Black trim oxydization? - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

Mindchatter · 03-17-2008, 05:05 AM

At least it seems that way... All of the black trim on my 03 is coming off and it's happening all the way around. I've seen many other exp with the same problem. Why is it happening and is there anything I can do about it? Thanks!

Charlie · 03-17-2008, 05:33 AM

It happens to everybodys. It sucks, and is annoying. I would say just re-paint it. Some even look gray its so bad.

bigapple · 03-17-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindchatter

At least it seems that way... All of the black trim on my 03 is coming off and it's happening all the way around. I've seen many other exp with the same problem. Why is it happening and is there anything I can do about it? Thanks!

once i decide to put the plan into action im gunna sand down my pillars and repaint them with some krylon fusion and see how it comes out... the oxidation happens on the pillars on every explorer... idk y it was so poorly designed but i think fusion would stick to it cuz i repainted my entire plastic trim with it

Mindchatter · 03-18-2008, 01:16 PM

Man, Everytime I walk to my x, it's like thats all I notice..lol..

*JCUZ* · 03-20-2008, 07:02 AM

Have you tried a bumper/tyre shine on it? Not sure if it would work, but it might (and it's cheap enough to try).

jluv · 03-20-2008, 11:02 AM

Which part of the vehicle are you guys talking about, exactly? I don't have anything like that going on with my '04.

*chriswells78* · 03-20-2008, 11:17 AM

Wax it with a good quality wax. My LS was doing that on the pillars between the windows. My buddy told me to wax it and I thought he was crazy but it worked great.

Mindchatter · 03-20-2008, 11:19 AM

The black panel trim on the doors ie "to the right of the driver side window" and on either side of the rear window

**rizzjc** · 03-20-2008, 12:56 PM

Or buy a Toyota, and see every piece of black on it go gray within a year or two, and then realize how much you love your Explorer.

aldive · 03-20-2008, 01:07 PM

Mother's Bacl to Black works nicely for a short time period.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...ght=back+black

*chriswells78* · 03-20-2008, 02:41 PM

These are the parts I'm talking about and I think the original poster is too. IIRC they are clear coated. On my LS they started to get a strange discoloration to them. I put a coat of wax on them and the discoloration went away. If you were to put back to black it it would just make a mess.

Thanks to Bigapple for the borrowed pic.

aldive · 03-20-2008, 04:53 PM

Thats exactly where I used Back to Black, and yes it did make them look good for a very short time then it had to be reapplied.

I gave up on it and just repainted them on my truck.

Donner · 03-20-2008, 08:09 PM

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...53&postcount=1

It looks horrible! I had mine replaced... The more you try to care for them, the more peeling that occurs. And EVERYbody sees it too

jluv · 03-21-2008, 08:11 AM

Oh, that part! Use glass cleaner or plain soap and water to clean them and if anything, you could use a wax on them like a painted surface. That's what I would recommend for normal maintenance before they get bad, but I don't know if that will bring them back. You may just have to replace them. There are also plastic polishes available that might work. I would never use any kind of armor all, tire shine, back to black, etc. That stuff is good for pliable material (rubber, vinyl, etc) and maybe even flat-finished plastic, but NOT for that part. Mine are glossy black, slick and shiney. I've never had any issues like you guys are experiencing. Perhaps at some point in your vehicle's life the wrong product was used there and damaged the finish.

The only part of my X that has a messed up finish is the 3rd brake light. It's rough and dull.

Donner · 03-21-2008, 09:19 AM

Jluv, that part just fails. Ford used cheap materials.

jluv · 03-21-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donner

Jluv, that part just fails. Ford used cheap materials.

Mine looks perfectly brand new. In fact, if you rub your fingers on it it is slick and soft, like freshly waxed paint. The biggest issue I have there is with fingerprints.

Good luck to you guys. If they are already bad, I'd replace them, and moving forward I'd care for it as you would your paint job.

