We got our Expedition in November new, and the panels look like crap! What do you all put on them to keep them looking good? It is an XLT, thus they are the plastic kind. I have used Armor-All, and they still look somewhat bleached. I am tempted to break out the Zaino.

 

Try this


http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=282514

ISSUE:
Some 2003-2004 Expedition XLT vehicles, (excluding Eddie bauer models), built 2/1/2003 to 12/31/2003 may exhibit the front and rear exterior door trim and fender extension moldings (cladding) fading.

ACTION:
Replace all cladding on all four (4) doors and fender extensions. All cladding supplied in the Service Kit must be installed to prevent color mismatch and continued fading.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Clean off the area below the character line and above the cladding. Remove dirt as necessary.
Apply protective tape (minimum width 1") directly above the molding. This will prevent scratches when moving the tool along the cladding to release (pop up) the cladding retaining clips.
NOTE: PAINTING WILL NOT BE APPROVED FOR THIS REPAIR.



Using Trim Removal Tool (OTC-4489), open the door and begin to pop up the nine (9) retaining clips across the top of the cladding and the four (4) across the bottom. Once the cladding has been removed from the body, remove the protective tape.
Install the new part (retaining clips are included on the new part). Repeat the repair on the remaining doors.
Remove the two (2) screws that attach the fender extensions.
NOTE: RETAIN THE SCREWS AS THEY WILL BE REUSED.



Install the new fender extensions reusing the original screws.
Return the vehicle to the customer.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
4L1Z-78465K00-AAA Medium Dark Platinum Cladding Kit
3L1Z-78465K00-AAB Medium Platinum Cladding Kit
3L1Z-78465K00-AAA Medium Titanium Cladding Kit


warranty STATUS:
Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage

Hope this helps----Bob

 

I couldn't ask for more Thanks!

 

GTO2Z28


Have you talked to the dealer yet?

How did you make out?

Bob

 

We bought the Expedition about 1 hour away b/c of a dealership knocking off around 10 grand trying to get rid of 03's, but I did not want to drive back up there so I called my local dealership. They said the manager would have to look at it as I talked to just the general staff. I took it down along w/ a copy of the post you directed me to. They said they had never heard of it, and thanked me for bringing it in! They ordered new panels and told me they would be in in 5-6 days. Thanks again. I hope these panels don't bleach. Do you know if they changed the material or what w/ the new panels?

 

I would thinks so being the TSB was only for cars built up tp Dec 2003.

They must have changed something since then.

Bob

 

I'll follow up next week when I get them changed.

 

Changed them today. It took all of 45 minutes. I was told just to use something w/o silicones to treat them. Hopefully these will stay looking good Thanks again for all the help

 

Thanks to this post, I showed my dealer a copy of this bulletin!!!
Ordered them, arrived in 2 days, installed in less than 1 hour.

If your dealers service writer uses the keyword "cladding" when writing a repair order on his computer, Ford will refer to that bulletin!!!!

 

Another thanks to this post, I have a set of the panels on order. The service guy was very nice, but was not volunteering any information. When I told him that you can do a search under cladding in the computer he finally realized I knew enough about it and did the search. Sure enough, he found it. Coincidently, my wife ran the passenger side down a pole and messed up the trim on the two doors. Now I am getting those replaced for free. I still have to cover the running board she bent though.

So the point of my story is, if your trim is fading, go make Ford fix it.