Plastic Body cladding on Expys!!!
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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Plastic Body cladding on Expys!!!
What up peeps??? I need to know if there are any pics out there to show what the plastic body cladding looks like after its been painted to match on the 03 and up expeditions. Thanks alot.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 575
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From: San Diego
Also look in my gallery, '03 XLT - all white. There are a few people on here who have had custom paintwork done. I will say that on some colors it looks a lot better (like white) but some I kinda like the black lowers (like blue). I guess it's all taste and what you are willing to spend. The Limiteds (AKA Ford Navigators) are the only new generation Expy's to come as a solid color, why, I don't know. Especially since Ford has payed out lots of $$$ to replace the crappy fading plastic body moldings.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 419
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From: Azzano Decimo, Italy
I painted them on the Expy. I didn't feel confortable about prying on the panels. But after talking to someone in the auto body business, I was told that the panels pop right off. I've had no problems with the paint flaking or chiping. I also don't wash my Expy at drive thru car washes, it's all done by handwash.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 575
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From: San Diego
Yeah, those panels are just held on by a two rows of push-screws. If you take your time and do it carefully it should be pretty easy to get them off.
I found this out the hard way when I came out to the parking lot after snowboarding alll day at Keystone to find my driver's door panel laying in the slush next to my truck. I had to fix a few push-screws and it popped right back on and haven't had a problem since (other than the small puncture in the panel)
I found this out the hard way when I came out to the parking lot after snowboarding alll day at Keystone to find my driver's door panel laying in the slush next to my truck. I had to fix a few push-screws and it popped right back on and haven't had a problem since (other than the small puncture in the panel)
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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AF Mezkin, Can you post some more detailed shots of your paint work? Maybe give us a feel for how the texture smooths out. Did you use aerosol cans or spray gun? I want to paint my to but i do not want the ruffer surface to look offset to the smooth body paint. Some colors probably look better than others. Yours looks great!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 419
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From: Azzano Decimo, Italy
It's too late in the day now, but I will try to take some close up pics tomorrow. I used a spray gun when I painted mine. My panels have about four coats of base and around three or four coats of clear. (thin coats)