[Updated 7/20] Early Delivered Bronco MIC Top Developing Honeycomb / Snakeskin Pattern

[guerro]

Jeep and Jeep owners are collectively laughing aloud and pointing at Ford. Again, I reiterate my early take on the whole Bronco roll-out. This had not been planned for 8 years prior. This was a last minute rush to deliver and Ford got their tit caught in the wringer.

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[Big ragu]

I remember folks who called me a lame when I said I'm going to Line-X the son of bitch.

Line x is the way to go. I had an entire truck done and still looks amazing after 8 yrs

 

[john houseman]

Updated with more info from @PREMiERdrum:

The first of many we'll see of these. It's becoming apparent that many tops were delivered that had their outer laminate layer cast too thin. Commodity intake procedures weren't able to tell because they looked fine. This - along with other laminating issues - are what spurred the additional inspections that held so many units over the last 2 weeks.

FWIW my roof is still 100% fine, and I'm realizing just how lucky I havr been with this build.

A bit more info: Issues with thickness uniformity of the 3 layers is what's behind the lamination issues (and these unsightly "thin" spots). There isn't an easy fix at this point.

Watch this space.



Original post:

I haven't seen any mention or photos of this phenomenon yet. Just today I noticed a honeycomb or snakeskin like pattern starting to appear on most of the rear shell.

Anyone else also experience this? Is it UV related? Reaction with Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax? Something internal?

You can't feel the texture, it's strictly visual.

Interested in hearing some theories...

This is Horrible. I have a 2 Dr Badlands ordered. I will take it if they ever schedule me (too many sins) and haunt Ford until I get a "FREE Modular White Top". It might be cheaper for Ford in the long run. Fixing that top or replacing panels as things continue to show up will get very expensive for them and Webasto. I'm gonna try to make some lemonade if I get a lemon.

 

[Chrism81]

Guess anyone that has hope to sand the top smooth and paint it are shit out of luck.

 

[BroncoBoy22]

So far in these reports - "the honeycomb is only visual" - "not a texture you can feel"

If this were the only problem, you'd think just get it painted - carbon gray - or however you like -

But the physical "delamination pop-ups" and "cracks at edges" take it to another level -

The problem is the material the tops are made out of is difficult to paint. Requires lots of prep work for the best chance at adhesion. And even then there are no guarantees.

I think folks are in for a rude awakening when they try to paint them. I’m curious to see who tries first

 

[BroncoBoy22]

Thanks - interesting - good points -

What do you think of caseoftexas' idea to "just Line-X the whole SOB" -

Same issue. I think with the proper prep work it could work.

Only time will tell. I was quoted $2400 by my dealer for a 4-door (SoCal). The price is fair around here, but in that price bracket I’d rather pay for a mod or aftermarket top that will accept paint with no issue

 

[Bdisco]

https://oldtowncanoe.johnsonoutdoors.com/canoes/recreation/discovery-sport-15

Did Ford talk to these guys? ^
We have a 3 seat canoe made by Old Town. It has taken a beating. Dragged over sand and rocks, left to weather 3 seasons a year for over a decade, the green is a little faded, the bottom has a few scratches and gashes but no leaks.

 

[Carolina Jim]

I think folks are in for a rude awakening when they try to paint them. I’m curious to see who tries first

looks like there will be plenty of MIC discards tossed on dealer lots...good alpha testers

 

[Bronco4lyfe85]

Thinking on it, so maybe the design sucks and Webasto was having issue. Ford stepped in with their guys and this is the result, don’t make it right, just get it done. It sadly feels very logical.

 

[RobCo]

Its time for Ford to find another supplier that can handle the demand.

 

[subshooter]

After reading this thread, I went back to our local Ford dealership to checkout the First Edition that just arrived for a retail customer. MIC top looked fine (no honeycomb). Edges don't look to good though. See first pic.

 

[mpoteet]

After reading this thread, I went back to our local Ford dealership to checkout the First Edition that just arrived for a retail customer. MIC top looked fine (no honeycomb). Edges don't look to good though. See first pic.

You're kidding by saying it looked "fine", right? That entire edge is delaminated.

 

[subshooter]

You're kidding by saying it looked "fine", right? That entire edge is delaminated.

I was referring to the honeycomb issue. I mentioned the delamination is bad. Yeah it sucks.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

You’ve known this all along?

It's been a concern.

 

[Carolina Jim]

You're kidding by saying it looked "fine", right?

Unfortunately, doing a thorough 30-minute inspection when you pick up your Bronco does not resolve the hidden issues which PremierDrum advises are: "Issues with thickness uniformity of the 3 layers is what's behind the lamination issues". So what we're talking about here is a hidden flaw which may or may not produce noticeable cosmetic issues...or perhaps not for a month or 3.

I've always been a big believer in 'context'. When you look at the tops alongside the concurrent thread on perceived weakness of the auto transmission, one issue kind of informs the other. Perhaps Ford engineering is cutting the edges a bit thin.

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