Donner · 03-21-2008, 10:07 AM

I got new ones a while back. My 2nd gen panels never faded.

oluade76 · 06-30-2008, 11:53 PM

I had to sand and repaint mine at a Mercury dealership. Does anyone know if there is a tsb or recall for this.

Am not pleased that I had to replace tailgate panel and replace the trims - out of pocket

symon_say · 07-01-2008, 09:07 AM

Does anybody nows how to take this part out, cause i want to re-paint it, i'm having the same problem, something that come to my mind is to put some vinyl to cover it, something like carbon fiber or black mate, to make it look different.

94Matt · 07-02-2008, 12:08 AM

repainting process is below. I plan to do some painting this weekend if the weather is nice.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=194547

03-17-2008, 05:05 AM	#1
Mindchatter Wannabe Elite Explorer Nuagatuck,CT 2003 XLT Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	Black trim oxydization? At least it seems that way... All of the black trim on my 03 is coming off and it's happening all the way around. I've seen many other exp with the same problem. Why is it happening and is there anything I can do about it? Thanks!

03-17-2008, 05:33 AM	#2
Charlie Wannabe Elite Explorer Wisconsin 1995 F-150 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,498 Vehicle Specs	It happens to everybodys. It sucks, and is annoying. I would say just re-paint it. Some even look gray its so bad. __________________ Link to lift and max tire size info 1996 Sport 2000 XLT 1995 F-150 1987 F-150 XLT "The General"

03-20-2008, 07:02 AM	#5
JCUZ Oz Explorer Canberra, Australia 2004 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,112 Vehicle Specs	Have you tried a bumper/tyre shine on it? Not sure if it would work, but it might (and it's cheap enough to try). __________________ 2004 Explorer XLT 8 seater, LPG SVI powered 4.6L V8, 4WD with selectable 2WD, Auto, Lukey centre muffer, DVD system, reverse camera, HID high beam, Door handle "pockets", "JC throttle control"(TM), 1/2" Lift Springs front, 1" Lift Springs rear, 32" Hercules terra tracs on 16s, Lucas Mean Mother spotties, "JC" Skid Plate, Tyre carrier, Snorkel, Weathershields, Roof Basket with front and rear lights, XCal3, ECB Bullbar now fitted

03-20-2008, 11:17 AM	#7
chriswells78 Elite Buckeye Powell(Columbus), OH 96 XLT 5.0 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,558 Vehicle Specs	Wax it with a good quality wax. My LS was doing that on the pillars between the windows. My buddy told me to wax it and I thought he was crazy but it worked great. __________________ 1996 Ford Explorer 5.0 4x4... Too many engine mods to list in 6 lines so click here Also in my driveway...1999 Mustang GT 2002 Lincoln LSV8 Where I am when I am not here... Ohio Customs Car Club

03-20-2008, 12:56 PM	#9
rizzjc Scubajoe - Radio Mod Garner, NC '97 AWD V8 XLT Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,878 Vehicle Specs	Or buy a Toyota, and see every piece of black on it go gray within a year or two, and then realize how much you love your Explorer. __________________ *Joe, N1LVN* '97 XLT AWD V8 STOCK Amsoil Synthetics throughout. Amsoil Ea air filter. Bilsteins. Scanguage. Search ExplorerForum

03-18-2008, 01:16 PM	#4
Mindchatter Wannabe Elite Explorer Nuagatuck,CT 2003 XLT Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	Man, Everytime I walk to my x, it's like thats all I notice..lol..

03-20-2008, 11:02 AM	#6
jluv Wannabe Elite Explorer DFW, TX '04 XLS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 406 Vehicle Specs	Which part of the vehicle are you guys talking about, exactly? I don't have anything like that going on with my '04.

