Paint - Materials For After Warranty/Warranty Repairs
Article No.98-18-2
09/14/98
PAINT - EXTERIOR - WORLDWIDE RECOMMENDED
PAINT MATERIALS FOR WARRANTY AND AFTER
WARRANTY REPAIRS
FORD:
1997 ASPIRE, PROBE, THUNDERBIRD
1997-98 CONTOUR, CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1997 COUGAR
1997-98 CONTINENTAL, GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VIII, MYSTIQUE, SABLE, TOWN CAR, TRACER
LIGHT TRUCK:
1997 AEROSTAR
1997-98 ECONOLINE, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, F SUPER DUTY, F-150-350 SERIES, F-47, MOUNTAINEER, RANGER, VILLAGER, WINDSTAR
1998 NAVIGATOR
MEDIUM/HEAVY TRUCK:
1997-98 AEROMAX, CARGO SERIES, F & B SERIES, L SERIES, LOUISVILLE
This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to add additional paint information.
ISSUE
Ford Motor Company's goal is to eliminate paint related repeat repairs and increase customer satisfaction. To meet this goal, Ford has tested refinish paint materials that are used for warranty. Tests conducted were designed around OEM Refinish Material Reliability and Durability Standards.
ACTION
Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) has released a paint material specification (WSS-M2P100-D) to the major worldwide paint supply companies for testing refinish paint systems. These paint systems are used for refinishing service parts as well as repair steel and plastic OEM finishes.
SYSTEMS TESTED
Ford Motor Company has completed testing of refinish paint materials that are compliant to U.S. "National Rule," "Canadian Rule" and European VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) regulations.
NOTE
TESTING OF CALIFORNIA VOC COMPLIANT SYSTEMS WILL BEGIN 9/98 DUE TO A RECENT MORATORIUM REQUIRING NEW EMISSION COMPLIANT PRODUCTS.
SELECTION AND PREPARATION
Each paint manufacturer was asked to submit worldwide "in-use" paint systems for testing. The paint materials used for testing were obtained by Ford from local paint jobbers and distributors and/or shipped in from Europe. Employees of each paint company prepared and sprayed the test panels. All testing was completed at the Ford Central Laboratory facility.
SUBSTRATES AND TESTS
The paint materials approved from these specifications were tested over the following substrates: cold rolled steel, E-coated steel, bare galvanized steel, sanded OEM finish, and TPO plastic. A select group of tests including salt spray, initial adhesion, chipping, fuel resistance, and thermal shock were used for screening. As the companies passed the screening tests, they were required to complete the balance of the tests listed in the specifications. Each panel was tested and reviewed per OEM testing methods.
PAINT PRODUCT CHANGES
If a paint company decides to introduce a new product into a tested system (i.e., new primer, same clearcoat), the entire system will require retesting. Systems will only be tested once a year. Cost of testing will be the responsibility of the paint suppliers.
APPROVED SUPPLIERS AND MATERIALS
The Charts following this article (Figures 1-7) indicate paint suppliers and materials. Dealers should begin to use the recommended paint materials as soon as practical. Dealers without a body shop should provide a copy of this bulletin to the independent body shop performing their warranty repairs. The products listed in this bulletin may be made mandatory sometime in the future. As a result, dealers that have jobber/paint company contractual agreements should only contract with recommended suppliers (when existing contracts expire)
CONCLUSIONS
Testing of refinish materials will raise standards for these materials. These improved standards will result in improved customer satisfaction.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 98-9-3
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 106000, 190000