Cowl Discoloration

[Madman]

wow no kidding! It’s like makeup for your truck.

But isn’t she worth it? ;-)

It’s actually a protectant for plastics and rubbers - most notably to protect them from UV rays.

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[chrisp993]

Have that issue and have not had the Window Replaced with Recall Yet.

So much for that theory

 

[ZWARRIOR]

@flashtek @Lippy -

I noticed a similar issue on the cowl as I was prepping to ceramic coat my (then) 1 week-old truck. I used a similar high quality product (CarPro DLUX) and the issue went away completely. I proceeded to use it to protect all of my plastic.

I would also strongly suggest staying away from solvents and oils as they may well degrade the plastic - not restore and protect the plastic.

Link on Amazon:
CARPRO CQUARTZ Dlux Wheel and Trim Coat 30mL - Ceramic Coating UV Protection for Wheels and Exterior Plastics, Rubber, and Metals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR8VJP...abc_E7BQVTV6GFJ64WZCBJNJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Havents seen this, but I will go ahead and buy it and apply it just in case lol.

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

Truck is three months old and about two weeks ago this started to show up. Tried to wash and scrub the area but not sure what else to do?

Flashtec
I've worked in the plastics industry for 37 years and I've seen this before. The cowl panels are a 2 component injection molded part. Ford's supplier is obviously having issues, either with resin, plastiscisers or the UV component of these parts. Until Ford recognizes the problem and takes corrective action with the supplier the part it will not be fixed. This could take months to get through their system, if they care to figure it out all. They should! they've got 1000's of these trucks sitting in parking lots right now waiting to be delivered.

I stopped at a local dealer this morning on my way to work, the 2 new F150's on there lot look the same way.

The use of car care products will yield a temporary solution, but eventually these parts are going to deteriorate get chalky and flake away. You shouldn't have to do this on a truck that's 2 months old!

Check the fixed portion of your front air dam, same process, is it white and discolored? Probably not.

If we battle with our dealers and win, the panels will only be replaced from the same parts bin. Ford will probably never recall this, and until they correct the problem, maybe a TSB, I wouldn't bother, You'll only be disappointed in the end.

I intend to keep my truck for a while, I can only imagine that I'll eventually have to replace these myself out of pocket. It's not right but what can do?

 

[flashtek]

Then I bet the reaction is coming from UV rays. I live in Texas and my truck has to take a back seat the lady's Caddy for garage privileges. Ordered some Griot's. If that doesn't last, I will up to "truck makeup". While I hope Big Daddy Dog is wrong, I have to prepare for if he is right. Will update once I've completed the process and the days following.

 

[Blueshound]

Just to add a data point, my truck doesn't have this problem yet. Purchased late February and has been garaged at home and work for 4,000 miles. So it has really only been exposed to our New England sun while driving it and in store parking lots. I have not washed the truck yet (I do clean the cameras, windows, and pick the occasional bug off the grill). I will probably wash it sometime this summer and watch afterwards for any changes.

 

[currybob]

I have started using this for my plastic care/cleaning. Has high UV shield and works fantastic. To say I am anal about the car and cleaning of my vehicles would be an under statement.

The OPs issue is for sure some kind of production issue. If one has this problem you know many more do also.

 

[Madman]

Took a quick photo ... noting that this rubberized piece with the white lurgi is (permanently?) attached to the main cowl, doesn't look like a separate piece that could be replaced. Also note that the same discoloration is present around the base of the windshield wiper arm.

I'm wondering if this discoloration is due to a cleaning agent or similar that was used when the windshield was replaced for the recall - can anyone else with this issue either confirm they also have the recall done. Or that they have the issue without having had the windshield recall?

Took a quick photo ... noting that this rubberized piece with the white lurgi is (permanently?) attached to the main cowl, doesn't look like a separate piece that could be replaced. Also note that the same discoloration is present around the base of the windshield wiper arm.

I'm wondering if this discoloration is due to a cleaning agent or similar that was used when the windshield was replaced for the recall - can anyone else with this issue either confirm they also have the recall done. Or that they have the issue without having had the windshield recall?

@crisp993 -

Apologies in advance for not taking a ‘before’ photo, but my cowling looked just like yours 2+ weeks ago. I decided to apply a UV protectant (CarPro DLUX, see link above) to all my plastic, including this, anyway. My expectation was that there would still be some marks but so be it.

Instead, I was very pleased to see that this product completely fixed the discoloration! I just too this pic a few minutes ago (unedited):

 

[flashtek]

Finally had a somewhat dry day to use the Griot's. Guess this is a good marker to see how long it lasts. Had to do the whole cowl so it would look the same. Went ahead and did the mirrors, door trims and the platic trim on the bed... (which I hate about new trucks). Didn't do the bumper but probably will soon.

 

[Bryan Simon]

South Texas
5 months
No garage

mine looks fine

 

[Indiana2021F150]

So my cowling is now white/spotted every time it rains or gets wet. The defect has to be in the plastic/rubber itself. I say this as my truck was built Kansas City in July and I took delivery within two weeks of production and it has been garaged since - I.e., this has nothing to do with a particular unit sitting in Ford purgatory for weeks or months. I have used Chemical Guys product and the spots go away, burn they always return with rain.

Has anyone found a product that keeps the white from returning? Unreal that this is an issue on a $65k vehicle. I mean, almost comical if it did not happen every time the vehicle gets wet.

 

[flashtek]

Everything I've used has not done any good. The plastic almost seems to be peeling away now too. I have not checked manufacture location.

 

[JerseyGlock]

I'm having same exact issue.

 

[Indiana2021F150]

@flashtek @Lippy -

I noticed a similar issue on the cowl as I was prepping to ceramic coat my (then) 1 week-old truck. I used a similar high quality product (CarPro DLUX) and the issue went away completely. I proceeded to use it to protect all of my plastic.

I would also strongly suggest staying away from solvents and oils as they may well degrade the plastic - not restore and protect the plastic.

Link on Amazon:
CARPRO CQUARTZ Dlux Wheel and Trim Coat 30mL - Ceramic Coating UV Protection for Wheels and Exterior Plastics, Rubber, and Metals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR8VJP...abc_E7BQVTV6GFJ64WZCBJNJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Have you had the white spots again after using the ceramic coating?

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