Orange paint contamination fully explained
TSB 04-9-6 discusses properly neutralizing the surface of specified Ford models.
This procedure is still in use today and is part of the labeling on Motorcraft Detail Wash.
The orange spots are "normal" but should be cleaned off in such a way as to neutralize the surface of the paint.
(this text came from a PDF via Adobe software, which may have left some letters out here and there, or some words will appear incomplete.)
BODY-PAlNT-IRON PARTICLE REMOVALINDUSTRIAL
FALLOUT-ACID RAIN
NEUTRALIZATION
Article No.
04·9·6
FORD: 2004-2005 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS, MUSTANG, TAURUS,
THUNDERBIRD
2005 FIVE HUNDRED, FORD GT
2004-2005 ECONOLlNE, ESCAPE, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION,
EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER, F SUPER DUTY, FREESTAR,
.RANGER, F SERIES, F-650, F-750 .
LINCOLN: 2004-2005 LS, TOWN CAR, AVIATOR, NAVIGATOR
MERCURY: 2004-2005 GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE
2005 MONTEGO
2004-2005 MONTEREY, MOUNTAINEER
2005 MARINER
This article supersedes TSB 99-12-10 to update the
vehicle lines, model years and service procedure.
ISSUE
Ford Motor Company has released a private labeled
material to be used for iron particle/acid rain service
r"> repairs.
ACTION
To remove these particles/contaminates, use ONLY
the following Motorcraft products and procedure. No
poiishing, compounding, color sanding, or repainting
should be done before this procedure is performed.
This procedure uses products that are acidic,
alkaline, and neutral and must be property mixed
and used in their specific order. Refer to the
following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE
ANY CHANGES TO THIS PROCEDURE WILL
CAUSE AN INCOMPLETE OR UNSATISFACTORY
REPAIR. THE USE OF ANY OTHER PRODUCT
OR PROCEDURE MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO
ALUMINUM OR PAINTED SURFACES.
~
THE PRODUCTS USED TO REMOVE SURFACE
CONTAMINATION FROM PAINT ARE DESIGNED
FOR VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED
EXPOSURE FOR LESS THAN 120 DAYS.
VEHICLES THAT EXCEED 120 DAYS OF
EXPOSURE MAY REQUIRE THE PROCEDURE
BE REPEATED TO RESOLVE THE CONCERN.
ONCE THIS PROCEDURE IS COMPLETED, IT
MAY BE NECESSARY TO PERFORM POLISHING
OR REFINISHING PROCEDURES AFTER
VEHICLE INSPECTION.
IDENTIFICATION
Ferrous metal particles (hot iron dust) are generated
by manufacturing facilities, rail shipments, etc.
Moisture and heat combine with particles to create
a chemical reaction. This reaction creates an acid,
causing the iron to corrode and etch into the paint
surface. Additionally, industrial fallout and acid rain
generate corrosive compounds that fall on the
vehicle's painted surfaces. When subjected to
moisture and temperature, chemical compounds are
created that etch the paint surface. To assist in
identifying surface contamination, use a
(Tandy-Radio Shack #63-851) 30x iighted magnifier.
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins Is intended for use by trained, ~rofessional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to dothe job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-n-youreeltere".
Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to yourvehide. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article.The information in this Technical Service BUlletin
(TSB) was current at the time of printing.
Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this infonnation with updates.The most recent lnfonnation is
available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.
Copyright © 2004 Ford Motor Company
064798
PAGE 25
IArticle No. 04-9-6 Cont'd.
CONCERN DESCRIPTION
Ferrous Metal
Light Colored Vehicles: Small orange stains the
size of "mechanical pencil lead." The surface is
rough to the touch.
Dark Colored Vehicles: Small white or silver
appearing dots with a rainbow ring around the
dot. The surface is rough to the touch.
Industrial Fallout
• Water spots containing ferrous metal are present
and the surface is rough to the touch.
Acid Rain/Etching
Surface will exhibit irregular discolored spotting.
