Dirt staining INTO the paint - Warranty? Cleaning?

[mfergel]

Has anyone else had this issue? I've had it since getting the vehicle and it's getting worse. It's almost as if the paint is porous, but just on the bumper. The dirt seems to be staining INTO the paint. I've tried a few different cleaners but no success. It's waxed but still not really helping. I'm sure if I try to claim warranty that they will blame it on me, but it's not happening elsewhere on the truck.

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[OleFordGuy]

hard to tell from pic. sorta looks like some kind of cleaner or other type liquid is draining down from behind the plastic trim, maybe not rinsed away well. Have you used anything cleaning? Auto car wash chemicals? I have no idea. Hope ya get it all worked out.

 

[mfergel]

hard to tell from pic. sorta looks like some kind of cleaner or other type liquid is draining down from behind the plastic trim, maybe not rinsed away well. Have you used anything cleaning? Auto car wash chemicals? I have no idea. Hope ya get it all worked out.

It's definitely dirt as I'll also have the dirt trails running down from other areas where the water runs off the vehicle (like at the door handles, gas tank lid, etc). The dirt is really coming from just everyday use. My driveway has a slight slant sideways, so when I park, any dirt from the grill, deck lid, etc tends to run to the drivers side when it rains. No cleaner or liquids draining. I use fairly decent cleaning supplies (Chemical Guys, Auto Geek, etc). I don't want to try anything caustic to try and remove it, but even using bug and tar remover doesn't seem to do anything as it is in the paint. My biggest concern is this is after two years and it's just going to keep getting worse, so I have a feeling at some point the bumper is going to need to be repainted.

 

[Cherokee]

Take it to Ford,
Then update us.

 

[TrailMaster]

hard to tell from pic. sorta looks like some kind of cleaner or other type liquid is draining down from behind the plastic trim, maybe not rinsed away well. Have you used anything cleaning? Auto car wash chemicals? I have no idea. Hope ya get it all worked out.

Agree with the hard to tell from the pic statement. Has that area been covered with a vinyl paint protection like VViVid? If so, it may have been installed with some gaps or bubbles around the upper edge allowing dirty water to get in.

https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Clear...ix=paint+vynil+tape+protective,aps,273&sr=8-8

 

[710-oil-614]

Are those OEM headlights?

 

[mfergel]

Agree with the hard to tell from the pic statement. Has that area been covered with a vinyl paint protection like VViVid? If so, it may have been installed with some gaps or bubbles around the upper edge allowing dirty water to get in.

https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Clear-Protection-Choose-Including/dp/B01LY0GIZV/ref=sr_1_8?crid=25XZDLRN3C1UL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WxVVszHpIh3woWFVMly6lsgELnazsuyaehj0ULKWG80mtQpQGg_cYS3u0xhIrW614VQHt5te1BKiKyWE8TVWBXJLf5fjh1NjobkZZ9KCpiDIbg4JyD1JodUgtP1bXPM1ZH2tIt46GkihuT67oT3G2Cyw9s1oH7cjCZU6SC4Oydz--yCY0CbigZkq37m6c5a1InDRxyGkp1_eSdWt6zZKW9cfDeOpjQeDijABxZh0xv2D0dZNS1ykwwDMCvmOsxDbV2yUnOAHf6EY97mqbvjOr7UjkNcxhIxNKPer6aXyOQw.w9_FlNzekQsTBVDMtLysCT1g7UeiQJ9V90wB56tGTDQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=paint+vinyl+tape+protective&qid=1754404638&sprefix=paint+vynil+tape+protective,aps,273&sr=8-8

Nope. Nothing. Really haven't done anything differently with this vehicle that I've done with the last several and never had any issues. Only thing different that I can think of (and I don't fully know what Ford does in their process) but every other vehicle I've had has been metallic, so I'm guessing two stage for those (metallic base coat and clear coat) where I'm guessing with this being solid white, it's a single stage paint process. I'm really feeling like the reason is that the paint isn't thick enough. I've already got several chips here and there where you can see it's pretty thin.

 

[mfergel]

Are those OEM headlights?

Yes, 2023 though so they'd be different than yours. Also a Lariat, so it has upgraded lights from the XL and XLT.

 

[710-oil-614]

Yes, 2023 though so they'd be different than yours. Also a Lariat, so it has upgraded lights from the XL and XLT.

Understood on the differences - just trying to troubleshoot.

It does look like something seeping out and onto the bumper cover. I did not have that issue with my avalanche gray Tremor nor my 2025 EG Lariat.

 

[cyberdog]

Have you tried a clay bar? - They excel at pulling out dirt & contamination from paint. (Use with a detailer or clay lube). If that removes it, wash off any residue lube, and apply a product that seals paint.

 

[h1k3rb]

Even basic white paint has a clear coat over it, all very thin, yes. Despite the reflections I can see the vertical lines where water runs down. Have had good luck getting off such stains, etc using Meguiar's cleaner wax.

 

[Maverick123]

There's one thing you can try and it's really inexpensive - there's a cleaning spray sold at Dollar stores called LA's Totally Awesome Cleaner. It's $1.25 for a bottle IIRC and I use it to get "zebra striping" off my white gutters. It's the ONLY thing I've found which works and it's completely effortless: just spray on, brush really lightly and hose off. The stains on your bumper are hard to see in pictures but it looks similar.

I've used it full-strength on painted wheels and it hasn't damaged the finish.

Worth a try for $1.25 ...

EDIT: They make a few different cleaners, the one I use is the yellow "all purpose concentrated cleaner" that looks a bit like Prestone, and I use it full strength to get rid of those black streaks

 

[mfergel]

Have you tried a clay bar? - They excel at pulling out dirt & contamination from paint. (Use with a detailer or clay lube). If that removes it, wash off any residue lube, and apply a product that seals paint.

I have not. Worth trying though. I was thinking of trying Sonax wheel cleaner on it. Supposed to be paint safe and pulls out contaminants like brake dust. Apprehensive about spraying it directly on paint though.

 

[mfergel]

Even basic white paint has a clear coat over it, all very thin, yes. Despite the reflections I can see the vertical lines where water runs down. Have had good luck getting off such stains, etc using Meguiar's cleaner wax.

I think I have some of that. I'll have to double check.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Auto car wash chemicals?! Can't claim warranty on that...

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