How will plastic parts on Maverick bed hold up to sun?

[Hingeman]

So I live in Phoenix. The sun here eats plastic alive. I am wondering how well the plastic on the bed and behind the cab will hold up. It would suck to have it bleach out In year or less.
Any thoughts?

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[PapaDave]

So I live in Phoenix. The sun here eats plastic alive. I am wondering how well the plastic on the bed and behind the cab will hold up. It would suck to have it bleach out In year or less.
Any thoughts?

Good question. I bought a ceramic coating kit for plastic auto trim by Cerakote. I am going to apply it to my Mazda this coming weekend to test it out. It is supposed to protect it from UV light and has other protective qualities. Said to last 200 car washes. Been thinking of same thing for my Maverick trim as soon as I get it. If interested, look it or similar item(s) up on YouTube.

 

[Harleyguy001]

So I live in Phoenix. The sun here eats plastic alive. I am wondering how well the plastic on the bed and behind the cab will hold up. It would suck to have it bleach out In year or less.
Any thoughts?

As a former GM plastics materials engineer, I can tell you that Ford and GM do much of their testing and evaluations pretty equally, and utilize similar if not identical test methods and requirements. I spent a lot of time at GM's Mesa Proving Grounds doing exactly what you are referring to. Plastics (and for that matter any material) are designed to withstand a minimum of 10 years exposure without noticeable degradation. That means you won't see color change, fading, chalking, checking, cracking, exudates, etc. All the polymers are UV and heat stabilized to withstand the effects of UV radiation, moisture, and heat, which all combine to cause damage to polymeric materials. BTW, that bed coating is a 2-component polyurethane specifically formulated for outdoor applications, and the plastic bed-surrounds are probably heavily UV stabilized.

 

[Delzona]

So I live in Phoenix. The sun here eats plastic alive. I am wondering how well the plastic on the bed and behind the cab will hold up. It would suck to have it bleach out In year or less.
Any thoughts?

I was thinking the same thing living here in Tucson. Paint jobs and plastic certainly don't survive long here in the heat so I'm going to go for an aftermarket tonneau cover once I have the Mav.

 

[Hingeman]

As a former GM plastics materials engineer, I can tell you that Ford and GM do much of their testing and evaluations pretty equally, and utilize similar if not identical test methods and requirements. I spent a lot of time at GM's Mesa Proving Grounds doing exactly what you are referring to. Plastics (and for that matter any material) are designed to withstand a minimum of 10 years exposure without noticeable degradation. That means you won't see color change, fading, chalking, checking, cracking, exudates, etc. All the polymers are UV and heat stabilized to withstand the effects of UV radiation, moisture, and heat, which all combine to cause damage to polymeric materials. BTW, that bed coating is a 2-component polyurethane specifically formulated for outdoor applications, and the plastic bed-surrounds are probably heavily UV stabilized.

Thank you for all of the info

 

[tngreg]

303 Protection might help in between car washes.

 

[dvibs07]

So I live in Phoenix. The sun here eats plastic alive. I am wondering how well the plastic on the bed and behind the cab will hold up. It would suck to have it bleach out In year or less.
Any thoughts?

as the guy above me said, 303 UV protectant spray will become your friend. Apply between washes.

 

[flashfearless]

303 Protection might help in between car washes.

I second 303 for UV protection without the goo of that Armor Crack

 

[SgtLip]

So I live in Phoenix. The sun here eats plastic alive. I am wondering how well the plastic on the bed and behind the cab will hold up. It would suck to have it bleach out In year or less.
Any thoughts?

That was my initial concern as well. But then I remembered Adam's Polishes has a few products worth considering. First and best on my opinion is Ceramic Coating. They also have a Black Trim Restorer that is awesome. https://adamspolishes.com/collectio...-products/products/adam-s-black-trim-restorer
They have other products as well, that's just two.

 

[Fish Chris]

It may fade and craze over time...

But there is this spray on stuff called Bulldawg. It is basically a super adhesive primer, that sticks to anything, including plastic, glass and chrome. It can then be sprayed with any kind of paint, or bed liner, whatever you want to use to refinish the plastic. Knowing this (and having used it) I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[dano0726]

Having owned a Jeep Wrangler with plastic fender flares for almost 11 years, I have only found one product -- Flood Penetrol at HomeDepot -- that will keep my bumpers/flares black and is very long lasting...

Glove up/Goggle up and apply in a ventilated area -- you won't be disappointed...

 

[motoretro]

303 Protection might help in between car washes.

I still have some of the old 303 before the company was sold. I can't speak for the new stuff although the older product was the best I've used. I actually use it on the vinyl shutters on my house.....every 6-7 years. Shutters still look like new and were installed 20 years ago.

 

[Larrythelunatic]

Having owned a Jeep Wrangler with plastic fender flares for almost 11 years, I have only found one product -- Flood Penetrol at HomeDepot -- that will keep my bumpers/flares black and is very long lasting...

Glove up/Goggle up and apply in a ventilated area -- you won't be disappointed...

Penetrol has been around for a long time. Folks have been using it on old faded gelcoat on boats. But it has to be applied quite often, depending on how far south one is.
More Sun……more often.
Here in New England, once a year would probably do it.

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