Flaking on Lightning Front Grille

[Canada_Moose]

Hey Forum:

I have a two-part question here.

Part 1 - As shown in the photos, the paint or film on the front grille of my Lightning is peeling/flaking off. Any ideas why this is happening? I do off-road the truck as my summer cabin is in the backwoods in the middle of nowhere. I also do just standard car washes when the truck gets very dirty, nothing fancy. So, why is it flaking or peeling? Is this a potential defect at the manufacturing level?

Part 2 - UPGRADES! What are some good upgrades or accessories I should put on my Lightning to make the best EV truck on the market even better. Would love some insights from fellow Lightning owners to make the ride better and the truck look better.

Thanks, Lightning family.

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[Robert1380]

Holy crap! I’ve no clue what’s causing that but dang that’s bad. I’d be taking that truck to the dealer asap. Was your truck ceramic coated or did you use any kind of wax or sealant?

 

[Canada_Moose]

Holy crap! I’ve no clue what’s causing that but dang that’s bad. I’d be taking that truck to the dealer asap. Was your truck ceramic coated or did you use any kind of wax or sealant?

Ya, I brought it to the dealership, and they have never seen this before. The dealership rustproofed my Lightning when I bought it years ago. I live by the ocean, and my city salts the roads in the winter, so it's practically standard here to get this done. I never thought of it, but could this be a cause?

 

[RocketGhost]

It's a known issue for the grill paint on Platinums to flake off. There are several forum posts about it. The dealer should replace it under warranty but they may first try to blame it on road debris chipping it and starting the flaking.

 

[Randall Stephens]

Unacceptable.

 

[Robert1380]

Ya, I brought it to the dealership, and they have never seen this before. The dealership rustproofed my Lightning when I bought it years ago. I live by the ocean, and my city salts the roads in the winter, so it's practically standard here to get this done. I never thought of it, but could this be a cause?

I’m not sure but as we know salt is corrosive but I don’t see how that would affect the grill. Really weird. You’ll probably have to have it repainted then speak with a professional detailer. I’d try a good ceramic coat after you get it fixed.

 

[Canada_Moose]

It's a known issue for the grill paint on Platinums to flake off. There are several forum posts about it. The dealer should replace it under warranty but they may first try to blame it on road debris chipping it and starting the flaking.

Hey Rocket. The dealership knows. I have a feeling I'm going to get this kind of runaround at first. I'll try and find those other forum posts and see if there is any acknowledgement from Ford on the issue I can use to strengthen my argument, it's a manufacturing issue and under my warranty.

 

[Canada_Moose]

I’m not sure but as we know salt is corrosive but I don’t see how that would affect the grill. Really weird. You’ll probably have to have it repainted then speak with a professional detailer. I’d try a good ceramic coat after you get it fixed.

I like that idea. I'll look into it once I get this fixed. I want my awesome truck to look awesome again.

 

[MillieChliette]

I have some chips out of mine, but nothing like that! I planned to wrap it once it got bad enough.

If you get a replacement through warranty, ppf will protect it better than ceramic coat, I think

 

[FloridaMan655321]

Well now I'm glad my grill is plastic lol. Holy crap that is some impressive flaking.

 

[Robert1380]

I have some chips out of mine, but nothing like that! I planned to wrap it once it got bad enough.

If you get a replacement through warranty, ppf will protect it better than ceramic coat, I think

Yep I agree. That would be better.

 

[Firn]

Idk, hit it with a pressure washer a d let the chrome shine. Probably the first and only one that way

 

[Canada_Moose]

Idk, hit it with a pressure washer a d let the chrome shine. Probably the first and only one that way

That is my brother-in-law's opinion! He thinks the chrome looks better.

I'm trying to determine the best upgrades to make my Lightning better, at the top of the list is a body wrap if the dealership doesn't work out.

 

[Pottsie]

Keep us posted. I have the same exact issue and it’s as bad as yours. I haven’t had time to take it in to fight the dealer as I’m sure they will. The bottom is very bad. MY23 Platinum ER. I’ve been kicking myself not putting PPF on it when I purchased last March but I honestly didn’t think it would do what is happening. When I get it fixed I plan to do out the PPF on the entire front.

 

[Refactoringdr]

My platinum has had small chips (probably averaging around 2mm) from about mile 500, but nothing like this. I now have almost 90k miles so I'm well out of warranty. I would really like to see a CSP to replace these grills. After all, platinum was a nearly $100k vehicle. I expected a much higher quality of paint on this part.

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