Large paint chip around tailgate

[remtv]

Ran into this today after I noticed my tailgate creaking, first thing was to check the dreaded tailgate dampener , seemed to be fine but then I found this behind it. I'm think its pretty new as I had the truck line xed a few weeks ago and didn't notice it after going over the whole truck for overspray.

Doesn't look like it's from the damper as there is some clearance there. Creaking noise seems to have been the tailgate hinges an that went away with some silicone spray. Although it makes alot of creaking when fully open as it pushes against the plastic which you can hear in the video.

I put some touch up paint that the spray shop had mixed me when the paint around the tailgate seal came off with an IPA wipe just stop it for rusting here in Florida and to see if any rubbing is happening.

Do you guys think I'm going to have any luck with warranty on this or it's just going to be passed off as user fault/modification.

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[mailbox4449]

Based on second photo, looks like the clearance of the dampener is pretty close?? If its not installed correctly i could see it shift and cause the scrape?? Or maybe during install removal by LineX shop?? Just my opinion though.

 

[VTRanger]

Oh boy, I would be upset about that.

 

[remtv]

Based on second photo, looks like the clearance of the dampener is pretty close?? If its not installed correctly i could see it shift and cause the scrape?? Or maybe during install removal by LineX shop?? Just my opinion though.

I would think it would have some scratches through its whole travel but, Anything is possible , I've had it installed for 4 months and haven't noticed any issues but who knows maybe I did miss it from the shop but I did do a pretty good inspection around the whole truck after I found quite a bit of overspray. Not really sure how else it could be installed as everything is flush.

Also looks like some the creaking was coming from the tailgate pushing against the dealer installed plate cover, after a quick look around the forums, it seems to have been a common issue, I actually reinstalled the cover when I got my plates as a placeholder and promptly forgot about it, although some of it definitely was the hinges as it made noise going from about half way down.

 

[D Fresh]

Looks to be pretty obviously caused by the damper body to me.

 

[remtv]

Looks to be pretty obviously caused by the damper body to me.

From purely location thats what it seems, I put some paint on it and will watch it to see if it rubs off again. It does look like it peeled off as an large section though and it seems that I the paint around this area of my truck may have some issues as I had quite a bit come come off with an diluted IPA wipe.

 

[mailbox4449]

As a possible solution...I would temporarily remove the the dampener and put a small piece of the soft side of velcro or double side tape a piece of thin rubber onto the area you repainted, and reinstall the dampener. If it does slightly rub on it again, it will rub the soft velcro material or rubber piece instead of the paint?? Again, just a thought.

That's assuming the dampener isn't damaged anywhere to cause this rub all the time

 

[AzScorpion]

Is the inside of the damper worn too? If that's the cause there should be some paint worn off that too otherwise it's not the problem. Another thing it could be is the tailgate strap getting caught there? Mine was and I used a small piece of velcro from a HDMI kit and tied it around the tailgate strap and used some black tape at the bottom to secure it.

The creaking which sounds like an old barn door usually comes from the tailgate hinges. I notice it after it rains it must get in there and with the accumulation of dust dries out and creeks. A shot of silicone spray takes it right away.

 

[halligan1201]

To my eyes that's not a scratch, it's a paint blister that popped and peeled off. I would expect to see scratching in the bare metal if it was a wear mark because whatever caused it would still be contacting the surface.

Now as to what caused the blister; could be that the damper or the cable for the tailgate got hung up and put pressure on that spot. Paint will crack and then blister and then peel when enough pressure has been applied to it.

Either way, doubtful they'll warranty it, especially with the damper being on and so close to the spot.

A good body shop should be able to blow that area in for a relatively reasonable price. Touch-up will just peel off again or look terrible. If you aren't super concerned with looks and just want to protect the metal, rattle can paint or bed liner type stuff will work.

 

[remtv]

Thanks for all the replys guys, first thing I actually checked was the damper body , and it looks pretty much perfect as can be for sitting outside for the last 4 months

I actually have alot of experience in interference testing and analysis as an product engineer for automated curtain rods at my last job and spent alot of time doing dampener testing and looking at wear marks vs bad surface treatment.

I actually have a roll of ppf that I'm going to put on my door sills that I will probably put around the tailgate when ever I deicide how to seal it up.

When ever I get over to my local dealer to see about using some of my Ford pass points I will ask them about it but yeah I'm not hopefully either even if there wasn't an dampener there.

On the actual strap it seems to be folding in towards the tailgate at the moment but good idea on that and that mod might be worthwhile, that little streak of paint is from me touching up just now btw

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