Does anyone have paint on their rigs as brittle as mine?

[johnrv4]

My '98 was Deep Amethyst and if you looked at it wrong it would scratch. My '01. 5 that is Flame Red is too early to tell. I wonder if their EPA approved water-based polyurethane paint isn't all it's cracked up to be #ad
#ad


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2001. 5 2500 Quad cab SLT 4x4 ETH/DEE, towing package, snow plow prep, 3:55 anti-spin, and other goodies. Flame Red

 

[RATTLINRAM]

Don't feel alone guys,
So far, this has been about the only thing I wasn't happy with. I bought my truck off the lot with less than 3,000 miles on it. It had never been titled because it had been used by the Dodge Diesel Service Group or something like that. Anyway, it had the factory bed liner in it which I had to remove to install my 5er hitch and tonneau cover. Now keep in mind, this liner was in for only 4 1/2 months according to the built date and the time I bought it. I was shocked at the wear on the paint and then I started to notice how easy it was to chip and/or scratch. And you can't say "all the newer vehicles are that way", for example; our daughter just bought a 2001 low budget Kia and it looks like it's got a helluva good paint job. I guess time will tell, but it just seems that a company producing high dollar Heavy-Duty trucks could invest a little more quality and durability into their vehicles' finish.
BTW, I'm going to give the bed the "LINE-X" treatment and keep the touch-up paint handy.

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Dennis in VA
"RATTLIN" *1999 2500 SPORT QUAD CAB* "RAM"
IntenseBlue/SB/Cummins/4x2/auto/3. 54AS/4whlABS/Camper&TowPkg/
Keyless/Leather/TravelConGrp/SecuritySys/6spkrCD*Cass/Strngwhlcntrls/
WestinTubeSteps/SoftTonneau/15k RBW 5th-WheelHitch/26'Nomad 5er (looking for a bigger one) and a way to take my HARLEY too!

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

My paint sucks too - it chips if you look at it funny. I hit a deer (2nd one) with my truck driving home saturday night from a GLTDR get together in Indianna and took out my passenger side doors (both of them) and the bed in front of the rear tire. I have zillions of chips on my rockers and my wheel well edge - I repair them as they happen. Well I now have to get one side of the truck refinished so I'm upgrading while I'm at it. I'm having the body shop fix the damage and primer the rockers, plus repair all the chips - then it's going over to the guys who did my bed liner (Perma-tech dealer) and they are going to spray the inside of the wheel well openings in black and then everything below the body line in a dark grey (to match the front bumper, right now the rockers are a lighter grey). Once that is done I shouldn't have any more problem with rock chips as everything that chips will be covered with Polyurethane. It's costing me $330 at the bed liner place for the work.



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax3, 275hp RV injectors, Joe Donnelly modifed Sachs Clutch, custom ladder bars, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

[DASH]

Just washed Ol'Red this morning, I have about 4300 miles on this baby and she already has rock chips, talk about brittle paint! I have the mud flaps from Geno's and they don't cover much, think I'll put some extensions on them and order some of that clear tape and cover up some problem spots. Dodge makes a nice truck, but sometimes I wonder about their paint, it's thin and chips way too easy! Does anyone else share these same feelings?

 

[SmokinJoe]

I have two Dodge Spirit RT's from Mexico, they are Indy Red. Both have paint related problems, just like your truck. I figured after 10 years DC would have those issues resolved...

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(2) Red 1990 Dodge Spirit RT 2. 2 Turbo cars
1990 Eagle Talon TSI AWD Modified
2001. 5 2500 4x4 on order...

 

[M_Pulling]

I too have the same problem. I was just wondering how many of you paid for and didn't get the Protective Coating that is listed on the Vehicle inventory sheet. My Window Sticker says my truck was treated with a protective coating on the lower panels of the body.

