I guess if you don't want what you paid for then this truck may be ok. I paid for a painted truck not a half painted truck. Are you really telling me that its ok to sell a product that is not done right? Sorry I don't buy it. I'm getting more ticked the more I think about it. It does justify a new truck! If Dodge cant deliver what they say then I don't want one!!! I will go elsewhere... They can give me my old truck back that was great and sell this one to someone that doesn't care! The sales man never once told me that I may get the truck and it might not have paint! Again I bought this truck new and it should be right!!! I don't need to measure the thickness of the paint. I can see the primmer It does not take a genius to figure this out. They can use it as a crash test for all I care. I want what I ordered.
-
TDR Magazine subscribers receive more than the magazine! You also gain additional forum privileges!
Details here: TDR Privileges
Subscribe to TDR Magazine here: https://www.tdr-online.com/
Paint problems HELP!!
- Thread starter davidking
- Start Date
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.
Thanks, TDR Staff
- Status
product quality
D-C definitely has some things to fix, but we all have to play the warranty game. It would be the same if your motor or rear end shelled out. They would have their 30 days/5 tries to fix it, before legal trouble would ensue. They are only obligated to repaint the thin panels, and usually only those that you happen to notice. I really would have the paint thickness checked over the whole truck, because this will let you know if the whole thing needs a repaint. Maybe you could have it checked on someone elses truck so you have a baseline to compare to. Hopefully you are a known good customer to the dealership, because favoritism definitely works to your advantage when warranty and service issues come up. Legally they are obligated to fix the problems, and you are obligated to let them try. Read your warranty packet for more details. Being you only have 1000 miles/3 weeks of ownership, there may be other courses of action, but I do not know what they would be. I do know that if the dealership/D-C ended up buying the truck back, they would have another owner lined up immediately to get their hands on an 03 at "used" price.
D-C definitely has some things to fix, but we all have to play the warranty game. It would be the same if your motor or rear end shelled out. They would have their 30 days/5 tries to fix it, before legal trouble would ensue. They are only obligated to repaint the thin panels, and usually only those that you happen to notice. I really would have the paint thickness checked over the whole truck, because this will let you know if the whole thing needs a repaint. Maybe you could have it checked on someone elses truck so you have a baseline to compare to. Hopefully you are a known good customer to the dealership, because favoritism definitely works to your advantage when warranty and service issues come up. Legally they are obligated to fix the problems, and you are obligated to let them try. Read your warranty packet for more details. Being you only have 1000 miles/3 weeks of ownership, there may be other courses of action, but I do not know what they would be. I do know that if the dealership/D-C ended up buying the truck back, they would have another owner lined up immediately to get their hands on an 03 at "used" price.
I worked in service at a D. C. 6 pck dealer. I met them because I worked at a G. M. dealer and was sending gm peelers to the dc dealer. Any how i changed stores and went to work at dc dealer>AND 90% of warranty paint work(under 12,000 miles) was gm and ford from the other near by dealers. Now I know you wont want to hear this but repaint is much thicker then factory and if done correctly(BLACK is a PAIN)looks better!The d. c. dealer i worked for had a picky picky body shop manager and they did LOTS of S. E. Stangs and Lighting Ford trucks(Black)and Black Eldos etc. They gave a LIFETIME warranty on paint to original owner. Had very few rechecks. Did very few D. C. products compared to others. Stuck with a dealer body shop becuse they were less likely to fold. The D. C. dealer has been around since 1970or 71. All independents in that area had come and gone at some point. The d. c dealer i was at did paint for Painos racing,a custom auto with stang running gear
OK, Lets just say that DC says they will only repaint and that is that. So even if I pick the shop, are they just going to sand around the decals and stickers in the door jams? I can also see the primmer in there. What about the lack of paint under all the window moldings? I'm sure the moisture sits in there. And would they just tape off the over the rail line-X and leave a pain line? I have had cars painted before and was never happy. Always had over spray all over! I really cant see why I would measure the paint? It seems like common sense that if you can see the primmer then the paint is thin. I would be willing to bet that there is barley any primmer either. Like i said before I'm going to try to be reasonable about this. Are there any dealers that care to help out and give some input? I would appreciate any advice. Thank you.
more advice
Obviously you would not want your truck done in a shop that you have had problems with before. Does the local dealer operate a paint shop? Have you seen their work? Ask for references. You will either be happy with the paint job or have a new truck. If you are unhappy with the repaint, DO NOT TAKE IT HOME!!! Nobody wants to do this paint job again, and D-C will not want to repaint it again. Whatever shop does the painting will bear responsibility for the job. D-C will want to have it handled in one of their shops if possible. Don't be afraid to check into other dealerships that do quality work.
