My Marauder Repaint [Archive] - MercuryMarauder.net Forums

Smokie

01-20-2004, 11:39 AM

I completed the arrangements with my local Ford dealer to have my car repainted under warranty. Logan gave me the courage to go thru with it.

The thought of having the car out of my control for up to 4 weeks gives me a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach but I have little choice since the paint is coming off my car one tiny little pit at a time and in some areas it looks like it has a bad case of dandruff.

The work is scheduled to begin on Monday the 26th, today my service advisor took me thru a tour of their facility and showed me the different stages of the job and how they remove trim pieces to insure proper coverage; also showed me the 5 downdraft paint booths they utilize, he told me to stop by any time to check in on the process and I believe he understood my pain over this whole mess, he knows this is not just a car to me and seems commited to oversee the project to ensure quality work.

Having said all that I am still very worried that something will go wrong, that is just my nature and I can't help worrying about it. :alone:

TAF

01-20-2004, 11:51 AM

Javier...

Good for you. And don't be worried....you've clearly communicated to the SM that you are not a passive owner, but an enthusiast. It will be fine...if it's not...keep handing it back to him to make it right. One of the common problems I think we all have is the paint thickness on the sides and the lack of proper clear-coat. I know, I know...thicker on the hood, roof and rear decklid is SOP to take the heat of the sun...but when my paint on the side was measured (what's that thingy they do it with?) I was told the sides were VERY thin. A better clear-coat layer will also help reduce scratches.

Be sure you address these specifics and you'll get back a car that will be the envy of us all.

Smokie

01-20-2004, 12:01 PM

Thanks Todd, I will think only good thoughts. Javier :burnout:

Dr Caleb

01-20-2004, 12:09 PM

The work is schedule to begin on Monday the 26th, today my service advisor took me thru a tour of their facility and showed me the different stages of the job and how they remove trim pieces to insure proper coverage; also showed me the 5 downdraft paint booths they utilize, he told me to stop by any time to check in on the process and I believe he understood my pain over this whole mess, he knows this is not just a car to me and seems commited to oversee the project to ensure quality work.

Congrats! My service advisor drew me the mental picture of their paint facilities as some guy who's been there for 15 years with a brush and a roller working in the corner of the shop.

I was not impressed.

Javier...
(what's that thingy they do it with?) I was told the sides were VERY thin. A better clear-coat layer will also help reduce scratches.

Magnetic paint depth gauge.

I can see green primer in my rear door jambs. If my paint was any thinner, my car would be green. My SA wanted to compare the depth of my paint to the two other Marauders on the lot. I laughed and said "Why don't compare the paint on my MM to my '92 CV?" which has seen 11 winters, 5 windshields and has *dents* in the roof from rocks, but no chips in the paint. He said he'd call when they got the gauge from another dealer. That was 2 months ago. :sleepy:

prchrman

01-20-2004, 12:18 PM

Smokie...got the same thing...little pits all over the hood, top and trunk...taking to dealer Friday...guy who talked to my wife when she took it in last week said they were having all kinds of problems with the paint on the MMs and GMs...he said should not be an issue because they had already redone some cars...it is just a shame a specialty vehicle like ours would not have a good skin on it...that is just a lack of attention to detail...it's not like painting is a new science...been going on for years...and they can not make it right on a up scale model like the MM...shame on Mercury...love the car-hate the paint...willie :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Big Red

01-20-2004, 12:24 PM

Is the paint defect only on the 03 models or is it also on the 04? Mine is a 04 and I just wanted to know what I should be looking for, as of now I don't see anything that really concerns me.

tbore007

01-20-2004, 12:38 PM

hey smokie..good luck, hope it works out for ya..i think we all know that feeling....

Logan

01-20-2004, 12:50 PM

In my experience, it's mostly 08/02-09/02 300A's that have had the most paint problems...The 06/02 cars have awesome paint, and it seemed to have gotten better past 10/02...

Big Red

01-20-2004, 01:04 PM

OK Logan, Thanks

Dr Caleb

01-20-2004, 01:22 PM

In my experience, it's mostly 08/02-09/02 300A's that have had the most paint problems...The 06/02 cars have awesome paint, and it seemed to have gotten better past 10/02...

