Radio Bezel Durability - 2nd Time Around

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mookie

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Does the replacement bezel hold up any better than the original? The bezel on my 2003 is starting to bubble and I guess peeling is next.



I'm curious if, after a couple of years, the replacement will do the same thing.
 
My Trac is a 2002. It is now 2005. That is three years and a few months since I got her in the end of july of 2002. I have just under 60,000 miles on her now. My warranty ran out in, IIRC, May of 2004 when my friends from Europe came to visit. So, The replacement was done at about 32,000 miles, give or take a few thousand. So in a year and a half I drove about 26,000 miles. Of that 23,000 miles, 3,000 of them was a trip to Florida.



So, I could safely say, the replacement bezel lasted me about 1 year and 8 months.



I am trying to remember as close as I can.





Tom
 
Are these failing because of the cigarette lighter use???... Or from fingers being placed on them changing stations....

I usually place 1 finger on the tape door and use the other to change stations, or i rest my wrist on the shifter and change the stations from there....

I also don't use my lighter at all....

Just curious..

Todd Z
 
My 02's bezel has not had this problem. I did have ithe paint peeling on the door handles and got those replaced.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tom,



The bezel is acutally painted, just like the silver door handles on the '01-'02 ST. These parts are notorious for the silver paint peeling off of them. I had it happen on the bezel on my '02 ST, and again on my '04 ST. The bezel was replaced under warranty on both Tracs.



If it hasn't happend to you yet, you're lucky.
 
My 04 door pulls are black.



I do think my Bezel may be painted, though, but given its color and the flake it seems to have it could have just as easily been molded in.



Thanks.
 
My 04 door pulls are black.



I do think my Bezel may be painted, though, but given its color and the flake it seems to have it could have just as easily been molded in.



Nope, your bezel is painted also. My '04 is painted, and it peeled about six months after I bought the Trac. You may've just had a better painted one than others.
 
Todd,



I don't smoke, eat or really touch my bezel when I change the station, so I don't think it has anything to do with contact. The paint on my original one was very rubbery feeling compared to the smooth painted one they replaced with. -Heather
 
My 04 bezel is rubbery too, I'm getting it replaced so I hope the new one is "smooth painted" and lasts.... Why isn't it painted the same way as the gauge cluster bezel?? it's the same color on mine, but different texture and everything... I couldn't scratch any off of the gauge cluster if I tried, but I can rub it off of the radio bezel easily....
 
I noticed today that the radio bezel on my '04 peeling (actually more of a rubbing wear spot or two next to knobs). It is painted a flex chrome color and it is grayish-silver plastic underneath so it is hardly noticeable.



Frankly, it seems to me the material it is made from is too soft and rubbery for good paint adhesion.



The door pulls are black though and not painted.



TJR
 
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