Lifting Paint

[Micro]

Hey guys,

Anyone had an issue with rust/lifting/peeling paint, on the left and right edges of the rear boot plastic trim (the one containing the handle and number plate lights)?

Wondered if this was included in the Ford corrosion guarantee or not (Cars always been serviced by Ford approved dealers) - I imagine water gets held next to the paint by this piece!

Cheers

[artscot79]

The paint or rust guarantee isn't valid if you didn't pay for the extra paint inspection at service time can't say its common haven't had it there on either focus

[Micro]

The paint or rust guarantee isn't valid if you didn't pay for the extra paint inspection at service time can't say its common haven't had it there on either focus

Aah ok, is there a guide how to remove that piece of plastic trim (if it's not stuck on), so I can assess the amount of damage?

I've got a few stone chips that need sorting, and debating whether to get them all done together if I have to get someone out to do it.

[troy45]

You can remove the piece of trim by opening boot, take out the 2 torx head screws holding on the boot lid handles then pull the inner trim panel off to disengage it's clips and give you access to the fixings at the rear of the finisher. There's 4 or maybe 6 of these, all 10mm hex nuts going onto studs coming through from the finisher. These need removing plus there's 2 little plastic clips used to hold the finisher in place during assembly.

After that there's just the wiring connector to disconnect and the whole assembly pulls clear.

I'm not surprised this is happening on cars, I think in a lot of cases there's too much contact between plastic and metal here, and this causes paint to get rubbed away over time. Similar to issue on mk1 Focus Ghia models where chrome finished tailgate handle rubs through the paint at the ends.

Ford actually list a foam gasket for fitting between the finisher and boot panel but this just tends to get pushed out of position after a few weeks being in place

[Micro]

Been investigating today.

It is indeed held on by 6 studs and nuts, and two plastic clips.

The paint does look like it has been worn off by the plastic trim (the same has happened internally inside the boot trim!). There are foam "spacers" for each stud, but nothing on either end.

I wonder if Ford would be generous and repair it for me, as it's obviously a design/manufacturer defect? :D

[troy45]

Good luck - can remember with the Mk1 chrome finisher a lad at work had to 'introduce' his dealer to a copy of the Ford TSB for the issue as they were pleading ignorance of it being a known or common problem ::)

[Micro]

Good luck - can remember with the Mk1 chrome finisher a lad at work had to 'introduce' his dealer to a copy of the Ford TSB for the issue as they were pleading ignorance of it being a known or common problem ::)

Going to head up to my local dealer anyway as I need a price on a new alloy wheel cap (bought one then just my luck another one pops out) - so will inquire then!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Ford OC mobile app