(C) Lower Body Stone Protection Repair Tips
Ford has introduced a vinyl anti-stone abrasion material for the lower exterior body surfaces of selected passenger vehicles and light trucks. The anti-stone abrasion material is applied to the lower fenders, rocker panels, lower doors, quarter panel dogleg, and lower rear of quarter panel behind the wheel. The anti-stone abrasion material will usually end at a body character line.
While primarily for servicing of factory-applied protective coating, the following provides installation information. If the vehicle has experienced body damage in the factory-applied material protective area, the sheet metal damage must be serviced prior to the application of the new protective coating.
SMALL AREAS - MINOR DEFECTS (VEHICLES WITH FACTORY SPRAYED-ON VINYL)
A small dent in the sheet metal that did not mar the vinyl surface, can possibly be corrected with proper bumping tools without damage to the vinyl coating. However, noticeable scratches or gouges (not over 1/2 inch in diameter) or dings and dents that when "ironed out" show vinyl damage, can be satisfactorily serviced with the following procedure:
1. Solvent-wipe the damaged area with "Silicone and Wax Remover."
2. Using a heat gun or lamp, soften the vinyl coating of the damaged area until it can be scraped off with a putty knife or a similar tool. If necessary, sand off any hard to remove coating using an orbital disc sander (No. 80 Disc). (The spray-on vinyl protective coatings may not be suitable for "spot" application. See Manufacturer's label for instructions.)
3. Perform necessary servicing to correct the sheet metal damage.
4. Using white bodyfiller, fill the damaged area. Follow the instructions on the label and blend the bodyfiller with the surrounding sheet metal.
5. Allow the bodyfiller to completely cure and then carefully sand the area smooth, removing any high spots.
6. Refer to "Spray Procedure" for restoration of vinyl anti-stone abrasion material.
LARGE DAMAGED AREAS - VEHICLE WITH FACTORY SPRAYED ON VINYL
Peeling or damage over a large area will necessitate removal of the factory sprayed-on vinyl coating. The following procedure is suggested.
NOTE: WHERE SHEET METAL IS DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT A FENDER, DOOR, OR QUARTER PANEL REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED (OR IN AN INITIAL INSTALLATION), DISREGARD STEPS NO. 1 AND NO. 2.
1. Using a heat gun or lamp, soften the vinyl coating until it is pliable. Scrape coating off with a putty knife or a similar tool. If necessary, sand off any hard to remove coating using an orbital disc sander (No. 80 Disc). (The vinyl material, abrasion resistant coating may not be suitable for "spot" applications. See manufacturer's label for instructions.)
2. Perform necessary servicing to correct the sheet metal damage.
3. Refer to "Spray Procedure" for restoration of vinyl anti-stone abrasion material.
COATING APPLICATIONS
Approximately two quarts will be required for an initial installation on a passenger car or F-Series. Slightly more will be required for an Econoline. The specified dry film thickness of 15 to 20 mils (.015 to .020 inch) will require at least three, possibly four, applications of coating material, with "flash off" time between coats. Spray coat complete panels only.
The coating must be applied with commercial equipment by an experienced automotive painter. The coating must be thoroughly agitated before application. The material is heavy bodied. A pressure cup spray gun or "Rocker Schutz Gun" is recommended.
COATING PREPARATION - MASKING VEHICLE
Install suitable covers over the wheels.
NOTE: IF THE VEHICLE HAS LOWER BODY SIDE MOULDINGS (12-14 INCHES ABOVE THE "TURN UNDER" OF THE ROCKER PANEL), THE MOULDING CAN SERVE AS THE UPPER MARGIN OF THE AREA TO BE COATED. IF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE SUITABLE MOULDINGS, A SCULPTURE OR BREAK LINE IN THE SHEET METAL CAN BE UTILIZED. THIS LINE SHOULD BE SELECTED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE PROTECTION OF THE PAINTED SURFACES.
VEHICLES WITH BODY SIDE MOULDINGS
1. Masking tape should be positioned so that the moulding lower edge is also covered. The adjoining sheet metal should be left uncovered too so anti-stone, abrasion vinyl can be applied.
