I have a 2004 Ranger XLT with a 4.0. The hood was repainted about 10 years ago. In the last year, the clearcoat and paint started flaking off. It start around the sides and is working its way to the middle if the hood.
My question is: Is there supposed to be a ground strap between the hood and the firewall/fenders?
I was thinking that this might be some type of electrolysis problem. The paint was fine for eight years.
Any ideas?

 

Do you have a heat shield under the hood between the engine and the hood?

 

Yes, I do have a heatshield. I bought the truck when it was 11 months old. The hood had been replaced and repainted. The paint did look thin but the problem did not start until 8 years later. In many places it is now down to the black coating. I do not think it was painted properly but looked good for 8 years. Once it started to come off it went quickly.

 

Only thing I could think is that it wasn't polished and waxed. But even then it should have been fine

 

But is there supposed to be a ground strap between the hood and fenders/firewall?

 

I only know of the one from the back of the engine up to the firewall

 

Or the shop didn't make a job in repainting your hood, that's why it stared to flake off.

 

There's a groundstrap on my hood to my truck body, as well as on my father's 03. I personally find the groundstrap useless, considering it's grounded out through the hood hinges anyway.

 

More than likely it was just a bad paint job or less than ideal conditions.

 

^ Seconded.

 

I have the same issue with my 03 Edge, factory paint. The paint's bubbled, wrinkled around the edges and flaked of in a few places toward the center front,. In getting estimates for repainting came to one shop owner who wouldn't guarantee the hood paint, says it's inevitable, chemical reaction that happens. The truck lives outside and though I cover it as much as possible, still roasts in the hot S Florida sun most weekdays at work.. This composite material may have some questionable thermal properties I suspect. There must be a way to paint it so it lasts if maintained. I'm still looking for an answer before I throw good money after bad, There's no steel hood for this truck at the moment and if there was would be expensive.