Defect: Fender Rust?!

[gyrotech]

I have a 2005 ranger FX4Level2. I just reached 125'000km. I oil spray once a year and I had 2 oil sprays done in the first year of owning the truck. All done at Krown a respected name by any standard. I wash the truck often enough to keep her clean. I also treat my paint well with the whole claybar system then a good polish and wax now and again.

This year while washing I noticed around each fender the plastic fender skirts have worn away the paint. So in another 100'000km I'm due to lose my fenders if I don't act now. I'd include photo's but I'm not at home. I will upload some later.

I wondered if this problem was just on my truck so I checked out a few at a local used car lot. I found a 2006 with about 60'000km on it and it had little wearing of paint but it was starting. I also found a 2004 with 100'000km and it had close to what I have if not the same. I'm thinking the plastic not only presses against the paint, but vibrates it off while driving.

Has anybody else noticed this? Go check your truck!
If so what did you do about it? Did ford do anything for you?

This is a MAJOR defect!

 

[mjonesjr]

Not a defect. Those fender flares are BAD for holding in dirt and water causing premature rust.

Ford wont do anything for you since you didn't clean behind them good.

 

[gyrotech]

How was I supposed to clean behind them? By removing them everytime I cleaned?

I use a power washer, then I use a brush, then I rinse again with the power washer. ??

 

[gyrotech]

What would you reccomend I do to fix the problem?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

As long as they keep rubbing on the metal, it shouldn't rust... it would just be polished bare steel.

My aftermarket bedliner is doing the same thing.