Post by Candyman on Mar 13, 2010 8:15:46 GMT -8
Hey Everyone,
This is an older Article, but it is relevant to the 2000 through 2002 PT's regarding the discoloration and /or tape marks found on both the front and back bumpers. As it is the intention of this Forum to try to gather, and store as much information on the PT Cruiser as possible, I felt this information was important to add to this archive.
The PT fascias from (2000-02) were injection molded with a TPO plastic using a technology called MIC (Mold In Color), where when they come out of the mold, they are that gray color, giving the PT that one-of-a-kind look. Well, as you know, the sides of the fascia are painted body color in a bake oven. Consequently, the gray part had to be taped off so the sides could be primed and then painted body color. When the part is heated in the baking oven, the tape on the fascia interacts with the plastic pulling the UV resins out, mainly due to the high temp of the oven. DC did much Xenon accelerated weather testing to solve this issue for us PT owners. They understood the problem was caused by the interaction of the tape, heat, plastic, and UV exposure, but could never quantify how much of what actually caused the failure. They were lead to believe that there was another element out in the field that was not being accounted for (wax, polish, chemical, etc...that accelerates the problem) They were able to optimize the tape to reduce the problem (some tapes cause it more than others). But in the test labs, they could never duplicate the nasty failures we see on our cars.
As you all know, in 2003 DC went to an all painted fascia, partly because of the problem with the white condition, but also cause it was less expensive because they didn't have to apply the tape anymore because the entire fascia was being painted.
THE FIX: Since the white marks will come back even on parts from the MOPAR service center, the only solution is to paint the fascia (as some have already done). DC is extremly committed to taking care of us. As we speak, DC is working on writing a TSB for the dealers either to paint them body color or a similar gray color for those that still like that look, they just need to find a matching aftermarket color, as this is not something that will come from their OEM color studio, rather the dealers/body shops?
They did not revisit the issue until 2002-03, when customers started complaining. I was told that after massive testing in 2002-03, they found that the issue would not occur after one trip through the paint booth, but only about 80% of the fascias make it through on one trip. The remainder need to go through a second time or a third time, heating it up again and again.
So, the conclusion in April of 2003 was to run the fascias through the paint line a maximum of 2 times. But bear in mind, that by 2003, they were already onto the painted fascias and there wasn't a whole lot they could do, except try to make sure the fascias in MOPAR were acceptable for service. Which, they are having problems with those because there is something out there that is causing this and they can't find it. Also, keep in mind, engineers move on to new and upcoming projects and don't always stay with one car, so issues sometimes get lost as new people step in. So, that kinda explains why its been so long and nothing was done. Personally, I think DC should have wrote a TSB two years ago when complaints started coming in.
The only solution is to paint the fascia because the tape marks will keep coming back no matter how many new fascias you put on your car. But it is difficult to paint because the gray fascia has a textured surface and for the painted style the texture in the mold was polished out. The texture causes the paint when sprayed on to appear a little darker. So the main thing is to have a dealer that knows what they are doing, spray some adhesive promoter on and perhaps lots of paint so that the texture isn't as visible. OR just paint the fascia a gray color and then you don't have to worry about color matching.
Their is a write up on several other PT Forums that discusses a fix by using Steel Wool and WD40. I do not endorse or recommend this solution.
Instead, I recommend using this Product for a longer term resolution to the problem as an alternative to painting yout Bumpers. Here is a Link for more information:
www.foreverblack.com/index.html
Go easy, and I will catch you later.
Candyman
This is an older Article, but it is relevant to the 2000 through 2002 PT's regarding the discoloration and /or tape marks found on both the front and back bumpers. As it is the intention of this Forum to try to gather, and store as much information on the PT Cruiser as possible, I felt this information was important to add to this archive.
The PT fascias from (2000-02) were injection molded with a TPO plastic using a technology called MIC (Mold In Color), where when they come out of the mold, they are that gray color, giving the PT that one-of-a-kind look. Well, as you know, the sides of the fascia are painted body color in a bake oven. Consequently, the gray part had to be taped off so the sides could be primed and then painted body color. When the part is heated in the baking oven, the tape on the fascia interacts with the plastic pulling the UV resins out, mainly due to the high temp of the oven. DC did much Xenon accelerated weather testing to solve this issue for us PT owners. They understood the problem was caused by the interaction of the tape, heat, plastic, and UV exposure, but could never quantify how much of what actually caused the failure. They were lead to believe that there was another element out in the field that was not being accounted for (wax, polish, chemical, etc...that accelerates the problem) They were able to optimize the tape to reduce the problem (some tapes cause it more than others). But in the test labs, they could never duplicate the nasty failures we see on our cars.
As you all know, in 2003 DC went to an all painted fascia, partly because of the problem with the white condition, but also cause it was less expensive because they didn't have to apply the tape anymore because the entire fascia was being painted.
THE FIX: Since the white marks will come back even on parts from the MOPAR service center, the only solution is to paint the fascia (as some have already done). DC is extremly committed to taking care of us. As we speak, DC is working on writing a TSB for the dealers either to paint them body color or a similar gray color for those that still like that look, they just need to find a matching aftermarket color, as this is not something that will come from their OEM color studio, rather the dealers/body shops?
They did not revisit the issue until 2002-03, when customers started complaining. I was told that after massive testing in 2002-03, they found that the issue would not occur after one trip through the paint booth, but only about 80% of the fascias make it through on one trip. The remainder need to go through a second time or a third time, heating it up again and again.
So, the conclusion in April of 2003 was to run the fascias through the paint line a maximum of 2 times. But bear in mind, that by 2003, they were already onto the painted fascias and there wasn't a whole lot they could do, except try to make sure the fascias in MOPAR were acceptable for service. Which, they are having problems with those because there is something out there that is causing this and they can't find it. Also, keep in mind, engineers move on to new and upcoming projects and don't always stay with one car, so issues sometimes get lost as new people step in. So, that kinda explains why its been so long and nothing was done. Personally, I think DC should have wrote a TSB two years ago when complaints started coming in.
The only solution is to paint the fascia because the tape marks will keep coming back no matter how many new fascias you put on your car. But it is difficult to paint because the gray fascia has a textured surface and for the painted style the texture in the mold was polished out. The texture causes the paint when sprayed on to appear a little darker. So the main thing is to have a dealer that knows what they are doing, spray some adhesive promoter on and perhaps lots of paint so that the texture isn't as visible. OR just paint the fascia a gray color and then you don't have to worry about color matching.
Their is a write up on several other PT Forums that discusses a fix by using Steel Wool and WD40. I do not endorse or recommend this solution.
Instead, I recommend using this Product for a longer term resolution to the problem as an alternative to painting yout Bumpers. Here is a Link for more information:
www.foreverblack.com/index.html
Go easy, and I will catch you later.
Candyman
