I have a dark blue (almost black) 2000 4X4 extended cab Lariat. I noticed after the first time I washed the truck that there was a mark on the passenger door. The shape of the mark changes depending on the angle at which you view it with the sun reflecting on it. I washed the truck again this past weekend and now there is a similar mark on the driver's side. I cannot feel any scratches in the clear coat. I only use car wash detergent and body brushes to wash the truck. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is there anyway to fix this other than painting it and is it a factory problem?

 

Clemonstiger:

Hey buddy ... Make sure you follow these steps for a "swirl free" clear coat. It should be noted, however, that Ford's clear coat is less than ideal, and scratches very easily. (Unfortunately!)

1. Purchase a VERY SOFT mash mit (the kind that fits over your whole hand), preferably made of cotton or *mild* wool. DO NOT use a sponge or rag.

2. I have found that Meguires Soft Gel Car Wash mixed 50/50 with Meguires Gold Class Car Wash makes the ideal car wash detergent.

3. Use PLENTY of the car wash detergent in a large wash bucket and stir it all up so that it's nice and foamy.

4. Fill another was bucket with plain water to use as a rinse for your wash mit.

5. COMPLETELY RINSE OFF THE TRUCK with a light spray of water. I cannot stress enough the importance of this step. Otherwise, you will GRIND any and all particles of dust, sand, etc., into your paint as you wash the truck.

6. Start to wash the truck one section at a time. Don't be afraid to put copious amounts of the foamy water on the wash mit as the foamy bubbles serve several important functions: A. to dissolve dirt/grime on the surface B. to act as a lubricant between the fibres of the wash mit and the clear coat and C. to cause the dirt/dust thats left on the paint to adhere to the bubbles and be rinsed off the surface.

7. Use VERY LIGHT pressure with the wash mit, and turn the mit over frequently. Once you have washed one section, rinse the wash mit in the clean water thats in the other bucket you have prepared.

8. Rinse off the section that you just washed with a light spray from the hose, starting at the highest point and working downwards. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.

9. Continue to wash the truck each section at a time in the same manner.

10. After you finish washing the truck, rinse it all off again with the hose. If your windows are especially dirty, you can use a small amount of regular dish washing detergent to clean them. Use a sponge for this and apply the detergent directly to the sponge (make sure the windows are wet first). I have found that dishwashing detergent is very effective at cutting grease, tar, bugs, etc. that tend to accumulate on windows. Rinse accordingly.

11. Use a *very well* rinsed shammy, preferably a real leather one, and work one section at a time to remove the standing water. DO NOT rub the shammy over the surface...carefully "drape" the shammy over a small section and allow the absorbancy of the shammy to "suck up" the water. It is not necessary to remove every single drop of water.

This should help to avoid swirls. However, I have religiously washed my truck (which is black ... dark colors show swirls much more than lighter colors) and I can still see a few swirls!! To fix this, you will need to maintain your trucks finish. To remove the existing swirls, I recommend Meguires Gold Class Clear Prep & Swirl Reducer. This is a MILD abrasive and will remove 95% of existing swirls, and will also remove any oxidation that you may have on the clear coat. Follow the direction provided. After you have applied the clear coat preparer, you can apply a polish and wax. I prefer Meguires products...there any many other brands to choose from however. A good polish will replenish the paint with oils and is what gives properly cared for paint its shine. Lastly, and MOST IMPORTANTLTY ... use a good quality carnauba wax. I highly recommend a product called Blitz wax. It is a paste wax, contains no chemicals, and goes on easily. A good wax job will help protect the clear coat BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE. Water will bead and roll off your paint like butter, and any contaminants (tar, bird crap, small scratches) will effect the hard carnauba wax coat, not your paint!

Good Luck!

Steve


2000 4X4 Lariat SC SB
5.4
Two tone black/silver
All options except LS differential

MODS so far:

-Westin step bars (powder coated matte black)
-Lund bug shield
-Gentex electrochromatic rear view mirror

MODS to come:

-Superchip (of course!!)

-K&N or AirAid air plenum/filter (can't decide yet which one to get)

-Flowmaster Force II exhaust (series 50 SUV with duals out the rear)

-Mickey Thompson Classic 16" wheels with 305/75 BFG AT KO's

-4.10 gears (still thinking about this one ...anyone have any input?)

-Dana LS diff or locker of some sort once they are available..


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Another possibility to your marks is a defect from Ford. Some paint colors (usually the darker ones) can have a "hologram" looking mark on them. I have this on my passenger side door. This is caused by the factory not buffing the clearcoat correctly. If this is the case you might be able to get your dealer to buff it out for you. But if these marks are appearing after each wash that's not the case. If they were their since day one, maybe visit your dealer. What did I do about mine, nothing. Quite frankly I don't care that much, and it's not that noticeable.


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1999 Lariat SuperCab Flareside, Amazon Green with Silver trim, 5.4L, 4x2, 4 wheel disc/ABS, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, fog lamps, sliding rear window, captains chairs, keyless entry with alarm, spray-on bed liner, bug guard, and K&N. http://www.csc.calpoly.edu/~bfriesen/truck.html

 

My new 2000 with Black paint had the same hologram figure on the drivers door. It is only visible in bright sunlight, about the size of my hand. There was a small one on the tailgate...but almost impossible to notice.

I noticed mine before I washed the truck..so I would assume it is a factory problem like freezer mentioned. There are no scratches..and the problem might even be in the paint..instead of the clearcoat. It is only visible right after I wash the truck..and is not visible once a little dust gets on the truck.

I am just going to continue to polish and wax that area on my door..it is not that bad..and I am concerned that the local dealer might make it worse. (I bought the truck 90 miles away).

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99