The decals and stickers in the jambs are there to stay. It is a federal crime to tamper with them. Experienced painters do not leave tape lines or overspray on the truck. Being black, dirt and sanding marks stand out. Look your truck over really well and look for dirt and nibs in the paint. Hopefully there are very few, as warranty work returns the truck to like condition and not a show perfect job.
As far as measuring the paint, I would expect the dealership to do that to determine what needs to be painted. D-C would be aware of problems at paint factories by now. They would know what steps or problems caused this. They would know what areas were affected. Part of the warranty process is identifying who, what, when, where, why, and how. Often the repair process is delayed a little bit so proper investigations can take place to determine exactly what happened and how to avoid future occurances with a cost-saving solution.
Primer, base color, and clear operations take place at different stages along the assembly lines. Just because one may be thin does not necessarily mean another paint operation is also lacking build. That is why paint measuring would normally be done to determine how extensive the repaint would be.
You may naturally see the primer in the jambs and some inside edges. You would have to look at another truck with correct thickness to determine what should have paint on it. I alway buy a two-tone paint truck because a two-tone truck has two color paint jobs on it. That means twice the protection before rust starts.
When I do warranty paint work involving peelers, I use a spray on stripper to remove the paint layer by layer. Using a sander often leaves waves in your paint, requiring an extra prime and sand operation. Black trucks show all. Whatever paint quality you have visually on the surface now will more than likely be the same quality after a repaint. A good shop would try for the best job possible, and not just do the work to the hours that D-C would pay them. A good job would involve removing mouldings and the like.
Sorry for all the long posts. I have worked both sides of the counter before. I have been an autobody tech for a long time, then been a GM service manager, and then returned to body work because neither GM nor D-C would pay enough to do the manager job. A cool head does prevail. Do not be afraid to ask questions about prodedures or quality. Nobody wants to go through this again. I wish you the best of luck, and hope for the best in the long run.
Obviously you would not want your truck done in a shop that you have had problems with before. Does the local dealer operate a paint shop? Have you seen their work? Ask for references. You will either be happy with the paint job or have a new truck. If you are unhappy with the repaint, DO NOT TAKE IT HOME!!! Nobody wants to do this paint job again, and D-C will not want to repaint it again. Whatever shop does the painting will bear responsibility for the job. D-C will want to have it handled in one of their shops if possible. Don't be afraid to check into other dealerships that do quality work.
The decals and stickers in the jambs are there to stay. It is a federal crime to tamper with them. Experienced painters do not leave tape lines or overspray on the truck. Being black, dirt and sanding marks stand out. Look your truck over really well and look for dirt and nibs in the paint. Hopefully there are very few, as warranty work returns the truck to like condition and not a show perfect job.
As far as measuring the paint, I would expect the dealership to do that to determine what needs to be painted. D-C would be aware of problems at paint factories by now. They would know what steps or problems caused this. They would know what areas were affected. Part of the warranty process is identifying who, what, when, where, why, and how. Often the repair process is delayed a little bit so proper investigations can take place to determine exactly what happened and how to avoid future occurances with a cost-saving solution.
Primer, base color, and clear operations take place at different stages along the assembly lines. Just because one may be thin does not necessarily mean another paint operation is also lacking build. That is why paint measuring would normally be done to determine how extensive the repaint would be.
You may naturally see the primer in the jambs and some inside edges. You would have to look at another truck with correct thickness to determine what should have paint on it. I alway buy a two-tone paint truck because a two-tone truck has two color paint jobs on it. That means twice the protection before rust starts.
