Dust in factory paint

[quantumleap]

Hey all ...
I am brand new to the forum. I had a 2001 5 speed Sport Trac (yes .. a manual transmission) that I upgraded to a 2009 Black STA in November 2008 ... and I am loving it!!:

Has anyone else noticed dust in the factory paint? I have noticed that there are about 5 or 6 spots on the vehicle that seem to have dust under the paint. The dealership is willing to paint the quarters, but I am leary of having them paint a brand new vehicle. Will the colour match? Will it peel prematurely? Does any one have suggestions/previous knowledge?

Thanks in advance ....

 

[briwayjones]

Whatever they do won't hold up as well as the factory paint most likely.

 

[JohnnyO]

Agree with Briwayjones. Unless it is real noticeable I wouldn't mess with it.

 

[bisjoe]

Too bad you didn't notice that before buying it, of course they probably would have fixed it and sold it to someone else. This is a case where there should be something done, since it's a factory defect and you have a bumper-to-bumper warranty. I'd suggest looking closely at the details of the warranty. I think it's 5 years no mileage on paint. If that's true, then their "repairs" to the dusty paint should be good that long too. Before that expires check it closely and take it back if the repairs have started to fail.

 

[johnredcorn1]

I have a black 09 too and I have found about 5 spots so far was going to take it to the dealer but now I don't no if I want to I have a couple on the rightside box a couple on the drivers door and on the front fender. They might as well paint the whole truck.

 

[quantumleap]

Thanks

Thanks for all the suggestions ... I have decided to leave the paint as it is. I think the potential mismatch may bother me more than the dust. It is a shame that this paint job made it out of the factory!!

 

[Rick]

Have you tried a clay bar on the areas? Could be "rail dust" which is dust kicked up by the trains which transport the new cars. The paint is still a bit soft at that point and the dust settles into it.

 

[Essex4x4]

X2 on the clay bar, easier than losing your far for a week, and less issues down the road with aftermarket paint. Factory paint is always better no matter how you look at it.

 

[40twist]

For what its worth my 07 has some spots like this too.

 

[johnredcorn1]

Went to the dealer today and talked to the paint guy he said that a clay bar and polish would knock the dirt in the paint down some said it would take him no time to do it.He also said that its to hard to match the factory paint.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Devil's advocate...

Have you looked to be sure the dealership didn't already paint them and maybe that's how the dust got under there? Lots of cars get touched up after transport...

 

[johnredcorn1]

No its factory paint. I work at the Ford Oakville Plant and I have seen all sorts of defects.Some get damaged and repaired and then painted again at the plant and they do a good job but I can tell if it has been done.Sometimes it just depends on the care that was taken when it was painted. Most of the painting is done by robots now but still some people involved.They try and work in quite a sterile state but **** happens.

 

[BigV]

I have small orange spots under my clear it looks like a very tiny rust spot but you can't feel anything. I can only see it when I wash the truck so I really don't care I may try a clay bar see if that does anything.

 

[unclemeat]

I dont agree that factory paint jobs are always superior. Paint is done by robots, true. However, you can buy a better quality paint. You can also use more resulting in a thicker finish.

Can a dealership do a good job? What quality of paint will they use? Who will be spraying? Lots of questions that I would ask before I let a dealership touch my junk.

 

[quantumleap]

Here is the scoop .... the dust under the paint has been left alone ... I really don't like after market paint (I have been in the automotive business for many years and I know the difference between factory and after market). There were also some areas in the "gutters" in the roof that has not been totally covered with paint (some primer showing), so I did have them paint those areas ... and I am completely glad I did not have them paint my quarters ... I do notice a difference in the paint job.
Just a little disappointed in the quality. I just finished detailing my wife's Mazda, and realized that it has a superior paint job.

 

[jaxz0rz]

Yeah, unfortunately Ford has never done a fantastic job with paint. In all of the Fords I've owned over the years I've always found defects of some sorts. Compared to the paint I've seen on most imports, Ford leaves a lot on the table, especially when it comes to durability.

I think you made the right call on leaving it as-is. No matter how good a paint guy at the dealership may be, there's no way to match the paint...especially with black.