Paint quality and paint degredation of EF-ELs

[LeadFoot81]

Hi everyone, I'm looking at upgrading to an EF-L Ghia, and came across a nice 95 model recently in Gunmetal grey. One of the big points for me (after checking that the mechanicals are in good nick) is the condition of the paint on the outside.

How good were Ford's paintjobs on these cars? The general finish and thickness of paintwork looks like its improved with certain e-series updates.
ie. Upgrade from EA2-EB1 to EB2/ED, and the upgrade from ED to EF/L.

The '95 Ghia I looked at had 10 years worth of stone chips mainly on the front of the bonnet & on the bottom of the front guards/sill area. The further back you go along the car, the better it gets (the rear end is mint)There is also the dreaded 'removal of 9 year old factory mudflaps effect' on the front guards. No part of the car looks like it's been resprayed, but I'm worried about a slight 'peeling' (of the clearcoat perhaps) on some of the doors around the doorhandles. A friend of mine has a red GLi with faded duco and doesn't have this problem. Is this just a metallic/prestige paint common aging thing or a possible problem?

I am pretty picky when it comes to duco, so I'd be interested to hear people's opinion/experiences on this matter.

Thanks.

[Sylox]

Reds and whites are solid colours and dont use clear coat if they are faded/oxidized they need attention to the paint. A buff works wonders.

metalics all use a clear coat and whilst they dont dis-colour like the solids they do tend to show scratches. A buff will cut most of them out usually.

Stone chips are just one of those things everyone has to deal with, more so the people with darker colured cars.

[old_mate]

Regency red Fairmont is what I have

and the paint is stuffed

[Olympus]

Try and find a EF/EL with prestige paint, AFAIK it has been applied with more layers.

[RG]

Heritage Green on mine and it's flaking at the front of the rear doors.

[b2tf]

The only problems ive ever heard of with EF/L paint was with the Cobalt Blue colour, which apparently kept on coming out too thin or something. Whatever its problem was, it resulted in it being dropped after EF Series I. Was on ED-EF (not sure about EB's) up until then though.

The mudflap effect is a real PITA but a good panelbeater or detailer can minimise it to the point where you would barely be able to tell it was ever there.

[old_mate]

i should clarify, my unit of a gas guzzlin mule suffers from hardcore stone chips on front bumpber and doors as well as chips on bumner and bonnet (hopefully a insurance fix due to hail damage) as well as nrmal deterioration on 3/4 glass and windshield wopers...paint is extremely thin on threse areas

[FPVWEPN]

got an ef in cardinal red 95 model and it gets washed every week and waxed every second. really good quality feels thickish and solid and is breeze to clean no fades peels etc...

[EFFalcon]

late EB's got Cobalt and it had a habit of fading on plastics.
my original paint was very good, strong paint, no fading, no peeling.
after getting stuff resprayed its crap :/

[Kenaz]

I've got a Gunmetal EL and the paint seems really good, except for the front bar where it's obviously been resprayed.

[LeadFoot81]

Thanks for the replies guys.

On the second 'less pessimistic' viewing the overall exterior of the car is in quite a nice state. Found only one maor sctratch that'll buff right out, only one minor dent in a back door. The bonnet has it's fair share of chips that have been touched up. The front bumper is the most aged part of the car, but has held up quite well and with a polish/wax will look mint. Its definitely better than an equivalent EB2-D.
Generally speaking the paint is nice and lush/thick-the roof in particular looks almost new.
How much better have the paintjobs gotten post EL? I've seen dog eared AU1s but not really AU2 onwards.

[EFFalcon]

I've simply found that factory paint jobs are very good.
Any jobs after that just don't seem to last as long, Never really noticed any AU's with much better or worse paint.

[Interceptor'85]

Go Gunmetal!!! We need another in the club, that's for sure. Bit of a rarity ;)

Im very happy with my paint job, I havent noticed any fading or discolouration. Just need to get rid of some stupid pebble dints and a few lil scratches :(

[neb]

my eb2 paint job is pretty good... its got a few scratches on the sides and the front bar is pretty bad with paint peeling (but this was an insurance job replacement bar) only a few years old but its stuffed. the rest is pretty decent

[LeadFoot81]

If all goes well I should be the proud owner of a gunmetal grey EF by next week! Thanx for all your replies guys.