Yay! Adding my MIC top failure to the list!

[jrollo7]

We can all hope. There has been no reported incidents with any of the MY'23 HE/HELs. The mod top share the same underlying core as the MIC.

That’s not promising-for the long term. Do you know if it’s made by Webasto too? If it’s that same honeycomb material then we do need to hope that the SMC will enhance and minimize or eliminate the MIC issues.

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[Beach_Bum]

That’s not promising-for the long term. Do you know if it’s made by Webasto too? If it’s that same honeycomb material then we do need to hope that the SMC will enhance and minimize or eliminate the MIC issues.

I have no source to dispute that Webasto is the same supplier. People in the past have insinuated that the new tops are from a different supplier. But no evidence has been provided to support that insinuation.

 

[jrollo7]

I have no source to dispute that Webasto is the same supplier. People in the past have insinuated that the new tops are from a different supplier. But no evidence has been provided to support that insinuation.

I heard from a Webasto employee who said they make/made the mod top also and another supplier named Taijin makes the painted tops with the white inside lining . He said the Webasto mod top has the same honeycomb makeup but the “outer shell is a thicker fiberglass shell. MIC is a thin thermoformed sheet.” His exact words.

 

[Steed76]

I had this show up on my 23 OBS SAS about 2 weeks ago around the rear windows, in a few days time for some reason it got drastically worse for some reason. Took it to the dealer, in 3 days (waiting for approval) ordered the top and it's gets installed on the 26th of this month. mine has been garage kept, hand washed and only offroad it's seen to date is a gravel road on occasion.

 

[UniBroncorn]

They do. The normal small cracks seen on some hard tops is shown in the GSB as a warrantable repair.

Does GSB apply in Canada? Ford said my spider crack won't be covered because of the location it is on the roof as per the dealer.

 

[Ducati1098]

Does GSB apply in Canada? Ford said my spider crack won't be covered because of the location it is on the roof as per the dealer.

You’d have to ask your dealer about it. I have no idea what does and doesn’t apply in Canada.

 

[Ape Factory]

My initial, rather small crack has spread a bit and I now have two new ones on the driver's side cargo shell. All are around the side windows which, ironically, are part of the recall and my Bronco is affected. They sold it to me knowing the recall hadn't been done. I was aware and knew I'd need to come back for the window seal and the crack.

I'm actually sitting at the dealer right now and they apparently need a couple of hours to are done examining before and have the cargo section of the top needs to be replaced.

Right now physical cracks are limited to the cargo portion of the roof. I have a very wavy finish on one corner of the passenger's side front panel. It's visible and you can definitely feel it by touch. I've not seen any other cracks on either the rear passenger panel or either front panels. Generally, I have the honeycomb pattern throughout but I actually don't mind that. I'm weird.

Pics. This is the one I knew about when I bought it. It has since grown/expanded out and this is an accurate representation as of today. Driver's side towards the front of the rear cargo area.

This group of cracks below is new. They were not there when I bought the vehicle the end of December. I hand wash my vehicle, two bucket method with soap that's safe for ceramic coating. So no harsh chemicals in other words. I don't treat the top or at least I haven't yet. I think 303 Aerospace is approved and I have a bit of that.

They came back pretty quick (I was expecting a few hours wait) and said the rear is definite and they're checking on the front panels with their wavy texture. Pics below. Feels like the surface of a pumpkin but it's hard to photograph.

Unsurprisingly, the top is back ordered and I let them know I was in no hurry. I have about 10 days left on my Ford Blue certification and a full year of the comprehensive warranty. I made sure to mention it's ordered with the roof liner and they're going to do it all at once, replace the top and do the rear glass under the recall. I actually saw a spot on mine where the glass wasn't sealed all that well but it's rattling and doesn't look like it'll fall out. I'll report back once the new top is ordered and installed.

 

[Dude1967]

My initial, rather small crack has spread a bit and I now have two new ones on the driver's side cargo shell. All are around the side windows which, ironically, are part of the recall and my Bronco is affected. They sold it to me knowing the recall hadn't been done. I was aware and knew I'd need to come back for the window seal and the crack.