03-20-2008, 11:19 AM	#8
Mindchatter Wannabe Elite Explorer Nuagatuck,CT 2003 XLT Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	The black panel trim on the doors ie "to the right of the driver side window" and on either side of the rear window

03-20-2008, 01:07 PM	#10
aldive Elite In Memoriam 1999 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25,280 Vehicle Specs	Mother's Bacl to Black works nicely for a short time period. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...ght=back+black __________________ Al Franklin My truck My Quest for 30 RIP Al Franklin! 1947-2010. Gone but not forgotten! :(

03-20-2008, 02:41 PM	#11
chriswells78 Elite Buckeye Powell(Columbus), OH 96 XLT 5.0 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,558 Vehicle Specs	These are the parts I'm talking about and I think the original poster is too. IIRC they are clear coated. On my LS they started to get a strange discoloration to them. I put a coat of wax on them and the discoloration went away. If you were to put back to black it it would just make a mess. Thanks to Bigapple for the borrowed pic. Attached Images __________________ 1996 Ford Explorer 5.0 4x4... Too many engine mods to list in 6 lines so click here Also in my driveway...1999 Mustang GT 2002 Lincoln LSV8 Where I am when I am not here... Ohio Customs Car Club Last edited by chriswells78; 03-20-2008 at 02:42 PM. Reason: photo credit.

03-20-2008, 04:53 PM	#12
aldive Elite In Memoriam 1999 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25,280 Vehicle Specs	Thats exactly where I used Back to Black, and yes it did make them look good for a very short time then it had to be reapplied. I gave up on it and just repainted them on my truck. __________________ Al Franklin My truck My Quest for 30 RIP Al Franklin! 1947-2010. Gone but not forgotten! :(

03-20-2008, 08:09 PM	#13
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,852 Vehicle Specs	This link shows it in the second pic... http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...53&postcount=1 It looks horrible! I had mine replaced... The more you try to care for them, the more peeling that occurs. And EVERYbody sees it too __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

03-21-2008, 08:11 AM	#14
jluv Wannabe Elite Explorer DFW, TX '04 XLS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 406 Vehicle Specs	Oh, that part! Use glass cleaner or plain soap and water to clean them and if anything, you could use a wax on them like a painted surface. That's what I would recommend for normal maintenance before they get bad, but I don't know if that will bring them back. You may just have to replace them. There are also plastic polishes available that might work. I would never use any kind of armor all, tire shine, back to black, etc. That stuff is good for pliable material (rubber, vinyl, etc) and maybe even flat-finished plastic, but NOT for that part. Mine are glossy black, slick and shiney. I've never had any issues like you guys are experiencing. Perhaps at some point in your vehicle's life the wrong product was used there and damaged the finish. The only part of my X that has a messed up finish is the 3rd brake light. It's rough and dull.

03-21-2008, 09:19 AM	#15
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,852 Vehicle Specs	Jluv, that part just fails. Ford used cheap materials. __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

03-21-2008, 10:07 AM	#17
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,852 Vehicle Specs	I got new ones a while back. My 2nd gen panels never faded. __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

06-30-2008, 11:53 PM	#18
oluade76 Wannabe Elite Explorer Mountaineer 02 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	Had to repaint mine I had to sand and repaint mine at a Mercury dealership. Does anyone know if there is a tsb or recall for this. Am not pleased that I had to replace tailgate panel and replace the trims - out of pocket

07-01-2008, 09:07 AM	#19
symon_say Wannabe Elite Explorer Dominican Republic '02 XLS Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 307 Vehicle Specs	Does anybody nows how to take this part out, cause i want to re-paint it, i'm having the same problem, something that come to my mind is to put some vinyl to cover it, something like carbon fiber or black mate, to make it look different. __________________ 02' X HU: Kenwood X792 Speakers: PG Rsd6c Sub: Alpine Type R 15"@32hz almost done Spk amp: Profile Ap1040 Sub amp: Audioque AQ1200D

07-02-2008, 12:08 AM	#20
94Matt Wannabe Elite Explorer Thompson's Stn, TN 2002 Mounty 4.6 AWD Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 290 Vehicle Specs	repainting process is below. I plan to do some painting this weekend if the weather is nice. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=194547 __________________ 2002 Mountaineer 4.6 AWD A.K.A. The Full Mounty 20% tint - Viper 791x remote start - AVIC-D3