Well I used to own a Ford Festiva Cheapest vehicle I have ever owned. But sure enough it came from the factory with matching rubberized paint on the rocker panels. Hmmmmm that was a 8000. 00 car my truck is a 35000. 00 vehicle I must be missing something.

Just my . 02 worth.

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2001 2500 QC 4X2 Flame Red Clear Coat
Magalia Ram

[This message has been edited by M_Pulling (edited 03-10-2001). ]

 

[Whitmore]

I ordered a ram back in august and when it came in in only 28 days I was amazed,after looking at the paint job I could see that it was a total mess, it was like it had a coat of wax between the paint and the clear coat, the dealer was embarresed but needless to say we could not come to terms so I took my business elswhere and bought the same thing off the lot,I simply could not go another day without a cummer, Kevin

 

[Bumble]

Hey Steve, post some pictures of what your truck looks like after getting the rockers painted.

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2001, 3500, 5sp, 3. 54LS, 4x4, pyro and boost on the A-pillar, 165 watt backup lights, Thomas powered on-board air system, Grovers.

 

[Deezal Man]

Dash,

Until I owned the likes of Acura's and BMW's... . I never realized just how poor the piant is on American vehicles.

I don't know what we do different.

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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[Craig DeYoung]

I have a '98. 5 with white paint. I live on a dirt road. I noticed paint chips almost immediately, some almost dime sized. The paint plus the gray primer would both chip off leaving exposed metal. I was very disappointed with the paint (still am, I guess). I had to add large Warn fender flares and big mud flaps to reduce the chip rate. I've also found that my mud terrain tread with large voids throws much fewer rocks.

 

[Vaman]

My truck was built in St. Louis... the paint job was so bad they offered to repaint the whole truck. I said if this is how good it is from the factory, how good is a local job going to be? I just live with it...

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98. 5 2500, 24v, QC, 4x4, 4. 10 LSD, short bed, Line-X liner, tow package, camper suspension, Westin nerfs, camper shell, TST PowerMax3, 275 RVs, EGT/Boost pillar gauges... Love my Cummins, no love for Dodge

 

[1tuffram]

If you think the chips and scratches are bad, wait until the paint starts flaking off. The drivers side front fender has three spots where the paint has come off to the primer. One spot is a little larger than quarter size and other two about dime size.

What is the paint warranty? Bought truck in January '95.

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'95 2500 SLT 5 speed 4x4

 

[TREEMAN]

I think johnrv4 is on the right track ,the waterbased paint is not up for the job in any way shape or form. Be interested how the ferds & gm,s are holding upin the paint dept.

 

[JohnnieWinona]

I've owned several GMCs, use 'em off-road, live on a dirt road, and after 10 years they show wear with some chips etc... but me Red Dodge after 2 years is unbelievable. I have scratches, dings, chips, the bed is mostly grey, after 10 years GMC's bed still looked good. The paint on this truck is a piece of junk. It is one of the few disappointments with a fine machine.
98 24v 2500HD SLT 4x4 auto, longbox/regcab, towpackage, slider, cab/fog-lights, PowerLoc rear, factory tow hooks, flaps, 265x75 Michelin A/S, Firestone Ride-Rite air springs, LeerShell, StarCraft-StarMate camper, bedmat, K40radio/firestik, real red rig. Unflashed
56k asmilin’

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98 24v 2500HD SLT 4x4 auto, longbox/regcab, towpackage, slider, cab/fog-lights, PowerLoc, factory tow hooks, flaps, 265x75 Michelin A/S, Firestone Ride-Rite air springs, LeerShell, StarCraft-StarMate softside camper, bedmat, K40radio/firestik, real red rig. Unflashed
46k asmilin’

 

[BPINE]

Yep you look at my paint and it chips. #ad

 

[Morphious]

Between the scratches from my horses, trees, rocks and bugs. I don't even bother washing mine anymore. Been thinking about just painting the whole truck with bed liner stuff and being done with it.

