I just noticed this today, somebody else mentioned this problem a few months ago but I don't remember who it was. It feels like a very thin rubbery coating and it's starting to wear off just below my radio. Any ideas on how to stop or repair this?

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2003 Ranger XL - 7' bed, Auto Trans., 51K Bone stock except for a Truxedo Lo-Pro QT and a rubber bed mat.

Is it the bezel or the dash itself?

it's common for all rangers. best thing to do is strip it all off and paint.

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Krylon Fusion is for Amateurs.

400 grit sand paper, and Krylon fusion gloss black... or color of your preference. 5 coats

Post a pic of said problem

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2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II
4.0 SOHC, Magnaflow Cat-back, AEM Brute Force CAI, 3" Body Lift, 33"x12.5"x15" Mastercraft Courser Mud Terrains on 15"x10" Mickey Thompson Classic II's, Color-matched interior

Seems everyone has this problem

I have never had this happen to mine on either ranger.

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2005 Ford Ranger EDGE
Useful links:
Owners Manual
Beginners threads of interest
How To Guides
How to Post Pictures

Things to do:
Participate in: Truck of the Month
Participate in:Ranger Photo Contest
Visit FRF Store: FRF Store

Mine is a little.....may be painted soon

I was a little surprised/irritated since my truck has such low mileage but then again it's probably more about age rather than miles and it's coming on 8 years old now. Does the Explorer/Mountaineer bezels have this problem as well?

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2003 Ranger XL - 7' bed, Auto Trans., 51K Bone stock except for a Truxedo Lo-Pro QT and a rubber bed mat.

Like I said, 400 Grit sandpaper, 4-5 coats of krylon fusion paint

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2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II
4.0 SOHC, Magnaflow Cat-back, AEM Brute Force CAI, 3" Body Lift, 33"x12.5"x15" Mastercraft Courser Mud Terrains on 15"x10" Mickey Thompson Classic II's, Color-matched interior

Yes do that!!

I think they ALL have this problem.

I've got a couple radio bezels from Rangers & Explorers for future mods & most of them have some form of peeling or some defect in the rubbery coating stuff.

A little trick I found for removing the rubbery stuff...
...after you remove the bezel from the truck, after you remove all the switches, vents, cig sockets & radio...

Brush on some brake fluid (brand shouldn't matter, I use the cheap stuff from Wal-Mart) and let it set a while in a pan to catch the run off.
Take a plastic scrubbie pad like you clean dishes with & rub the brake fluid in, roughing up the rubbery stuff in the process. Apply more brake fluid as needed, keep scrubbing, it will begin to "melt" and be easier to scrub off.

When all the rubbery gunk is gone, wash well with de-greaser, then with soap & water, let air dry.

Lightly wet sand down to 800 grit to remove any imperfections & to give the plastic a little "tooth" for the paint to adhere to. Wash with soap & water again, let air dry.

As mentioned before, shoot several light coats of your favorite color of Krylon Fusion paint. I used Black Satin, but it still looks glossy even after I sprayed on 4 coats of Krylon Satin Clear.

Here's what mine looks (before I installed my new head unit):

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'96 XLT, 4.0L, 4x4 Auto, Super Cab, K&N Filter, Dual Exhaust, 200 amp Alternator, Clear Corners, Explorer Power Seats & Console, 3x Fog Switch Radio Bezel, LED modded '01 Tails, Dirt, PICS

I just removed mine, gave it to my gf, and she did it by herself. She had no job, so she spent some quality time with it. No need to paint. It looks ok, tho.

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03 Ford Crew Cab Ranger
2.3L 2WD 5 Speed Manual
Dana 44.3 - 4.56 Gears
Firestone Destination AT 31x10.5

That's cheatin' right there ^ HA!

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'96 XLT, 4.0L, 4x4 Auto, Super Cab, K&N Filter, Dual Exhaust, 200 amp Alternator, Clear Corners, Explorer Power Seats & Console, 3x Fog Switch Radio Bezel, LED modded '01 Tails, Dirt, PICS

does that bezel just pop off and on or is there something else holding it on?
I too have to repaint mine as the rubbery coating is coming off.

thanks for the paint tips

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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 , Stepside,FRF decals, 4.0L SOHC decals, Primus IQ brake controller, curt 2" rec. hitch, custom winch mount,
Tinted glass, Yellow BUGGMAN OVALS a real treat to have. OHC, CB, night vision goggles, 36" periscope,
DiabloAmarillo = The Yellow Devil

If u look from below it there is to bolts holding it on

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2003 FX4 LEVEL II. REST IN PEACE JASON FINN

thanks Demon

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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 , Stepside,FRF decals, 4.0L SOHC decals, Primus IQ brake controller, curt 2" rec. hitch, custom winch mount,
Tinted glass, Yellow BUGGMAN OVALS a real treat to have. OHC, CB, night vision goggles, 36" periscope,
DiabloAmarillo = The Yellow Devil