Paint Defects on New Mustang – Need Help Capturing Scratches in Photos

[FlyingPig]

Hi all,


I recently took delivery of my brand-new Mustang (sexy molten magenta) and drove it directly from the dealership to my detailer for PPF and ceramic coating. The car stayed undercover the entire time, and hasn't been driven or exposed to the elements since delivery.


During the PPF prep stage, the detailer noticed a number of paint defects, including:

• Micro-scratches on the roof and bonnet – visible only under sunlight or inspection lights.
• Clear coat inconsistencies around the windscreen and passenger-side window.
• A section of paint bubbling on the bonnet, which prevented PPF from being applied there.

He believes these issues were likely pre-existing from factory or transport. I’ve raised this with the dealership, and they’ve asked for photos — but I’m struggling to capture the micro-scratches clearly, as they don’t show up well in normal lighting or on camera.


Any tips for photographing these kinds of defects?

• What lighting angle or tools work best? (note - i wont have specific tools as such)
• Would a DSLR or phone with manual exposure settings help?
• Any other tips/thoughts ?

I’m also expecting a detailed report from the detailer soon, but I’d like to have some visual documentation to support the case in the meantime.

Appreciate any advice from detailers or others who’ve had to document this sort of thing before!


Thanks,

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[Winnie]

Hi all,


I recently took delivery of my brand-new Mustang (sexy molten magenta) and drove it directly from the dealership to my detailer for PPF and ceramic coating. The car stayed undercover the entire time, and hasn't been driven or exposed to the elements since delivery.


During the PPF prep stage, the detailer noticed a number of paint defects, including:

Hi all,


I recently took delivery of my brand-new Mustang (sexy molten magenta) and drove it directly from the dealership to my detailer for PPF and ceramic coating. The car stayed undercover the entire time, and hasn't been driven or exposed to the elements since delivery.


During the PPF prep stage, the detailer noticed a number of paint defects, including:

• Micro-scratches on the roof and bonnet – visible only under sunlight or inspection lights.
• Clear coat inconsistencies around the windscreen and passenger-side window.
• A section of paint bubbling on the bonnet, which prevented PPF from being applied there.

He believes these issues were likely pre-existing from factory or transport. I’ve raised this with the dealership, and they’ve asked for photos — but I’m struggling to capture the micro-scratches clearly, as they don’t show up well in normal lighting or on camera.


Any tips for photographing these kinds of defects?

• What lighting angle or tools work best? (note - i wont have specific tools as such)
• Would a DSLR or phone with manual exposure settings help?
• Any other tips/thoughts ?

I’m also expecting a detailed report from the detailer soon, but I’d like to have some visual documentation to support the case in the meantime.

Appreciate any advice from detailers or others who’ve had to document this sort of thing before!


Thanks,

Hey, sorry to hear about the paint issues with your new Mustang. To capture those micro-scratches, try these:

1. Lighting: Take photos in direct sunlight or use a flashlight at a 45-degree angle to the paint. This helps highlight the defects.
2. Phone Settings: Use your phone's manual mode to lower exposure and increase contrast.
3. Clean First: Ensure the area is clean and dry before photographing.
4. Angles: Shoot from different angles to find the one that shows the defects best.
5. Detailer's Report: The detailed report from your detailer will be very important for your case.

Good luck getting this sorted with the dealership!

• Micro-scratches on the roof and bonnet – visible only under sunlight or inspection lights.
• Clear coat inconsistencies around the windscreen and passenger-side window.
• A section of paint bubbling on the bonnet, which prevented PPF from being applied there.

He believes these issues were likely pre-existing from factory or transport. I’ve raised this with the dealership, and they’ve asked for photos — but I’m struggling to capture the micro-scratches clearly, as they don’t show up well in normal lighting or on camera.


Any tips for photographing these kinds of defects?

• What lighting angle or tools work best? (note - i wont have specific tools as such)
• Would a DSLR or phone with manual exposure settings help?
• Any other tips/thoughts ?

I’m also expecting a detailed report from the detailer soon, but I’d like to have some visual documentation to support the case in the meantime.

Appreciate any advice from detailers or others who’ve had to document this sort of thing before!


Thanks,

 

[POHLHAMMER]

It's a Mustang, Not a Ferrari. If you can only see them with specialty lighting , I'd say just move on and enjoy it.

