Soft Trim Paint - ??

[austx]

My 05 Ev Blk - Ink Blk interior, has several areas where the trim paint is chipped, or the finish is rubbed off. The steering wheel audio thumb buttons showed a lot of wear when I got the car. I assumed "long thumbnail" abuse by the previous owner lady. The cruise control group had a little wear on the + button. I bought OEM replacements for each (might as well replace both while I'm in there.) I found the finish to be very soft on both of the original button groups - so soft that it could be "easily" removed with my thumbnail. I checked the replacements and they are too hard to be damaged by a nail scrape.

Another paint oddity is on the steering wheel Thunderbird emblem. The black surround is chipping away. The emblem is recessed, so nothing can touch it.

The other trim paint problem is the driver side armrest insert (the piece that houses the door and window switches.) The edging around the recess (where you grip to pull the door closed) also has wear and soft paint.

I could photo these areas in a small detail, but the impression would be "old and terribly worn out." This is not the case - there is no other area of the car, inside or out, showing this problem. I'm pretty sure my bird has not been swimming in the ocean, and I don't let her hang out at toxic waste sites (fumes) either. I'm wondering if this is time related and other problems might show up. Would appreciate any info you might have on this.

Thanx, Tom

[Leroy]

Re: Soft Trim Paint - ??

austx, My guess is most of the problems were do to excessive heat caused from the car sitting out in the sun for hours at a time daily. Leroy

[5bird7]

Re: Soft Trim Paint - ??

Tom, Have you taken a damp cloth to those "soft" areas and rubbed a little? Could be just accumulated dirt. or someone used a type of cleaner not compatible with the paint or plastic on those buttons.

The chipped paint may have been from rings or bracelets hitting those areas. Not a problem on ours, but George does drive with his hands on the center instead of the steering wheel ring sometimes.

[joe166]

Re: Soft Trim Paint - ??

The only "soft paint" I have encountered in my interior is the result of what my mom told me was my total lack of personal hygiene when I worked on my cars. It always came off with a suitable cleaner BUT I have noticed that the area right in front of the recess for pulling the door closed has lost some of its coating, I guess from fingernails or rings or something.

[austx]

Re: Soft Trim Paint - ??

If heat was the culprit I think it would have caused additional problems - there are none. I do know the difference between dirt and paint. The armrest does have some watchband rash, but that doesn't explain why the remaining paint can be removed with a thumbnail. The paint on the audio and cruise buttons can be stripped to the white plastic base material with only a thumbnail. The steering wheel emblem is chipped all around, but it could only be reached with something like a screwdriver point, but shows no scratches, just chipped paint. A local car salesman commented he had heard Ford had some paint problems - didn't know any details. I know how to fix the armrest and buttons - not so sure about the Thunderbird emblem.

[Gwfl]

Re: Soft Trim Paint - ??

I would think it's possible that body/hand oils mixed with perfume chemicals could brake down and soften the paints and the jewelry could cause chipping?

gary

[sdman]

Re: Soft Trim Paint - ??

yes its caused by lotions or body oil eating away at the paint. I use tanning oil allot when I tan at home and my Karaoke mic has almost all the finish off from where I hold it when I sing. I think the same would apply to the areas of the car you mentioned.