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'99 2500 4x4 QC Std transmission, Purple (usually Mud Red), 10 Disc Sony Changer, 285x75Rx16 BFG Mudders, Gooseneck hitch, 275lb King Klaw front bumper, Towing/Camper packages. DDIII's, Exhaust, TTPM, Fuel Pressure, EGT adn Boost Guages are now installed an it rocks (fastest farm truck around). And can't forget the hydraulic PigSticker

1965 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup, 350-350hp/2spd powerglide, PS, PB, Disc Brakes on the front, Tilt, Fuel Cell, 3. 73 posi.

26ft Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer, 2 horse bumper pull, Round bale Trailer

1960 Farmal 340 Diesel Tractor.

 

[Whitmore]

Got to thinking about it today and it was not a bed liner spray but it was what the body shop called rock gaurd,it looks like a textured wall,then they sprayed paint over that,when the job was done I pressed on it with my finger nail and it flexed a little,I will do that again if my ram gets much worse,Kevin

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2001 eth dee,qc,lwb,3. 55,camper and tow pkg,driftwood,cummins e-brake,jardine 4" exhaust,dz alum checker run boards,bed rail,tailgate protector,better built alum checker toolbox with home made fuel tank under box,"CUMN" licence plates and captain vol fire dept plate too

 

[Whitmore]

For whatever its worth,on a different truck when I had it re-painted I had the body shop spray the bottem section with a layer of bed liner then paint over that,it looked very rugged and held up great for the next 4 yrs I owned the truck,I would not hessitate to do this again as its looks and durrability was great. #ad
the only other thing that I may do when my ram gets to that stage is have my friend make custom alum checker for my bottom section and rivvit them on,I think it would be cool. Kevin

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2001 eth dee,qc,lwb,3. 55,driftwood,cummins e-brake,jardine 4" exhaust,dz alum checker run boards,bed rail,tailgate protector,better built alum checker toolbox with home made fuel tank under box,"CUMN" licence plates and captain vol fire dept plate too

 

[DBuchheit]

My truck was built in August of 2000. It was held up at the plant (St. Louis) for several weeks, supposedly for inspection. Now I believe that they discovered paint problems and were either repainting it or waiting for the paint to cure long enough to pass it off.

After I had the truck a couple of weeks I noticed that the paint was chipping very easily. After a couple of months I found that it was scratching very easily also. This thing has more scratches on it now than my 13 year old Ford truck did when I sold it.

I've been "discussing" the problem with the dealer for about 2 months now. It seems that it is going to be a long slow process. It seems that they want the buyer to somehow prove that they haven't damaged the paint and prove that the paint isn't bad.

All I can say is take it to the dealer and keep at it.

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2001. 5 Intense Blue 2500 QC, SLT, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x2 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate, Trailer Tow Group, Sliding Rear Window, Line-X over the rail, Leer Cab Height Topper.

 

[Tulsa618]

I was shocked at the paint job that came on my St. Louis Ram. After working with the dealer, he talked me into having the worst of it repainted now, and to wait on the rest - he pointed out I have three years to get it done if I want to. The repair paint job on the right rear quarter was better than any on the rest of the truck! I've been waiting and watching since then (about 18 months) and have not noticed the bad spots I'd identified getting any worse, but I've certainly picked up some dings since then!

This dealer (Melton's in Claremeore, near Tulsa) has been on the up-and-up with me since I bought this truck and I believe I can get pretty much the rest of the truck repainted in the next 18 months if I want to. It's thoroughly documented so I don't expect any problems.

For more on this paint problem, see "St. Louis Paint Job": https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum15/HTML/000038.html

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Bruce Reynolds - Y2K 2500 QC 4X4 Sport, black 3. 54 auto, EVERY option but Cab Lights. K&N, gauges on the A-pillar, 275HP injectors, Van Aaken CPC, JRE 4" exhaust, BD valve body and Pressure Lock, Pro-Torque TC, Power Edge, and a TON of minor stuff.