Hi. The engine compartment in the GTX is freshly painted. I’m looking for a slick way to keep the secondary latch and the spring from scratching the new paint. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

Tape on the latch and a rubber boot over the spring

I guess shielding it is worth a try. Goes without saying, the original design got scratched up as soon as the hood was opened a few times... probably before delivery of most new cars. The alternative is "don't sweat it... as original".

For the spring use a Ford Aerostar rubber hood spring cover, it fits perfectly. I don't know if you can find them at a dealer, but I got mine at a junkyard.

I dipped the top of my spring in Plasticote. Didn't think about what to do on the latch.

What I've done on a couple of my cars to keep the paint from getting chipped in the latch area is affix a small piece of flat stock where contact occurs. Perhaps these pictures will help give you a better idea. This is on an e-body and I used stainless since it holds up better as a striker. For the spring, just put a piece of rubber tubing or a vacuum cap on the spring-end where it contacts the hood.

how is that stainless attached ?

Just a little dab of epoxy and a small c-clamp overnight. It's been on for 5+ years.

If you have hood pins simply remove the brain hook.

Exactly what I was thinking.

but it is so much "fun" to whack your head into that. it is partly the reason i look as i do now......