Ford Escape 2010 Workshop Manual page 27

2. Cover the break in the SMC (front and back) with masking tape. This protects the damaged area from
absorbing the prep cleaner and eliminates wicking of the cleaner through the fibers into the SMC .
3. Remove all waxes, silicones, dirt and road oils from the area surrounding both sides of the damaged area
with a plastics wax and grease remover.
• Remove the tape and sand the back of the repair area with an angle grinder, Dual Action (D/A)
sander or by hand using 80-grit sandpaper. Remove all dust with vacuum and tack cloth.
4. Create a reinforcing patch using a piece of scrap SMC that conforms well to the back of the damaged area
or form a patch from fiberglass cloth.
• Cut a section of cloth large enough to cover the repair, plus 25.4 mm (1 in) around the repair area.
• Cut a section of plastic film backing approximately 25.4 mm (1 in) larger than the cloth. Lay the plastic
on a smooth, flat surface where it will be used to create a pyramid patch.
5. Follow manufacturer's directions and apply plastic repair adhesive to the plastic film backing and smooth
with plastic spreader to recommended thickness. Place the pre-cut fiberglass cloth on the adhesive-coated
plastic film. Cover the cloth with a coat of repair adhesive and spread to the recommended thickness.
6. Apply the prepared patch to the backside of the panel and compress. Follow manufacturer's instructions for
adhesive cure. Remove plastic film after adhesive cures and sand as necessary to remove roughness.
7. Remove masking tape from the front side of damaged area and grind down to the backing patch. Use an
angle grinder with a 30- to 40-grit wheel. Make a gradual taper in the area, this will prevent bull's-eyes or
read-through in the finished repair. Sand prepared area with a D/A sander or hand-sand with 80-grit
sandpaper.
8. Build a pyramid patch using fiberglass cloth or equivalent and plastic repair adhesive. Following
manufacturer's directions, apply patch to damaged area.
9. Rough-grind area to remove excess adhesive. Sand repair area with 80-grit sandpaper, making sure to cut
slightly below the SMC finished surface. This will allow for a finish coat of plastic body repair material.
10. Apply a finish coat of plastic repair filler material per manufacturer's directions.
11. NOTICE: The High Voltage Traction Battery (HVTB) in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) can be
affected and damaged by excessively high temperatures. The temperature in some body shop paint
booths can exceed 60°C (140°F). Therefore, during refinishing operations, the paint booth
temperature must be set at or below 60°C (140°F) with a bake time of 45 minutes or less.
Temperatures in excess of 60°C (140°F) or bake durations longer than 45 minutes will require the
HVTB be removed from the vehicle prior to placing in the paint booth. For additional information,
refer to Section 414-03
Finish-sand, prime and topcoat using Ford-approved paint systems.
Thermoplastic Compounds
1. In deciding whether to repair or install a new component follow these guidelines.
• Is a part readily available?
• Can the damaged part be economically returned to its original strength and appearance, or will the
labor cost exceed the cost of a new component?
• Will repair provide for the fastest, highest quality repair?
2. NOTE: The following steps are to be used as a guideline. Depending on what brand of adhesives or patch
materials are used, procedures may vary slightly.
Thoroughly clean the damaged area with wax and grease remover formulated for use with plastics.
3. Hand sand the repair area with 80-grit sandpaper and remove any foreign material with compressed air.
4. Apply a plastics adhesion promoter per label directions to the repair area.
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