I'm actually sitting at the dealer right now and they apparently need a couple of hours to are done examining before and have the cargo section of the top needs to be replaced.

Right now physical cracks are limited to the cargo portion of the roof. I have a very wavy finish on one corner of the passenger's side front panel. It's visible and you can definitely feel it by touch. I've not seen any other cracks on either the rear passenger panel or either front panels. Generally, I have the honeycomb pattern throughout but I actually don't mind that. I'm weird.

Pics. This is the one I knew about when I bought it. It has since grown/expanded out and this is an accurate representation as of today. Driver's side towards the front of the rear cargo area.

This group of cracks below is new. They were not there when I bought the vehicle the end of December. I hand wash my vehicle, two bucket method with soap that's safe for ceramic coating. So no harsh chemicals in other words. I don't treat the top or at least I haven't yet. I think 303 Aerospace is approved and I have a bit of that.

They came back pretty quick (I was expecting a few hours wait) and said the rear is definite and they're checking on the front panels with their wavy texture. Pics below. Feels like the surface of a pumpkin but it's hard to photograph.

Unsurprisingly, the top is back ordered and I let them know I was in no hurry. I have about 10 days left on my Ford Blue certification and a full year of the comprehensive warranty. I made sure to mention it's ordered with the roof liner and they're going to do it all at once, replace the top and do the rear glass under the recall. I actually saw a spot on mine where the glass wasn't sealed all that well but it's rattling and doesn't look like it'll fall out. I'll report back once the new top is ordered and installed.
[/QUOTEIt

My initial, rather small crack has spread a bit and I now have two new ones on the driver's side cargo shell. All are around the side windows which, ironically, are part of the recall and my Bronco is affected. They sold it to me knowing the recall hadn't been done. I was aware and knew I'd need to come back for the window seal and the crack.

I'm actually sitting at the dealer right now and they apparently need a couple of hours to are done examining before and have the cargo section of the top needs to be replaced.

Right now physical cracks are limited to the cargo portion of the roof. I have a very wavy finish on one corner of the passenger's side front panel. It's visible and you can definitely feel it by touch. I've not seen any other cracks on either the rear passenger panel or either front panels. Generally, I have the honeycomb pattern throughout but I actually don't mind that. I'm weird.

Pics. This is the one I knew about when I bought it. It has since grown/expanded out and this is an accurate representation as of today. Driver's side towards the front of the rear cargo area.

This group of cracks below is new. They were not there when I bought the vehicle the end of December. I hand wash my vehicle, two bucket method with soap that's safe for ceramic coating. So no harsh chemicals in other words. I don't treat the top or at least I haven't yet. I think 303 Aerospace is approved and I have a bit of that.

They came back pretty quick (I was expecting a few hours wait) and said the rear is definite and they're checking on the front panels with their wavy texture. Pics below. Feels like the surface of a pumpkin but it's hard to photograph.

Unsurprisingly, the top is back ordered and I let them know I was in no hurry. I have about 10 days left on my Ford Blue certification and a full year of the comprehensive warranty. I made sure to mention it's ordered with the roof liner and they're going to do it all at once, replace the top and do the rear glass under the recall. I actually saw a spot on mine where the glass wasn't sealed all that well but it's rattling and doesn't look like it'll fall out. I'll report back once the new top is ordered and installed.

It is like a wave at a sunny beach, never ends till they FIX the problem.

 

[Ape Factory]

It is like a wave at a sunny beach, never ends till they FIX the problem.

I see what you did there (looking at your avatar photo). Former Florida resident myself (Southwest).

 

[Rydfree]

I think the biggest issue with the MIC is the manufacturing tolerance of the outer coating. There are thousands upon thousands of them out there in the wild. Yes, there are problems and those that experience problems are the most likely to post about it. But that doesn't mean that every MIC out there is a ticking time bomb.