Mine has paint flaws too. Doubt there are many flawless ones out there. I know that isn't what you want to hear , but its my opinion. Don't let the car own you ,and drive it. Those are your cars unique birth marks.

I'm sure someone will come along shortly to "chicken little" this , so hang tight !

 

[fzman01]

Mines the same way. No bubbles or clear coat issues but tons of swirls and scratches all over. Probably a 1 step should fix it

 

[turtletim]

I also found two small blemishes on the mustang I received in June after the ceramic coating was applied. Looks like the paint was applied over small dust or sand particles. They are hard to see on the white car. I don't plan to do anything with it. However my detailer said they can be buffed out. Ford is becoming known for paint defects.

 

[Skye]

My car has PPF applied.

Upon taking receipt, I noted a few issues. One, a blemish on the side quarter; something rubbed against one very small area. Another, the door had been opened, someone slamming it into something else. Yet another, a paint run. Finally, some minor scratches associated with the level of vehicle.

To the blemish, I left it as-is. It was not noticeable enough to care about.

The point on the door, the ">" tip, I covered with a factory paint pen. As big as the head of a pin. The PPF I has installed does not wrap around this point.

The paint run, the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. You have to look to the underside of the panel.

Finally, the scratches were removed with a very modest polish, as part of the prep.

Each person is going to have a certain level of comfort with what they accept. I'm concerned with your car and the paint bubbling; conditions like this, they tend to worsen over time. This problem should be covered by the warranty. Regarding the clear coat inconsistencies, I'd like to see photos, how noticeable it is, or, if it can be measured with a paint gauge, while showing significant differences.

Attached is a link of the General Service Bulletin covering paint defects.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/gsb-23-7003-exterior-paint-warrantable-vs-not.202747/

Edit,

Regarding the scratches and removing those, ask yourself: who do you think will do a better job? The detailer, or the dealer? I suspect the detailer. Specific to this topic, I'd rather pay the detailer to remove those as part of their prep, than have the dealer rush to make something passable.

 

[DFB5.0]

All new cars, regardless of brand and price paint, have paint defects. It's just what happens when something is mass produces. And that also applies to brands such as Porche and Bentley. The reality is, vehicles coming out of Ford's American factories are abysmally bad in terms of paint quality and consistency.

I've had two Mustang's, my first was actually very good. My second painted in the same colour is the worst factory paint I have even laid my hands on....................shamefully bad. If a bloody Rav4 or Mazda hatchback can have good paint, why does Ford struggle with this, one of the oldest car companies in the world and they are still painting cars like its 1976?

So, in some ways, your vehicle is par for course. However, bubbling paint is NOT considered normal or acceptable. If you can't show this via photos, you will need to take it back to the dealer.

 

[turtletim]

Since I previously mentioned blemishes in my paint, thought I would follow up. My dealer body shop repaired two spots that ended up being defects or particles in the base color coat. They sanded down and replaced color only in the spot in question but then re-sprayed clear coat on the entire hood. My eyes are bad but looks ok as far as I can tell. Ford covered it under warranty.

 

[Frogdog1]

Ford does not know how to paint cars or trucks. I spent enough time with their paint superintendents, back in the day, to know. They were mean, stressed out people that felt unsupported by their own company. They were right. They treated me and my people, as a Tier 1 supplier well because we were trying to help them.

Apparently, Ford hasn't learned anything. My car is one big example of orange peel which other manufacturers have issues with too, but not all of them. I had a C5 Z06 that had an amazingly good paint job. The rest of the car was shit for quality which is the reason I got rid of it. It was a time bomb. I also had a 99 M series BMW and it has a great paint job as well. Painting correctly in mass production costs a ton of money.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I must have got my silver painted on a good day. No orange peel, clear coat is like glass. If there's defects I haven't spotted them yet.

If trying to photograph your defects, maybe have the PPF guys photograph them. Since they had the lighting to spot them in the first place. Ford does guarantee against paint defects to a certain degree I think.

 

[turtletim]

Agree Ford sucks with paint. My other cars are better. After looking under my garage lights, I can see the repair is not that great as well. Quit while I'm behind i think.

 

[LouG]

I'd be worried about paint bubbling, but the Ceramic coating people did paint correction first and it looks fine to me.

 

[BimmerDriver]

If you guys and gals knew what dealers do to their cars and the lack of care and attention that the "detail" or "prep" guys do, you would probably cry. It's best to just not think about it.

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