shobiz Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 At 35k miles I had Ford replace all the tail lights due to the chrome-peeling issue. My car now has just over 50k miles and the replacement lights have peeled also. I have the Ford extended warranty (bumper to bumper, full warranty) that I paid $2k for that's in effect until 75k miles, but Ford says peeling tail lights are cosmetic and are not covered by the extended b-to-b warranty. I've taken it to two dealers so far, and they both say the same thing. Since you have to replace the ENTIRE tail-light assemblies to fix this "cosmetic" issue, which is pretty expensive, is there some recourse I can take? I know this is a very common issue and is certainly a manufacturer material defect, so it seems as consumers we should have some recourse for this, right? EkbergJen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Bad news, there really is no recourse. I have a set of tail lights that I have been trying to figure out a solution for the peeling chrome...still working on a fix. I believe that the problem isn't with the vendor, but the plastic that is chrome plated. Underneath the chrome the plastic is very, very slick, there is nothing for the chrome to adhere to when they are plated, and I believe this is causing the peeling. I have tried chrome tape, but the tape won't do the curves of the tails without some wrinkles, so I am still looking for a solution. Will let you know if I come up with a solution that works and looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 I swapped mine out for SEL tail lights. I love them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamsho Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 I had mine replaced under FORD's dime. The next time the peel, and I'm sure they will, SEL taillights are going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhyder Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 have you tried twitter? When i bought my 2013 SHO the myFord Sync system was awful - so many glitches. I blasted them on Twitter and they ended up giving me back 800 bucks. Twitter works - could also try posting on their Facebook page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esfoad Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Bad news' date=' there really is no recourse. I have a set of tail lights that I have been trying to figure out a solution for the peeling chrome...still working on a fix. I believe that the problem isn't with the vendor, but the plastic that is chrome plated. Underneath the chrome the plastic is very, very slick, there is nothing for the chrome to adhere to when they are plated, and I believe this is causing the peeling. I have tried chrome tape, but the tape won't do the curves of the tails without some wrinkles, so I am still looking for a solution. Will let you know if I come up with a solution that works and looks good. [/quote'] Many of us, myself included, have used Plastidip to cover the peeling area. Easy to apply and long lasting. Mine have gone through 3 winters and still look great. My car is Cinnamon and I used black Plastidip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 I am not very familiar with Plastidip, Does it come in other colors besides black? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Did some checking, Plastidip is available in a Metallic Silver....this may be the solution I've been looking for..going to order a can and try on the spare tail lights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Good luck! Can't wait to see how they come out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EcoBoostSHO Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Very interested in seeing how this goes. I'm on my second set of taillights as well and they look horrible. Oh and the Ford dealer says no go on a replacement again. I even asked for regular tail lights but as others have found out they won't even consider it. Ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Yeah, Ford messed up with the chrome taillights, still think a lot of the problem is the fact that the plastic under the chrome is so slippery that the chrome just doesn't adhere correctly to it. Will let you know how the Plastidip looks and works once it arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO Rod Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 The driver's outer taillight started to flake last night when I washed the car. My car is a 2011 with 12k miles on it, washed religiously. I hope this will give me the motivation I need to get the LED taillights wired up and installed.... -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 My first attempt at fixing was to use chrome tape in place of the chrome...wasn't pleased with the results, it took too many cuts to make the curves and didn't look right. Next attempt was to just use a small piece of the chrome tape to cover the area where the peeling was occurring...not bad, but not great because the chrome tape looks different from the shine of the chrome on the tail lights. Now waiting for the Plastidip to arrive and will attempt that. If I am pleased with that result I will tint the tails and replace mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Another idea would be to use a sheet of vinyl accross the whole fixture. Then, trim out the lens. Then you would have one piece all the way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 I've thought about that but with the seam between the chrome and the red part of the tail, it's very difficult to get the film to adhere. Also, the plastic would have to be completely removed to get a uniform look under the film....it's worth a try, but I'm finding that in certain spots the chrome is very difficult to get tiny particles off of the plastic, yet in other places in almost falls off...this is a challenging project...also, I discovered today that the Plasticdip I ordered is to be used on top of another color...so I ordered an aluminum color....I hope I can get a finish that looks good. But according to Plastidip, it only has about a 3 year life.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDesigns Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Does the chrome trim come off the tail light? If it can be removed and put back with adhesive, maybe I can help with using silver, red or black carbon fiber? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO Rod Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 The "chrome" trim appears to have been installed by either a vapor deposition or hydrographics process and is VERY thin. The chrome flakes off, or in the case of my car, slides off when drying my car following a wash. -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Rod is correct, I've had strips of the chrome come off by peeling, and almost any tape will remove the chrome. Never thought of the carbon fiber...I think for me the silver would be the best color choice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjhpadi Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Also, I'm still debating whether to tint the tail lights before attempting the Plastidip, or do the Plastidip and then tint them with Lamin-X... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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