Trunk Lid appliqué scratch repair DIY

[Cobra Jet]

So everyone knows the rear deck lid (trunk lid) center section (appliqué) is EASILY scratched on the 2018+ S550’s, more easily than the prior 2015-2017’s.

Shit, you look at it and it scratches...

I decided to give a product a try that I’ve used in the past on other vehicles. I figured what’s the worse that happens, I F-it-up more?

I used the following:
1) Porter Cable 7424 polisher
2) Griot’s Garage 3” adapter plate
3) Griot’s Garage 3” pad kit (only used the ORANGE pad and the BLACK microfiber).
4) McGuiar’s PLASTX (Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish)
5) Microfiber hand towel (contaminant free)

STEPS:
A) Mask off the emblem

B) Open trunk lid (best way for me). Some may prefer it to be closed. If closed, be sure to mask off top of bumper cover and edges of taillights closest to appliqué to avoid hitting them with polisher.

C) Apply PLASTX to the ORANGE pad

D) Porter Cable setting for me, I used (6).

E) Apply pad to decklid, rub pad and product onto decklid, THEN turn it on. ONLY DO SIDE TO SIDE passes, don’t go in circles, don’t go up and down. Do a total of (6) passes.

F) Use BLACK pad, apply to decklid, turn on and again only do SIDE TO SIDE passes to remove the PLASTX.

G) Use Hand Microfiber Towel. Make sure it’s 1000% contaminant free and is preferably new - because if the towel has ANYTHING on it, it’s gonna scratch the panel again! Do side to side passes (lightly) to remove any leftover PLASTX reside that the pad could not get and to clean up around the emblem.

Check out your work and results. If needed, repeat above steps.

I should have taken before pics, cause my 2018 rear panel looked like someone used sandpaper on it - but didn’t think to take before pics.. ugh.

Here’s the AFTER pics, I think it looks damn good! If enlarging the pics, the “specs” seen in the images is freaking pollen, it’s bad right now!

BTW -
Using the same products and process above on the S550 headlights will also produce excellent results!

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[wcharon]

Waooooooooo. Excellent job Buddy.

 

[TheSnowmanMafia]

BTW -
Using the same products and process above on the S550 headlights will also produce excellent results!

Be careful with that. You'll strip the UV sealant on the headlights and they'll be prone to haze much more quickly.

If you polish them you need to re-seal them.

 

[dguzzi]

Might be a good place for that ceramic seal stuff? I mean the back black piece, to keep that shine and keep the scratches away..
Headlights maybe, not sure of the UV properties it might have.

 

[GTP]

Might be a good place for that ceramic seal stuff? I mean the back black piece, to keep that shine and keep the scratches away..
Headlights maybe, not sure of the UV properties it might have.

This (ceramic) is what I am doing on my 2019, which is 3 weeks mine now. I used clear film last Mustang, but for whatever reason the film did not want to stick very well to that panel.

If you want to change things up, then you can just put vinyl graphics on that panel.

The panel really develops a static charge, attracts dust during driving, and then the dust causes swirls when trying to clean it. Marvelous.

 

[dguzzi]

Looks like its best just to polish the back panel when it gets scratched up. No I won't put bedliner on it!!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

So everyone knows the rear deck lid (trunk lid) center section (appliqué) is EASILY scratched on the 2018+ S550’s, more easily than the prior 2015-2017’s.

I have a 2016 but don't have the problem because I special ordered and had them skip the cosmetic parts of the PDI. Nobody but me has ever touched it.

But am curious about why the 2018+ are worse. Anyone know?

 

[fiveoboy01]

I have a 2016 but don't have the problem because I special ordered and had them skip the cosmetic parts of the PDI. Nobody but me has ever touched it.

But am curious about why the 2018+ are worse. Anyone know?

They're not.. Placebo effect. They're made of the same material. Equally prone to scratching.

Just to add, the method used by the OP to restore the panel is a good one, you can also substitute a finishing polish like Meguiar's M210(or equivalent, tons of choices out there) for the PlastX.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

They're not.. Placebo effect. They're made of the same material. Equally prone to scratching.

I thought they were the same. @Cobra Jet, why do you say the new ones are more prone to scratching?

So everyone knows the rear deck lid (trunk lid) center section (appliqué) is EASILY scratched on the 2018+ S550’s, more easily than the prior 2015-2017’s

 

[Cobra Jet]

I thought they were the same. @Cobra Jet, why do you say the new ones are more prone to scratching?

