Preventing Hood Rust/Bubbling Paint ?

[royski]

So, a common issue with Ford and the aluminum hoods is that the aluminum at the front edge of the hood will start to rust/oxidize. This leads to the paint bubbling and eventually flaking off.

My question is does anyone have any methods to prevent this from happening?

 

[peterk9]

Although the OP no longer seems to be following this thread, has anyone noticed this issue on the 6th gen? This thread came to light when some 5th gen owners posted here. Those were moved to the 5th gen forum and the appropriate existing thread on the issue.
Thanks.

Peter

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

Yeah I don't think this has been an issue on the 20+ units

 

[Pedro504]

My '21 has been through one winter in Western New York and the hood looks great, no rust or bubbling.

 

[peterk9]

My '21 has been through one winter in Western New York and the hood looks great, no rust or bubbling.

It isn't the weather conditions that cause the issue. It is due to the material used to make the hood.

Peter

 

[07EddyB]

So - from a different perspective I've heard about this issue ever since I bought my 07 Explorer but I've never experienced it and I've never seen an Explorer that had it. Now granted - I may have seen some that had the problem and it had long ago been repainted but I can say that after 15 years the paint on my hood is great - no problems at all. I don't doubt that some years ago some poorly prepared hoods made their way through paint but at this point I've filed it in the greatly exaggerated and repeated internet gossip bucket because an aluminum hood was fairly new at that point and haters are gonna hate.
And when did Ford switch to an aluminum body on the F150? I think it was 2015. If they still can't properly paint aluminum at this point then I'm sure we would have heard more about it by now.

 

[peterk9]

So - from a different perspective I've heard about this issue ever since I bought my 07 Explorer but I've never experienced it and I've never seen an Explorer that had it. .............................................

Here ya go. Hood Paint bubble issue only

Peter

 

[Jost]

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread, probably not. Now it is 03/2025. My 21 is 4 years old and I have a couple of bubbles in the front of my hood. Not very large and I do not plan on doing anything until they either spread or open up. It is not due to rust, its poor prep of the aluminum. I had that on the lower doors of an Escape that we had and I sanded and fixed it myself. I also have an older Mustang and they are notorious for this, fortunately that car its all under the hood and had not spread at all. Because this is in a prominent position, if it gets worse I'll bring it to a body shop and have the hood redone. Unfortunate, but it is what it is.

 

[peterk9]

I believe this is the first report of a 6th gen Explorer having that issue. Aluminum panels are warrantied for 5 years, unlimited mileage.

Peter

 

[Jost]

I believe this is the first report of a 6th gen Explorer having that issue. Aluminum panels are warrantied for 5 years, unlimited mileage.

Peter

Thanks peter, I went through that with our escape. The local ford dealerships blew me off for a while, then did such a poor job that I just did it myself. I’m going to bring my wife’s Lincoln Corsair in for service soon so I’ll talk with them about it. Unfortunately I don’t expect much. Wondering if anyone else is having this. One thought I have, my car is infinite blue, they only had that color for one year, I bet that they relished the paint had a problem. If no one else posts, I’ll definitely update after I see the Lincoln dealer.

 

[PHEVPL]

Got that corrosion on the hood as well in my 2020/21.
Dealership repaired that (perforation warranty) but they didn't care to secure the hood properly so they covered the hood with clear paint (not to mention damaging the doors) so my hood looks like crap now. Watch it carefully while pickin it up after repairs.

 

[Jost]

Got that corrosion on the hood as well in my 2020/21.
Dealership repaired that (perforation warranty) but they didn't care to secure the hood properly so they covered the hood with clear paint (not to mention damaging the doors) so my hood looks like crap now. Watch it carefully while pickin it up after repairs.
View attachment 462996

Thats awful, the work that they do is so darn shoddy and careless. Right now I have 2 bubbles that have not popped. I'm inclined to leave it but I have one year left on that warranty. I'll let them take a look at it and take it from there. Thank you for your post on this.