Paint - No Clearcoat Blending

Article No. 03-3-7

BODY-PAINT-NO CLEARCOAT BLENDING-COLLISION MANUAL CHANGE

FORD: 2002-2003 FOCUS, TAURUS, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION,
EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT, EXPLORER, RANGER, SUPER DUTY F SERIES

LINCOLN: 2002-2003 LS, BLACKWOOD, NAVIGATOR
2003 AVIATOR

MERCURY: 2002-2003 SABLE, MOUNTAINEER

ISSUE
A paragraph in the Collision Repair Manual discussing clearcoat blending was not edited correctly.

ACTION
This article provides corrected information relating to Ford Policy on clearcoat blending.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Paragraph Currently As Written In Manual:

Using A Blending Clear
The use of a blending clear is a technique that is recommended for blending when a small repair is being performed. A blending clear is simply a slow reducer with a small amount of clearcoat material. The blending clear is applied directly on to the blend edge. The idea behind using a slow reducer in the blending is that it will cause the blend area to melt into the existing paint surface.

Paragraph Should Be Written As:

Use Of Blending Clearcoat
Ford Motor Company does not condone the procedure of blending clearcoat or using blending clearcoat in any warranty or collision repair. Paint Companies and Vehicle Manufactures agree that a repair using this material and procedure is not robust after time in service. Over time the edge will begin to lift and discolor making the edge around the repair very noticeable. The preferred process is to blend the basecoat color as necessary then clearcoat the entire panel.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 106000