Scratches and swirls in B pillars

MurphyDog

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Jun 26, 2020
Threads
4
Messages
173
Reaction score
472
Location
San Jose, CA
Vehicles
Mach-E Premium
Occupation
Software Engineer
Country flag
When I picked up my FE a couple months ago I noticed the B pillars had some serious swirls and scratches. Looked like someone did the prep work with sandpaper. I put up a stink and the dealer told me to take it to their preferred body shop. When I got there the body shop guy met me in the parking lot with some wax and microfiber towels. He proceeded to put some wax on the pillars and said I should be good to go. I was not about to entertain this guy and left. I decided to fix it myself and purchased a polisher and some compounds and went to town. I was terrified at making a mess of the soft black pillars, but it turned out amazing.

This is how it looks now under seriously harsh lighting. It's like a mirror.
 
Last edited:

MarkP213

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
312
Reaction score
388
Location
California
Vehicles
Mach E 4X Premium, Infinite Blue
Country flag
I had the same issue with my 2018 Expedition. I complained to my dealer, and all they said was they could replace them but it will happen again. ? My Mach E was in better shape when I purchased it, but still showed slight scratches. Good to know they can get polished up nicely!

Im sure they are nice and shiny at the factory, but get scratched up when the dealership has their minimum wage kids wash the new cars. I’m anal about what touches my cars when I wash and dry them to avoid these kind of scratches. I’m sure the kids don’t really care much at all and use towels that have been on the ground, etc. ?
 

Eosin

Well-Known Member
First Name
Kenny
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
99
Reaction score
114
Location
USA
Vehicles
Mach E Premium
Nice job. I can't view the video for some reason, but I'm glad your polishing worked out.

Which polisher did you buy?

I just ordered the Griots ceramic kit which comes with their G8 (2 and 3 inch pads) and G9 (6.5 inch pads). When my Mach E arrives over the next couple weeks I'm having Xpel applied to the front. Then I'm going to prep the rest of the car for ceramic and apply AvalonKing Armor Shield ceramic coating to the entire car.
 

Scarpia

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
464
Reaction score
701
Location
SoCal
Vehicles
Infinite Blue Premium, Standard Range, RWD
Country flag
I had XPEL PPF applied to the front of my car, and the shop recommended doing the pillars as well because the piano black gets messed up easily. I'm glad I did it - should help keep them looking pristine.
 
OP
OP
MurphyDog

MurphyDog

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Jun 26, 2020
Threads
4
Messages
173
Reaction score
472
Location
San Jose, CA
Vehicles
Mach-E Premium
Occupation
Software Engineer
Country flag
Nice job. I can't view the video for some reason, but I'm glad your polishing worked out.

Which polisher did you buy?

I just ordered the Griots ceramic kit which comes with their G8 (2 and 3 inch pads) and G9 (6.5 inch pads). When my Mach E arrives over the next couple weeks I'm having Xpel applied to the front. Then I'm going to prep the rest of the car for ceramic and apply AvalonKing Armor Shield ceramic coating to the entire car.
I got the Torq 10FX polisher with their 3" backing plate. For the pads I used Griots orange and black foam.
 


machefan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2020
Threads
25
Messages
1,709
Reaction score
2,433
Location
NJ
Vehicles
RR FE 21', Leaf 18' and Bronco BadLands 2022
Occupation
IT
Country flag
I had XPEL PPF applied to the front of my car, and the shop recommended doing the pillars as well because the piano black gets messed up easily. I'm glad I did it - should help keep them looking pristine.
I did the same, they are a mirror finish now with no more worries from what ever material they went with. All MME’s have this issue, no different with the other black parts of the car. Polish will get it back to new but unless protected they will continue to return when cleaning.



Ford Mustang Mach-E Scratches and swirls in B pillars 7D5D5171-44D3-4217-BB4C-85800C4E0ACC


Ford Mustang Mach-E Scratches and swirls in B pillars F28CD216-90C0-4274-AB19-43C752E04670


B15AAC6E-68CA-42D0-8C01-A2766942D38B.jpeg
 
Last edited:

MarkP213

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
312
Reaction score
388
Location
California
Vehicles
Mach E 4X Premium, Infinite Blue
Country flag
I did the same, they are a mirror finish now with no more worries from what ever material they went with. All MME’s have this issue, no different with the other black parts of the car. Polish will get it back to new but unless protected they will continue to return when cleaning.

View attachment 27767

Ford Mustang Mach-E Scratches and swirls in B pillars B15AAC6E-68CA-42D0-8C01-A2766942D38B
Holy Crap that’s perfection! I need to learn to use a buffer/polisher. I’ve always been afraid to make it worse, because I know it can get uglier quick if you don’t know what you’re doing. Any pointers or suggestions for a novice? ?
 

VaderMachE

Well-Known Member
First Name
Robert
Joined
Feb 9, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
282
Reaction score
594
Location
Ohio
Vehicles
Fusion Hybrid, Mustang Mach E! (Shadow Black)
Occupation
Supervisor
Country flag
I've used Adam's Polishes for years. The piano black parts are a challenge, but they can look nice. Pics are my 2019 Fusion Hybrid, that sits outside year round, in NW Ohio. The other is my wife's 2015 Cmax energi. Still holding up!

IMG_20210612_170434569~2.jpg


IMG_20210612_170452180~2.jpg
 

ShaggySS

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Jul 21, 2022
Threads
6
Messages
354
Reaction score
360
Location
Roseville, CA
Vehicles
2022 Mach-E Premium RWD
Occupation
IT Nerd
Country flag
Thank you. Those pillars have been driving me crazy but always too chicken to try to fix. Lightly polished and they look better than when I bought it. Used Adam’s Polisher with 38 polish. Applied some ceramic coat to it so hopefully it will last…damn it. Cleaned up and then realized the rear ones are worse. 🤦‍♂️
 
Last edited:

GreaseMonkey

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Threads
11
Messages
1,551
Reaction score
2,282
Location
Chicago, IL
Vehicles
2022 Mach-E Premium ER AWD
Country flag
I installed PPF on them when car was new
 

NewGuy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
386
Reaction score
552
Location
NJ
Vehicles
Ready to order
Country flag
I noticed at the Rivian R2 release today, their piano black pillars were already swirled.
 
 




Top