VEHICLES WITHOUT BODY SIDE MOULDINGS
2. If the contour of the body side has a break line, the upper coating margin must be masked off using 3M "Fine Line" Tape.
a. The normal masking tape and paper protection for the body side should be applied first and positioned about a quarter inch above the margin line.
b. The "Fine Line" tape should then be applied over the regular masking tape with the lower edge at the upper coating margin line. Extend this "Fine Line" tape into the wheel opening, in the absence of wheel opening mouldings, allowing the flange to be coated.
c. The anti-stone abrasion coating does not adhere well to flexible plastic parts. If left exposed, they must be masked off.
d. It is not necessary to mask off the body door openings in the coating area, as they will be uniformly coated where the door margins allow the coating to enter.
NOTE: DOOR OPENING AREAS SHOULD BE CLEANED TO ASSURE COATING ADHERENCE.
COATING PREPARATION - SHEET METAL
REPAIRED SHEETMETAL
1. Scuff sand (No. 180 Grit Paper) the glossy surface of the painted areas to be coated.
2. Using a clean, lint-free cloth, solvent wipe the area to be coated with wax and grease remover.
3. Remove sanding dust using compressed air and lint-free tack cloth.
NEW SHEET METAL
1. Sand off (No. 180 Grit Paper) the prime paint in the area to be coated.
2. Using a lint-free cloth, solvent wipe the area to be coated with wax and grease remover.
3. Remove sanding dust using compressed air and a lint-free tack cloth.
NEW INSTALLATION
1. The glossy surface of the paint in the coating area must be sanded with a D/A sander. A 220/240 Grit Disc does a good, fast job. DO NOT sand through the primer.
2. Using a clean, lint-free cloth, solvent wipe the area to be coated with wax and grease remover.
3. Remove sanding dust using compressed air and a lint-free tack cloth.
SPRAY PROCEDURE
The lower exposed painted fender, rocker, and quarter panel down flanges should be protected. The vehicle must be elevated high enough so that the painter can spray this area effectively. When an initial installation is to be made, a remote two-quart capacity pressure cup makes a much more efficient tool, as the spray gun can be used closer to the floor. The spray gun, fluid hose and/or cup must be cleaned immediately after use. Refer to manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedure. Lacquer thinner can be used when the suggested clean up material is unavailable.
WARNING: WEAR A NOISHA/MSHA RECOMMENDED VAPOR/PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR AND USE ALL OTHER RECOMMENDED SAFETY EOUIPMENT.
1. After preparing the new or damaged area(s), mix either Epoxy primer or Self-etch prime, per manufacturer's label instructions, and spray bare metal areas.
^ BASF DE15 or DE17
^ Sikkens Metalflex CR Primer (1 coat only)
^ DuPont Variprime
^ S-W E2G 980 GBP Etching Filler
^ PPG DP 40 (only)
2. Apply 1-2 light prime coats over the bare metal areas.
3. Allow the material to dry for 15-20 minutes before applying the anti-stone abrasion material.
4. Mix and apply anti-stone abrasion material per manufacturer's label instructions over the primed area.
NOTE: AN ORANGE PEELED FINISH IS NORMAL WITH THESE PRODUCTS.
^ BASF Glassohyd 1109-1240/6
^ Sikkens 0TO Bodycoat
^ DuPont 123-5 Vinyl
^ S-W G/W 295 Vinyl Gravel Guard
^ PPG DX 54 Roadguard
^ 3M Rocker Schutz
NOTE: SOME ANTI-STONE ABRASION MATERIAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT MIXING PREPARATION, PROCEDURE AND APPLICATION. SOME ANTI-STONE ABRASION MATERIALS CAN NOT BE USED FOR SPOT REPAIR. CHECK WITH THE PAINT MANUFACTURER FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT.
5. Allow the stone abrasion material to dry. Heat can be used to accelerate the drying time. Check the manufacturer's instructions.
COLOR COAT
The complete coated area, as well as the upper raw edge, must be covered with color coat. Mask off the upper margin line using "Fine Line" tape positioned 1/16 inch above the coating edge. Using appropriate service paint and application procedures, the protective coating area can now be finish painted with monocoat or a basecoat/clearcoat urethane system.
NOTE: IF DAMAGED SHEET METAL EXTENDS ABOVE THE PROTECTIVE COATING AREA, NORMAL PRIME/COLOR PAINT PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.
CAUTION: OUR ENVIRONMENT IS PRECIOUS - PLEASE USE PROPER DISPOSAL TECHNIQUES FOR ANY VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (V.O.C.'s) OR EXCESS MATERIALS.
Figure 4:
Refer to the Lower Body Stone Protection Chart, Figure 4, for the material and labor hours involved.