Mine was built 12/02 :(

Ross

01-20-2004, 02:01 PM

In my experience, it's mostly 08/02-09/02 300A's that have had the most paint problems...The 06/02 cars have awesome paint, and it seemed to have gotten better past 10/02...

That explains a lot. I have never heard an explanation before about the different paint for different time periods. I have a 06/02 build car, and I really haven't had that much in the way of paint problems. Granted, the paint still isn't as good as GM cars that I have had, but certainly nothing as bad as what others are experiencing.

prchrman

01-20-2004, 02:18 PM

mine was built 08/02 so that explains the pain...

Smokie

01-20-2004, 04:14 PM

mine was built 08/02 so that explains the pain...

Willie, I feel your pain. I remember in Atlanta we talked about the problems with the paint job in our cars, mine has actually gotten worse since I last saw you.
I don't think there is a choice but to pursue and resolve this problem or our cars will be two-tone and the near future. Javier. :shake:

sb2463

01-20-2004, 08:20 PM

I Think a lot of the early paint problems were them sitting on dealer lots all over the country for many months and lots of demos

jgc61sr2002

01-20-2004, 08:55 PM

Javier - Good luck with the paint job. Sounds like the dealership knows what they are doing. Keep us posted. :up:

Smokie

01-30-2004, 11:10 AM

Javier - Good luck with the paint job. Sounds like the dealership knows what they are doing. Keep us posted. :up:
Thanks, I'm going to see it this afternoon and take pictures.

Smokie

01-30-2004, 04:27 PM

Depressing isn't it ?

Smokie

01-30-2004, 06:25 PM

While at the paint shop today I asked the service advisor if he would mind bringing out the paint thickness gauge, we went over my car, the hood averaged from a high of 7 mil to a low of 4.1, the roof averaged about 4.5, the sides the same, the trunk lid about 5.4. The advisor told that when job is done the average should be about 6-7 mil.

carfixer

01-30-2004, 06:45 PM

Javier, with the front of your car taken apart like that, it looks like you hit the retaining wall at a race track or something:coolman: .:lol:

Smokie

01-31-2004, 09:11 AM

Javier, with the front of your car taken apart like that, it looks like you hit the retaining wall at a race track or something:coolman: .:lol:
Claude, not a pretty picture. I keep telling myself it will be alright. :shake:

Smokie

02-06-2004, 04:09 PM

Went by today to check on my car, the top surfaces have been stripped and re-primed. The whole car will be sanded down next and then the painting will start next week. Now I know how some of you guys felt when you were without your cars...it's really tough.

jgc61sr2002

02-06-2004, 04:52 PM

Sounds like all is going well. :coolman:

Smokie

02-09-2004, 11:16 AM

Went by today to check on progress, the roof has been painted, the car was outside in the sun and it looks good, it has a uniform glass like reflection.

I spoke with the glass and trim man, and he said the there are 2 stages next, the hood and trunk lid is next, then the sides of the car. Anyway I have more anxious waiting left to do, but the end is in sight.

TAF

02-09-2004, 11:21 AM

I wonder why they are painting it in stages Javier:confused:

Any reason?

gonzo50

02-09-2004, 02:20 PM

I wonder why they are painting it in stages Javier:confused:

Any reason?
"Ditto" :confused:

Smokie

02-09-2004, 02:29 PM

I wonder why they are painting it in stages Javier:confused:

Any reason?
Todd, the painter felt he could do a better job starting at the top and working down in stages, he said they usually shoot the whole car at once, but they don't get the best results that way, he stated there is more of a chance something won't be quite right when you shoot whole car at once.

I have been assured by the people that work there this guy is the best, I don't know enough about it; so I am aceppting that they are doing their best and know what they are doing. The results will tell.:alone: Javier.

Fourth Horseman

02-09-2004, 03:34 PM

carfixer

02-09-2004, 04:08 PM

Javier, I can't wait to see that bad boy. You must getting pretty anxious.

Smokie

02-09-2004, 04:20 PM

It's rough seeing your baby all taken apart, huh? After my wreck when they got all the damaged parts off of mine the car looked so skeletal. But it all came back together. I'm sure when you're done you're going to have paint the rest of us will be jealous of! Keep us posted on your progress.
Thanks Fourth, I know you went thru a very long period of suffering as your repairs were being done and I thought about you when I turned my car over to the dealer.

