Paint is peeling off all over, will it rust?

I have a problem with paint peeling on my 2008 Ford Escape. There are a couple of problem areas and this vehicle only has 67,000 miles on it. The pillar that separates the front and rear doors is peeling, which is really ugly. Super visible. And the paint above the wheel wells is peeling off as well. So disappointing for such a new car. I am lucky I live in a dry area. Still I am worried about premature rust now. What can I do to prevent rust and protect what paint is left? No permanent damage yet, thankfully.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
First, I would recommend going to your local Ford dealership for a rust inspection. Other Escape owners have experienced similar issues, and if yours is similar enough, it may be covered by Ford. Ford covering the damages is the best case scenario, as it would be at no cost to you. As far as taking the cost efficient route if Ford chooses not to cover your damages, I would call around to several body shops in your area and get some quotes on touching up the problem areas with fresh paint. This will include sanding down the surface of the part, applying a coat of paint primer to the sanded surface (to help prevent further rust), and finally repainting the parts that were peeling. If the areas are small enough the body parts in question may not need to be totally repainted. If this is the case, it will also be less expensive than a full paint job. If getting the problem areas repainted is not viable at this time for you, keeping the vehicle clean and well waxed would behoove you. This should prevent any further damage until you are able to get the problem solved for good. Also, keeping the vehicle indoors overnight will help tremendously, even though it is dry where you live. Most places get cooler in the evening time and the temperature change from night to day and back may have an adverse effect on your paint.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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Once rust begins and spreads outwards, the paint will flake away. This is a major reason why we advocate against pressure washing your vehicle. Pressure washers can force water into small chips and scratches, expediting the corrosion process.
The reasons for peeling paint can vary widely. Painting over dirty walls, excess moisture, improper prep, and using latex paint on top of oil paint can all affect the paint`s adhesion and cause it to eventually begin flaking off.
What is the Ford lawsuit about? Certain Ford vehicles have been known to suffer problems with corrosion on their aluminum panels, leading to flaking, blistering, and peeling on the vehicles` paint jobs. The Ford vehicles that have been most affected by this issue are the 2013 to 2018 Explorer, Expedition, and Mustang.
Unfortunately, most paints will simply not bond well when applied directly over rust, so the rust must be removed or treated, as described below, before it is painted over.
Yes, you can paint over rust.
If left untreated peeling paint will spread, leaving the bare metal bodywork exposed to moisture, oxidisation and everyday wear and tear — so it`s important to deal with it as quickly as possible. Sometimes it can be hard to spot the early signs of peeling or flaking paintwork.
If any paint is flaking, curling up, this must all be removed, easiest way is scraping. Using a hand or powered tool, remove all this paint off of surface, before going any further. Good way to check paint properly laying down, adhering is tapping it with point on end of painter`s 5 way tool.
Peeling paint must be removed prior to applying a fresh coat of paint to ensure proper adhesion. For Best Results: Refer to the how-to for guidelines on removing peeling paint. Using a scraper or 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose, cracked, or peeling paint from the damaged area.
Moisture-caused peeling can happen for a variety of reasons, including: Water damage: Be it from a leak in your roof or siding, an overflowing bathtub, or water from your shower hitting a section of wall repeatedly, water damage is the quickest way to experience peeling paint.
Corrosion Protection Warranty

Your Ford bodywork is covered against perforation by rust, from the inside or underside, for 6 to 12 years, depending on your vehicle. However, surface rusting caused by scratches or stone chips, is not covered.

Use Rust Inhibitor Products

Rust inhibitor products are designed to prevent rust from forming on metal surfaces. There are several different types of rust inhibitors, including sprays, paints, and coatings. Rust inhibitor products can be applied directly to your car`s body to prevent rust from spreading.

For paint that`s tough and durable, an oil-based (alkyd) formula is your best bet. Oil-based paints not only provide a uniform finish but also bond tightly to metal and are less likely to fade.
Even after you spray paint over rust, it may continue to spread and weaken the surface of your metal. The longer you wait before addressing rust development on a metal surface, the more widespread it will become and the more it will compromise the structural integrity of your metal.
Yes, you can spray paint over rust. Before painting, take the time to properly prepare the surface to ensure that your new paint finish will last. Clean the surface. Dirt, oil and grease can affect the way paint adheres to the surface.
Thoroughly wipe away any leftover paint flakes, chemical residue and dust. Make sure all corrosion and rust have been removed before moving on. If any corrosion or rust is visible, you can always repeat the first step until satisfied.
Therefore, you should paint your car every five years at minimum, especially if you aren`t waxing it regularly. If your car`s paint gets scratched or damaged from a minor accident or inclement weather, consider getting a partial paint job to take care of the trouble spots.
Moderate Damages: $150 to $400

The larger the paint chips, the more the cost. If you have moderate damage that takes more paint to cover and labor to get the job done, you`re looking at a charge up to $400.

The good news for those with a peeling car is: the short answer is yes, vinyl wrap can be applied to a peeling car. Especially if it`s peeling clear coat.
In general, it is recommended that car wraps are only installed on factory painted vehicles; however, if you decide that you still want to have your car wrapped even though the paint is peeling, the paint will need to be feathered or sanded by a body shop first in order to ensure a smooth installation and to prevent
Too Hot. If you paint your house when the temperature is too hot, the paint dries too rapidly and the heat compromises adhesion. At temperatures over 90 F / 32.2 C, bubbles and blisters form in the paint. Once the paint cures, it could start to peel away from the surface.
That depends on your project. Some people choose to skip this important step, but they`re missing out on some of the benefits paint stripping provides. Both individuals and businesses have situations where they need to paint strip, and removing old paint gives you a fresh start and a more even new coat of paint.
2. You`ll face blistering and peeling paint if you don`t remove loose rust first. A primer can help paint adhere to a rusted metal piece, but you still must first remove as much loose rust as possible from the surface first.
You can use a primer to thoroughly cover the old color, then apply 1 or 2 coats of the new paint. Paint & primer in one paints are a newer option, which could be ideal for your situation and even shorten the project.
Can I Paint Over Exterior Peeling Paint. No! Painting over peeling paint doesn`t result in a smooth and professional finish. You need to strip and scrape the paint before priming and painting the surface.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