Dark colored vehicles may exhibit cloudy or
graying spots where the acid has begun to etch
the paint.
Extreme cases of etching may be felt.
DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURE
Use Motorcraft Acid Neutralizer, Alkaline Neutralizer,
and Detail Wash to decontaminate and neutralize
the paint surface. Perform the procedure only on
vehicle when the paint surface temperature is cool.
Follow the step-by-step procedure listed below to
perform this service operation.
1. Rinse off dust, dirt, and debris with cold water.
Flush liberally.
2. Prepare Motorcraft Acid Neutralizer by mixing
eight (8) parts of water to one (1) part Acid
Neutralizer in a bucket. .
3. Wear gloves and use a clean wash mitt to
apply mixture of Motorcraft Acid Neutralizer to
the entire vehicle starting at the top of the
vehicle working toward the side. Work fast and
keep the vehicle wet with solution, lightly
agitating and moving quickly around the vehicle
repeatedly for five to seven (5-7) minutes. For
vehicles with severe conditions, work the
product for up to eight (8) minutes.
NOTE
USE A SEPARATE MITT FOR EACH PRODUCT.
DO NOT INTERMIX MITTS.
4. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with cold water to
remove Motorcraft Acid Neutralizer.
5. Dry only the horizontal surfaces of the vehicle
at this time. Do not dry glass.
PAGE 26
NOTE
MOTORCRAFT ALKALINE NIEUTRALIZERIS
READY TO USE. DO NOT MIX WITH WATER. DO
NOT SPRAY MOTORCRAFT ALKALINE
NEUTRALIZER ON THE PAINTED SURFACE.
6. Pour the Alkaline Neutralizer into a dispenser
(squirt bottle). Squirt the neutralizer directly onto
a clean wash mitt. Apply the product to the
vehicle, keeping the areas wet and lightly
agitated for five to seven (5-7) minutes. For
vehicles with severe conditions, work the
product for up to eight (8) minutes.
7. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with cold water.
8. Prepare Motorcraft Detail Wash by mixing 29.5
mL (1 ounce) of Detail Wash to 3.7 L (1 gallon)
of water.
9. Shampoo the vehicle with Motorcraft Detail
Wash using a clean wash mitt. Rinse the
vehicle with cold water and dry the vehicle
completely.
SURFACE CORRECTION FOLLOWING
DECONTAMINATlON/NEUTRALIZATION
1. Visually inspect paint surface for evidence of
removal of ferrous metal particles and water
spots.
NOTE
ACiiJ'RAIN DISCOLORING OR ETCHING WILL
REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES
DEPENDENT ON DEPTH OF DAMAGE;
POLISHING, BUFFING, COLOR SANDING, OR IN
EXTREME CASES, REFINISHING.
2. DO NOT intermix buffing products. Use only
one manufacturer's products.
3. Always follow the manufacturer's product usage
sequence. Use the appropriate recommended
pad at recommended buffing speeds as
specified by the product manufacturer.
NOTE
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO AFFECT A REPAIR BY
BUFFING, POLISHING, OR COLOR SANDING, DO
NOT REMOVE AN EXCESS OF 0.3 MIL OF
PAINT FILM OR REFINISHING WILL BE
REQUIRED. USE OF AN ELIECTRONIC MIL
GAUGE (ROTUNDA 164-R4025) IS HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED TO INSURIE CONTROL OF .:»
PAINT FILM REMOVAL.
-
-
4. Use a dual action sander with a Velcro backing
plate and foam pad to fine polish and remove
any swirls created by a rotary buffer or pad.
5. Use an alcohol and water mixture (1 to 1 ratio)
to clean the buffed areas and to verify removal
of scratches and swirls before application of the
final polish.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
ZC-1-A Motorcraft Acid Neutralizer
ZC-2-A Motorcraft Alkaline Neutralizer
ZC-3-A Motorcraft Detail Wash
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of
New Vehicle Limited
Warranty Coverage
Article No. 04·9·6 Cont'd. I
PAGE 27