I believe they are really trying to do for me more than just a bring it in, sand it and shoot it; in and out in 2-3 days. No molding, no seal or gasket, no trim remains on my car, the final painting will be done with no windshield or rear glass. They are trying to shoot only on metal, there should be no tape lines or oversprayed trim or seal/gasket.
It has the potential to look every bit as good as factory, maybe if I am fortunate better. :beer:

Smokie

02-09-2004, 04:22 PM

Javier, I can't wait to see that bad boy. You must getting pretty anxious.
Oh yeah, very. very anxious.:eek:

teamrope

02-09-2004, 07:48 PM

Smokie, in those first pics she looks so.....exposed and vulerable :eek:

Glad to see they are making progress. I have a feeling that in a few years I will have to do the paint. From what I've read, the paint hasn't improved sence 98, and the wifes mistaque's paint looks like $h!t. The crackeling pattern reminds one of vinyl.

jgc61sr2002

02-09-2004, 08:38 PM

Javier - Removing the windshiled and rear glass is truly the way to go. The results should be a high quality job. The wait will be well worth it. :up:

TAF

02-09-2004, 08:58 PM

Todd, the painter felt he could do a better job starting at the top and working down in stages, he said they usually shoot the whole car at once, but they don't get the best results that way, he stated there is more of a chance something won't be quite right when you shoot whole car at once.

I have been assured by the people that work there this guy is the best, I don't know enough about it; so I am aceppting that they are doing their best and know what they are doing. The results will tell.:alone: Javier.
Don't get me wrong Javier, about 2 things.

It's obvious your car is in good hands (I'd just never really heard of doing a whole car in "sections"...but I'm not an expert, either)

and 2...

I'M JEALOUS!!!!! :mad2:

Smokie

02-10-2004, 08:52 AM

Javier - Removing the windshiled and rear glass is truly the way to go. The results should be a high quality job. The wait will be well worth it. :up:
Thanks, I believe they are trying to do better than average, they are well aware how important this car is to me, I think there is a good chance the results will really please me.:D Javier.

Todd, You have the car I dream about....one day maybe.:coolman:

Smokie

02-12-2004, 05:28 PM

The end is in sight, my car has been completely repainted and it looks really nice. Now it still has to be put back together and there is still the possibility there will be some unforeseen problem.
I spent some time there today talking with the painter, glass and trim man and my service rep. and it looks like I should get the car back this coming monday. I can hardly wait. :bounce:

jaywish

02-13-2004, 09:43 AM

I can only say that at least ford steped up here and authorized the right kind of job.

Any other way and the results would be a cheap repaint that would give you problems before the life of the car was over. This could work out really well. Everthing you have posted so far about the job gets a :up:

Jay

Smokie

02-13-2004, 10:40 AM

Thanks Jay. I am stopping by this afternoon to take pictures.

Smokie

02-13-2004, 03:53 PM

Went by this afternoon to check on progress and was very pleased with what I found, there are some door side moldings that they ordered new have not arrived yet, the car needs to be cleaned and detailed and my service rep. does a final inspection to make sure that all functions are working and there are no problems. I have some pictures below, the car is dirty but I think you can tell it looks well. I feel so much better.:D

jgc61sr2002

02-13-2004, 04:01 PM

Javier - Looks good. :up:

Smokie

02-13-2004, 04:12 PM

Javier - Looks good. :up:
Thank you very much, I do feel better.:D

teamrope

02-13-2004, 04:20 PM

Looks good Javier! I love happy endings :D

Smokie

02-13-2004, 04:27 PM

Looks good Javier! I love happy endings :D
Thanks, I hope you get that 70 degree weather soon so you can put on your SS inserts :D I have mine in a drawer waiting for my boy to come home.:banana2:

jettle

02-13-2004, 04:35 PM

Thanks, I hope you get that 70 degree weather soon so you can put on your SS inserts :D I have mine in a drawer waiting for my boy to come home.:banana2:

Yeah she looks real good. Its like starting over new again :up:

Enjoy!

Jeff

TAF

02-13-2004, 04:44 PM

WOW!!! I'm envious Javier :up::up:

Smokie

02-13-2004, 04:44 PM

Yeah she looks real good. Its like starting over new again :up:

Enjoy!