My car paint has a plastic like shield on it and the plastic on top of the paint is peeling off. The paint isn’t peeling!
ANSWER : Hi There,
What you have peeling off is the clear coat. This is a clear coat of lacquer that is applied on all cars after they are painted. This is an additional coat that is added to give the the paint job both a shine and a protective layer. Over time, depending on the quality and the age of the paint job, this may peel off as you have noticed. Unfortunately, the only way to correct this is to have the car repainted. I would suggest visiting your local body shop to obtain a quote on having the clear coat reapplied.

Paint is peeling off all over, will it rust?
ANSWER : First, I would recommend going to your local Ford dealership for a rust inspection. Other Escape owners have experienced similar issues, and if yours is similar enough, it may be covered by Ford. Ford covering the damages is the best case scenario, as it would be at no cost to you. As far as taking the cost efficient route if Ford chooses not to cover your damages, I would call around to several body shops in your area and get some quotes on touching up the problem areas with fresh paint. This will include sanding down the surface of the part, applying a coat of paint primer to the sanded surface (to help prevent further rust), and finally repainting the parts that were peeling. If the areas are small enough the body parts in question may not need to be totally repainted. If this is the case, it will also be less expensive than a full paint job. If getting the problem areas repainted is not viable at this time for you, keeping the vehicle clean and well waxed would behoove you. This should prevent any further damage until you are able to get the problem solved for good. Also, keeping the vehicle indoors overnight will help tremendously, even though it is dry where you live. Most places get cooler in the evening time and the temperature change from night to day and back may have an adverse effect on your paint.

Paint peeling problem, maybe cold weather to blame
ANSWER : This paint issue is somewhat common and seems to affect the roof most often. Although dealers most often do not make the repairs under warranty, I always recommend making them your first stop if there is a potential for them to cover it at no cost to you. Dodge has not yet released a recall or bulletin about this issue, but most dealer body shops will be well aware of the issue.

Paint chipping all over, can I protect the paint?
ANSWER : The problems you are having with your paint on your CRV is not isolated to just your vehicle. There are other owners with less mileage on their CRV vehicles that are having similar issues. The paint used on automobiles is put on in multiple layers. First the metal is cleaned and then a rust preventive coating is applied. The next level is primer paint, which differs depending on the material it’s meant for. The primer is a special paint that is supposed to have a high adhesion to the material it covers and provide a good adhesion to the next color coat of paint. Finally the coat of your chosen color is covered in a clear coat to protect the color finish. The clear coat is subject to the outside elements and is there to protect the color coat. Even with proper maintenance of the top clear coat, it does wear, and once compromised, will need to be repaired promptly to avoid damage to the color coat. Now if any of the layers of paint are not applied correctly, through use of defective paint or not prepping before next coat was applied, it can cause premature failure.

Spay painted wheels and it didnt dry and has wrinkles.
ANSWER : If you cannot use the paint stripper to get off the paint, try letting it dry then sand it smooth and then put on another coat of paint. First let the rims set in the sun to dry and harden completely. Afterwards, sand off the wrinkles and then paint them again using light coats. Let them dry for at least 10 minutes between adding the next coat.

Paint is chipping badly, what can I do?
ANSWER : Honda is aware of paint issues on certain models and is offering to repair at least some of them, extending the paint warranty to seven years from the original purchase date with no mileage limit. Honda has released a couple of bulletins regarding this matter. The extended warranty on repainting applies to only some body panels, in some cases only to vehicles originally sold in 25 northern states, and in other cases only to certain colors. Honda has sent out notification letters to affected owners which not all owners have received. What is covered vs what is not covered is very specific. Take Civics for instance – bulletin number 12-049 covers just the hood and top of the front fenders on 2006 to 2010 models that came in one of nine specified colors (four shades of blue, two shades of black, and three in gray or silver), and 2011 Civics of any color. Another bulletin, 13-060, covers the roof and trunk of the same cars in any of the nine colors. Finally, bulletin 13-004 applies to just the trunk lid of 2009 to 2011 Civics sold in 25 northern states, excluding the Pacific Northwest. You should grab your VIN number and give Honda of North America a call and see if you covered.

Car paint orange peel problem 1999 Suzuki
ANSWER : Hi there – orange peel is caused by not getting the proper amount of paint on the surface quickly enough (talking seconds here) to allow proper "flow" of the paint particles together at the surface. Excess dried paint particles will not gel, and the result is the rough texture you describe. Some paint types (i.e. lacquer or urethane) allow you to wet sand the finished paint surface (600 grit wet/dry), then use buffing & polishing compound to get a flat, shiny finish. Consult with your painter for whether this is possible or not. Otherwise, it may be necessary to re-sand and prep the vehicle for another re-spray, working harder to get the right conditions – spray nozzle, pressure, temperature, humidity, etc. Good luck!

Rust problem on newer models
ANSWER : Hello. If you are starting to have rusting issues you need to treat those rusted areas first. Try and remove what you can if there is anything that is loose. If it is fairly solid then you need to put some rust reformer on it. This changes rust into a hard iron compound. Once you treat all of the rusted areas, you need to coat the bottom side of the vehicle with rubberized undercoating to protect it from happening any further. This will increase the overall life of your vehicle’s exterior.