The 2018-2019 decklid panel will scratch or is susceptible to blems much more easily than any of the prior 2015-2017’s.

There is a manufacturing difference whether it’s with the actual plastic used OR if there’s an applied protective top coat.

I’ve had a prior 2016 - that panel would NOT scratch at all if using a clean microfiber on it. It wouldn't even scratch if you used a towel or a wet microfiber sponge to wipe it down. The 2018-2019 panels will totally scratch or spider web by doing the SAME procedures that one would do to a 2015-2017.

I also posted a Ford TSB in the Issue/TSB sub-forum that is only applicable to the 2018-2019’s due to the scratch concerns. Ford will polish that panel under the 3/36 warranty provisions per the TSB. If there was not a concern and there was no manufacturing change, Ford would not have drafted a TSB.

Link to Ford TSB:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...ack-trunklid-panel.112229/page-2#post-2551630

It’s a known fact on this site - any 2018-2019 Owner will confirm (and many have posted) how easily the rear decklid panel will scratch.

If you put a 2015-17 rear panel side by side to a 2018-2019, there’s a definitive difference in the surface gloss/sheen of the panels.

 

[Assh]

Has anyone used plasti dip glossifier to add a small bit of protection? I like the fact you can remove it if it's not what you like, however is it to matte/flat/satin?

 

[fiveoboy01]

I’ve worked on both and see no difference. I own a ‘17 and have worked on about half a dozen 15-17s and 3 ‘18s and there’s literally zero difference. A 15-17 will scratch just by looking at it as well.

As far as “I scratched it with one towel and not the other...”. Too many variables.

If I see some definitive statement that the material used is different, I will gladly eat my shock on this one.. otherwise I’ll stick with “it’s in your head.”

 

[fiveoboy01]

Has anyone used plasti dip glossifier to add a small bit of protection? I like the fact you can remove it if it's not what you like, however is it to matte/flat/satin?

The best way to deal with it it is to wrap it with PPF.

Xpel makes a pre-cut PPF panel to go over the rear of the deck lid.

 

[GTP]

I put Xpel on my 2016 panel. It does not adhere very well. Gloss vinyl wrap might be better and can be changed out.

For my 2019 I have ceramic coat. It is working out well so far. Collects less dust and won't scratch when wiping dust off with dry MF towel.

This panel is trouble for sure.

 

[Horizon5.0]

So everyone knows the rear deck lid (trunk lid) center section (appliqué) is EASILY scratched on the 2018+ S550’s, more easily than the prior 2015-2017’s.

Shit, you look at it and it scratches...

I decided to give a product a try that I’ve used in the past on other vehicles. I figured what’s the worse that happens, I F-it-up more?

I used the following:
1) Porter Cable 7424 polisher
2) Griot’s Garage 3” adapter plate
3) Griot’s Garage 3” pad kit (only used the ORANGE pad and the BLACK microfiber).
4) McGuiar’s PLASTX (Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish)
5) Microfiber hand towel (contaminant free)

STEPS:
A) Mask off the emblem

B) Open trunk lid (best way for me). Some may prefer it to be closed. If closed, be sure to mask off top of bumper cover and edges of taillights closest to appliqué to avoid hitting them with polisher.

C) Apply PLASTX to the ORANGE pad

D) Porter Cable setting for me, I used (6).

E) Apply pad to decklid, rub pad and product onto decklid, THEN turn it on. ONLY DO SIDE TO SIDE passes, don’t go in circles, don’t go up and down. Do a total of (6) passes.

F) Use BLACK pad, apply to decklid, turn on and again only do SIDE TO SIDE passes to remove the PLASTX.

G) Use Hand Microfiber Towel. Make sure it’s 1000% contaminant free and is preferably new - because if the towel has ANYTHING on it, it’s gonna scratch the panel again! Do side to side passes (lightly) to remove any leftover PLASTX reside that the pad could not get and to clean up around the emblem.

Check out your work and results. If needed, repeat above steps.

I should have taken before pics, cause my 2018 rear panel looked like someone used sandpaper on it - but didn’t think to take before pics.. ugh.

Here’s the AFTER pics, I think it looks damn good! If enlarging the pics, the “specs” seen in the images is freaking pollen, it’s bad right now!

BTW -
Using the same products and process above on the S550 headlights will also produce excellent results!

I recently found your post when trying to polish mine and followed your suggestions. i used grants pads instead of griots but it still turned out great. the first picture is after a wash and clay, and the second is after polishing.

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