The coating/shell is far too thin in many cases where the underlying cardboard core is seen through often referred to as "snakeskin". In some cases, the shell adhesion to the core fails causing bubbles and wavy appearance. And then the most common issue is the spider cracks prevalent around the rear window.

It seems that the SMC shell is substantially thicker imparting additional rigidity to the top. The modular/painted HTs have only been in service for a few years (MY'23 the earliest). But there has been no reported issues that I've heard of. It stands to reason that the thicker shell prevents the "snakeskin" and spider cracks. There likely is also different adhesive applied to the core and SMC shell preventing bubbles/wavy appearance.

^^ This.

On my 3rd top right now and time will tell if I need a 4th. There are no signs of cracks yet but there is slight honeycomb to it. I also purchased a spare top from a First Edition just to keep on hand and it looks perfect with no signs of any defects. It just looks like a thicker outer shell was applied to it . The cardboard honeycomb underlying structure is not new tech and has been used in bed toppers for decades. They were however encased in a thicker sheet of fiberglass . I still have one on my '91 Ranger and it is fine, even though the paint is almost gone. The one on my other '90 Ranger lasted until 2019 before cracks started to appear in the shell. It sat its entire life in the sun though. The issue with the MIC is the super thin outer shell .

 

[Dude1967]

I see what you did there (looking at your avatar photo). Former Florida resident myself (Southwest).

I wish brother! I have dreamed about a great break here on the east coast, Wish Ford could fix the top drama! In my profile I have a 2005 T-Bird, no cracks on the Hard top..

 

[Bonnie & Clyde]

Has anyone sprayed a proper line-x type coat over their MIC top to see if it strengthens / thickens the outer layer possibly reducing the potential for cracks?

I understand the argument for lipstick on a pig etc..... just want to see if anyone has actually tried a method to reduce or prevent the cracks before they begin.

 

[Bruzer22]

I thought maybe I had the rare good one that would stay intact. Not the case, washed it this weekend, and noticed several cracks on the leading edge of the side window for my 2 door. Garage kept, hand washed, no chemicals on hard top, etc.

 

[23CarbonizedBadSas]

Joining the club! 2023 with 14k miles. Garage kept and only hand washed.

 

[joeman]

My initial, rather small crack has spread a bit and I now have two new ones on the driver's side cargo shell. All are around the side windows which, ironically, are part of the recall and my Bronco is affected. They sold it to me knowing the recall hadn't been done. I was aware and knew I'd need to come back for the window seal and the crack.

I'm actually sitting at the dealer right now and they apparently need a couple of hours to are done examining before and have the cargo section of the top needs to be replaced.

Right now physical cracks are limited to the cargo portion of the roof. I have a very wavy finish on one corner of the passenger's side front panel. It's visible and you can definitely feel it by touch. I've not seen any other cracks on either the rear passenger panel or either front panels. Generally, I have the honeycomb pattern throughout but I actually don't mind that. I'm weird.

Pics. This is the one I knew about when I bought it. It has since grown/expanded out and this is an accurate representation as of today. Driver's side towards the front of the rear cargo area.

This group of cracks below is new. They were not there when I bought the vehicle the end of December. I hand wash my vehicle, two bucket method with soap that's safe for ceramic coating. So no harsh chemicals in other words. I don't treat the top or at least I haven't yet. I think 303 Aerospace is approved and I have a bit of that.

They came back pretty quick (I was expecting a few hours wait) and said the rear is definite and they're checking on the front panels with their wavy texture. Pics below. Feels like the surface of a pumpkin but it's hard to photograph.

Unsurprisingly, the top is back ordered and I let them know I was in no hurry. I have about 10 days left on my Ford Blue certification and a full year of the comprehensive warranty. I made sure to mention it's ordered with the roof liner and they're going to do it all at once, replace the top and do the rear glass under the recall. I actually saw a spot on mine where the glass wasn't sealed all that well but it's rattling and doesn't look like it'll fall out. I'll report back once the new top is ordered and installed.

The waves in your front panels, keep us posted on what your dealer has to say. Mine are showing the same, wasn’t like that when new. They were straight but now showing same as yours.

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