Jeff
Thanks Jeff, you are right is kinda like when I bought him and was waiting for delivery. :bounce: Javier.

Fourth Horseman

02-13-2004, 04:47 PM

Smokie

02-13-2004, 04:57 PM

Yeah, looks great! My advice would be to make sure that the detail shop does not try to buff out the paint or anything. When I got my car back it had swirl marks everywhere . Seriously, those bastages at the detail shop even swirled the paint in the indentations underneath the door handles. The weather has been too ugly this winter for me to do anything about that, but this spring I've got a nice full day of buffing and polishing by hand to correct their "work."
:mad2:

Anyway, your car looks stellar, bud! Congrats!!! :banana2:
Thanks, I agree. I have been very fortunate with my service rep. he already told me the interior would be detailed but the outside would be rinsed with water only and dried with a chamois cloth under his supervision, no machine or chemicals would be allowed, he actually said this to me before I even brought it up. He told me paint needs to cure and harden before any chemicals or sealants are applied and no buffers. :coolman:

Smokie

02-17-2004, 03:31 PM

My Boy is Home.:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

It finally happen, the repaint is complete and is like falling in love all over again. To provide a critical unbiased review of the paint job will take some time because I have to hand wash it and observe under the full Florida sunshine.

First impressions: The paint looks thicker, feels thicker (paint depth guage confirms my sensory perception), reflection matches factory finish.

Negatives: There are about 3 or 4 places in entire car where some dust settled on clearcoat while still wet.
Car needs to be detailed by me, to my standards.

Positives: No more missing paint, no swirls marks, no scratches.
Factory warranty on paint job= 3 years (subject to dealers approval)
My new warranty on paint job: For as long as I own the car.
The decision to have car repainted was a very difficult one to make, it appears that based on my results; it was the right decision.:up:

Bigdogjim

02-17-2004, 04:40 PM

Congrats! It does look real good in the pictures!!

How long was it?? 4 weeks??

Enjoy!!!

Smokie

02-17-2004, 05:17 PM

Congrats! It does look real good in the pictures!!

How long was it?? 4 weeks??

Enjoy!!!
Thanks, I can hardly wait until Saturday, I'm going to detail it. It took 22 days from start to finish.

jgc61sr2002

02-17-2004, 05:53 PM

Javier - Congrats. I am glad to see the paint job turned out great. :D :beer:

Smokie

02-17-2004, 06:11 PM

Javier - Congrats. I am glad to see the paint job turned out great. :D :beer:Thanks John, I hope this Saturday is a bright sunny day, I'm going to slick-up my boy and take some pictures and post in the gallery.

martyo

02-17-2004, 06:23 PM

I'm going to slick-up my boy and take some pictures and post in the gallery.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

TAF

02-17-2004, 06:26 PM

Ignore him ^^^, like I do Javier...he's like a 3rd grade boy in level of sense of humor (except for why I didn't get HIM a Ford GT poster...man...you should read the PMs :bigcry: :bigcry: :bigcry: like a 3rd grade little girl)

Congrats!!! You're patience was well paid off.:banana2: :up: :beer:

I can't wait to see it in person. I'm envious of anyone who gets a REAL paint job over what the WOPAR (anyone get the reference?) did for our cars at STAP.

Bigdogjim

02-17-2004, 06:30 PM

[QUOTE=TAF]Ignore him ^^^, like I do Javier...he's like a 3rd grade boy in level of sense of humor (except for why I didn't get HIM a Ford GT poster...man...you should read the PMs):mad2:

Not highjack this thread but I got two GT posters how many you want???

Red GT on one side white GT on the other:up: :banana2: :banana2:

Sorry Somkie:beer:

Smokie

02-17-2004, 07:13 PM

Congrats!!! You're patience was well paid off.:banana2: :up: :beer:

I can't wait to see it in person. I'm envious of anyone who gets a REAL paint job over what the WOPAR (anyone get the reference?) did for our cars at STAP.
Todd, you will get to see in person for sure at Indy, maybe sooner, I want to pay Dennis a visit this spring, if some financial things work out for me, I may get some toys for my boy, Dennis is not far from you.

Yes, Marty I call Smokie my boy, that what my wife named him the day we picked him up at the dealer. And he is back home were he belongs.:D