a crazy job. Thought about removing the letting on the hood… not sure yet what to do.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Nope. That was not a regular Motocraft touch up paint. This was something from a bigger gallon can that they use to paint cars / trucks with and just filled a bit into a small container.
Talked about that PPF to, it’s just all the lettering on the hood and back making it a crazy job. Thought about removing the letting on the hood… not sure yet what to do.

A professional PPF installer should be able to remove the letters, and then reaply after film has been installed. But anywho, yea its expensive

 

[NevadaGeo]

A professional PPF installer should be able to remove the letters, and then reaply after film has been installed. But anywho, yea its expensive

I had a professional installer apply the PPF first taking off the "Expedition" lettering. It is very simple to re-affix the lettering once the PPF is installed. I did it myself and the lettering is on a pre-cut application purchased directly from Ford. About $75ish. Definitely the way to go and always looks shiny!

 

[DieselMonk]

A professional PPF installer should be able to remove the letters, and then reaply after film has been installed. But anywho, yea its expensive

That’s what I am afraid off. Keep in mind where I live that the only thing I have going for me is a good dealer. There is a place that does window tinting, but wrapping a car is a different story here. I guess that is what I get living in the sticks.

 

[DieselMonk]

I had a professional installer apply the PPF first taking off the "Expedition" lettering. It is very simple to re-affix the lettering once the PPF is installed. I did it myself and the lettering is on a pre-cut application purchased directly from Ford. About $75ish. Definitely the way to go and always looks shiny!

Hm… I’d really like to get that done but then I also like the plastic fender flares and front underbody plate from Baja Forged. Oh well… one thing at a time. I guess I am looking PPF to be installed. Let’s see how much mulah that is.