Painting a Hybrid May Cause Severe Problems With the HVTB

[disston]

It's not the paint per se but modern techniques require a paint booth and they operate between 200 and 350 degrees. The Lithium-Ion battery can not tolerate these temperatures. The Ford Modifiers guide says the battery must be removed. Other sources say the temp can be kept to 140* for only 40 mins and it will be OK.

 

I have not found an article or PDF yet on the process of removing the battery (only disconnecting it). Any experiences with this issue would be greatly appreciated.

 

Charlie

Edited November 29, 2017 by disston

[disston]

So I watched a video about replacing the high voltage battery in a Prius. It's pretty straightforward and involves removing a bunch of trim and disconnecting wires and terminals. It's just that I have been around Fords a long time and although I think the basic idea is the same I suspect there could be some "gotchas" with the Ford system. So at this point I don't think removing the battery is an option and I will have to make sure that the body shop doesn't over heat my car.

 

Not much else I can do.

[Timewellspent]

Can you do a Wrap instead of panting? Not sure what issues that would involve, just an idea.

[ptjones]

Pack ice around the HVB area to lower the timps before painting. :)

 

Paul

[disston]

Paul, is this something you have done or just an idea that seems would work?

 

I'll have to discuss the heat issue with Fred. Maybe I'm worried for nothing. Fred doesn't talk much. Maybe he is aware of the issue. Just because I've never seen a Hybrid in his paint shop doesn't mean he hasn't painted them before. Haven't Hybrids been around about 10 years or so? Fred's shop is a big warehouse type of place. There are abiut 15 cars inside being worked on all the time. That is except for the ones that seem to sit around for more than a month waiting for parts like the '64 Lincoln waiting for trim pieces.

[ptjones]

I would ask your painter what temps you expect inside the car, It was just an idea, but I would use the sealed ice packs if you did it. Wouldn't want a mess back their. :)

 

Paul

[Timewellspent]

I still think doing a car wrap would be better for your situation. You said this is for use as a taxi in your other post. A wrap would be perfect as when you are ready to get rid of the car, you can just remove the wrap and have the original paint below. Much easier to sell. I'm guessing a wrap would be less money then a new paint job as well.

[disston]

I think a wrap would be perfect but it has been tried and the problem is that the color is a specific shade and hue of red that is not commonly available apparently. The law is very specific about this color and being off is not allowed. It doesn't pass inspection when the cab goes thru the inspection station. It's the same place that they test for emissions and safety items that all other cars and my cab have to pass but in addition the interior upholstery, cleanliness and paint job are also looked at when it is a cab.

 

I plan to further investigate this someday and maybe I'll be able to have it done for the next car after I find out about having the wrap manufactured in the color we need.

 

I only found out about this heat problem a couple of days ago. I know that Fred has a paint booth but I don't know how hot he rans it. Dropped my car off there this afternoon and asked Fred about it. Told him the heat has to be kept below 140* and then only for a limited time, like 40 mins. Not really to my surprise but Fred told me it's so warm right now, unseasonably warm the next few days, that he doesn't have the heat on at all. Fred is cheap. He also gives the cheapest paint job for cabs around. So this time anyway there is no problem.

 

Still it's a good thing to know in case somebody else is going to paint a Hybrid. The Lithium-Ion battery and the other type too can not tolerate normal paint booth temperatures.

[disston]

Here is a photo of my new 2018 Fusion taxicab as it came out of the paint shop today. Have not applied the lettering yet because it is still running on temp tags. Also have to attach the cruising light on top which means I've got to figure out dropping the headliner. Will start a new thread about the headliner if I can figure out how to attach photos. This photo is a link right now. Will have to check if info about posting photos is explained elsewhere on the site.

 

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/4d/ac/0f/4dac0fbe43d41c9fa0a8b02cd5d636b3.jpg

[disston]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/4d/ac/0f/4dac0fbe43d41c9fa0a8b02cd5d636b3.jpg

[mwr]

if I can figure out how to attach photos.

On the Posting a New Topic page, look below the box where you enter your text and you should see Attach Files. Click Browse and navigate to the desired photo, etc.

[disston]

 

Here is the Fusion before it was painted. Old cab is in back.