Paint problem w windstar 99

[Molobo]

Hello !
I am new here so please excuse errors.....also, not all that auto savy....BUT do have a problem.

My white, 99 Windstar has started to peel paint off the roof ! And because of that my roof is starting to rust. It started about a year ago and my Ford mechanic said there is nothing they can do....so I took it to three paint shops..........they want $550 - 625 to strip and properly paint the roof. They all agree it was a FAULT OF FORD. It has the same lousy paint job the silver ones had that were recallled in 98 and 99.
My car is in great condition, only $72 K and even still has the new auto smell.

What can I do? Shouldn't FORD help me pay for this?

[evolution]

As a AutoBody Tech myself. You are getting a Deal on the paint job. Make sure they Blend the vechile and even maybe buff the rest of the car. I would definately approach ford about this, but in doing so get all information about the recalls they already made from the 98-99. This way you dont go into the situation blind and have some form of leway with ford. Also take it to a Lawyer 1st and get him to look over it and see where you stand this way if Ford says NO you have a leg to stand on and maybe a new owner of a brand new Ford, or even better a Factory. lol... No I do think it is only fair that they pay for the repairs if it was a factory problem to begin with. I just recommend you do your leg work 1st then approach them, even if you wish to have the car done right away then atleast they can refund you what you paid.

[mark v]

I have seen this before with Ford, GM and Chrysler and few of them actually will warranty it if it is a widespread issue with a lot of vehicles.

Most of the time you are stuck paying to fix it your self.

I don't get it why people always expect a old vehicle that breaks down to always be covered under some warranty?

[Molobo]

Thanks evolution for the advice....
..MarkV, I would have never thought of a "contract" or such - except one of the paint shop techs suggested there might be a "hidden warranty" on paint jobs that FORD did not do right to begin with. And, since the car is in almost perfect condition otherwise, AND I have no intention of trading/selling it...why should I not be helped in correcting a problem FORD caused by a faulty job...they left out an entire step in the finish and now it has rust starting!

[mark v]

I really cant see how they left out a step in the paint process since these are painted via robots/people on assembly lines.

Explain what step they did not do?

[Molobo]

All three techs in three different shops said the manufaturer left out the presealer in the undercoat. My car's paint is lifting off in plate size slices... it started right in the middle of the roof under the rack, now there is a slice raising up on the front passenger corner of the roof. The techs said a bit of rain probably got under the paint where it had lifted.

[mark v]

So your whole van should be peeling then.

[Molobo]

A very small area is just beginning along the rim over on of the doors...and WHO is to say it won't all lift off? This peeling process has been going on who knows how long ...as I said it stared in the very middle of my van where I could not see. By the way, the "paint" remaining on the roof is a funny, watery shade of grayish white when you see it close up....noticed it yesterday when I was washing it. The word the techs used was PRIMER.
Now as I see it, I might just go ahead an have the entire thing re painted just to be on the safe side............could get nothing for a trade in now even if I wanted to !

[Molobo]

Have had some more time to go over the car when I washed it by hand. Can see there are small places starting here and there to peel on the body too...Tues. I am going to call the Ford Hotline. This is so frustrating.
I have taken such great care of it w extended warranty, maintenance, wax jobs, etc...........and now I have a car that runs like a champ, but is beginning to look like hell !

[mark v]

My Windstar is beginning to Rust, I have replaced the Transmission, Brakes, Power Steering Pump and a few other things, do you think Ford will give me my money back that I spent on repairing these items?