Maybe this will help:
Ford did a poor paint job on some of the early production ST, specially with those with dark colors that resulted in the paint jobs being prone to cracking
Article No. 02-17-1
FORD: 1999-2002 EXPLORER
2000-2002 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT
MERCURY: 1999-2002 MOUNTAINEER
ISSUE:
Some vehicles may exhibit crowsfoot or premature star cracking primarily on the hood, but could also be on other panels. This is due to high paint film build and acrylic melamine paint technology.
ACTION:
Read this TSB in its entirety BEFORE beginning any repairs. Inspect and repair as outlined in the following Service Procedures.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1999-2002 Vehicles- Dark Colors (Code LL Blue, Code UA Black, and Code SU Green only)
NOTE: READ THIS REPAIR PROCEDURE COMPLETELY. SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE PAINT THICKNESS ABOVE 5.5 MILS.
Check paint film thickness on affected panels.
NOTE: IF PLASTIC MEDIA BLASTING IS BEING USED, PROCEED TO STEP 4.
NOTE: TECHNICIAN PERFORMING THE SANDING OPERATION SHOULD WEAR AN APPROVED RESPIRATOR WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY PARTICULATE FILTERS (HEPA). TECHNICIANS SHOULD USE A DUAL ACTION SANDER WITH VACUUM COLLECTION EQUIPMENT. THE VACUUM EQUIPMENT MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A HEPA FILTER ON THE AIR EXHAUST. OPERATORS ARE CAUTIONED TO FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS GUIDELINES FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPLACEMENT OF THESE FILTERS.
Remove all clearcoat and basecoat by sanding down to the E-coat primer with 80 grit-sanding discs on a Dual Action vacuum sander. The E-coat color is Green.
Blow off the panel with compressed air to remove loose dust and debris.
Wipe the panel with a wax and grease remover. Wipe dry using a clean, lint-free cloth to remove all residue. Keep wiping until the surface is completely dry.
Mask off all necessary panels. Tack off the surface.
Mix and apply Ford Approved epoxy or self-etching primer to all bare metal areas on the panel.
Mix and apply 2.0 mils minimum of Ford Approved primer surfacer following the manufacturers label recommendations and bake at 140° F (60° C) panel temperature per manufacturers recommended baking time.
Block sand the affected panels with 600 grit sand paper.
Blow off the area with compressed air to remove loose dust and debris.
Wipe the panel with a wax and grease remover. Wipe dry using a clean, lint-free cloth to remove all residue.
NOTE: KEEP WIPING UNTIL THE SURFACE IS COMPLETELY DRY. ANY RESIDUE MAY RESULT CONTAMINATION OF THE COATINGS TO BE APPLIED FOLLOWING THIS STEP.
Mix and apply Ford Approved basecoat material following the manufacturers label recommendations and flash time.
Mix and apply 2.0 mils minimum of Ford Approved clearcoat and bake at 140° F (60° C) panel temperature per manufacturers recommended baking time.
Demask the vehicle as necessary.
WARNING: TO SAFEGUARD OUR ENVIRONMENT, PLEASE USE PROPER DISPOSAL TECHNIQUES FOR ANY VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC) OR EXCESS MATERIALS.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE
WARRANTY STATUS:
INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES:
106000