When I do warranty paint work involving peelers, I use a spray on stripper to remove the paint layer by layer. Using a sander often leaves waves in your paint, requiring an extra prime and sand operation. Black trucks show all. Whatever paint quality you have visually on the surface now will more than likely be the same quality after a repaint. A good shop would try for the best job possible, and not just do the work to the hours that D-C would pay them. A good job would involve removing mouldings and the like.
Sorry for all the long posts. I have worked both sides of the counter before. I have been an autobody tech for a long time, then been a GM service manager, and then returned to body work because neither GM nor D-C would pay enough to do the manager job. A cool head does prevail. Do not be afraid to ask questions about prodedures or quality. Nobody wants to go through this again. I wish you the best of luck, and hope for the best in the long run.
Blacky
My black one's 6 days old today. Paint's BEAUTIFUL! Not a flaw, anywhere, that I can see! So, maybe all's not lost!
Washed it twice so far & I can't see anything wrong with it, anywhere. But some $%^^&#@%%$#@*&^^ I went by the other day on the highway flipped a rock up & nailed my windshield; nice little star!
Oregon uses 3/4 inch rock to "sand" the roads!
My black one's 6 days old today. Paint's BEAUTIFUL! Not a flaw, anywhere, that I can see! So, maybe all's not lost!
Washed it twice so far & I can't see anything wrong with it, anywhere. But some $%^^&#@%%$#@*&^^ I went by the other day on the highway flipped a rock up & nailed my windshield; nice little star!
Oregon uses 3/4 inch rock to "sand" the roads!
I had a paint problem with my 97 2500 . I had the dealer fix it . Now i went to trade it in on an 03. they offer me a B. S. price because they saw a little overspray. I reminded them that they repainted the fender when it was new. Anyway to make a long story short i order my 03 from another dealer. If my new truck has any paint problem when it comes in I will walk away and they can sell it on the lot. Paint is a basic quality controll issue. You know the factory is aware of these problem. Its just easier to have the dealer fix them and take our money.
shoddy work
ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS inspect the work done. NEVER NEVER accept inferior work. If the factory did it that way (usually they do it right), then it should not be any less quality. Your position for getting the job done right is hampered if you accept the work and take the vehicle. I feel sick everytime I see inferior work, that the customer accepted, which should have never left the shop.
ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS inspect the work done. NEVER NEVER accept inferior work. If the factory did it that way (usually they do it right), then it should not be any less quality. Your position for getting the job done right is hampered if you accept the work and take the vehicle. I feel sick everytime I see inferior work, that the customer accepted, which should have never left the shop.
WELL I MET THE DODGE REP AT THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK AT TODAY. BENOY MOTOR SALES IN WOODSTOCK IL. 815-338-5100. THEY SAY THE PAINT IS OK AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING. THAT'S RIGHT IT'S OK THAT YOU CAN SEE THE PRIMMER AND THAT IS THAT. IF YOU CAN REMMEMBER THE DEALER WAS GOING TO PAINT THE FENDER BEFORE. WELL NOW THEY SAY IF DODGE SAYS IT'S OK THEN THEY WONT FIX IT!!!! WE WENT TO THE PAINT SHOP AND THEY MEASURED THE PAINT AND SAYS THE TOTAL THICKNESS IS OK BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS ENOUGH PAINT TO COVER THE PRIMMER. WELL THAT MEANS IT'S OK IN DODGE'S EYES. NOT MINE!! I WILL PLACE ADDS IN THE PAPERS AND MAKE A SIGN FOR MY FRONT YARD ABOUT THE DEALER. I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN. I WILL BEAT THIS ONE AND BREAK AS MANY PARTS AS I CAN UNDER WARR! THEY WOULD HAVE MADE OUT MUCH BETTER BY MAKING THIS RIGHT! AND BUY THE WAY FOR YOU GUYS THAT SAY YOU DONT KNOW WHERE THE REV LIMITER IS, I DO IT'S 3500 RPM AND THAT IS WHERE MINE WILL RUN AS LONG AS I OWN IT! HOT OR COLD IT STAYS ON THE FLOOR!! There I feel better now. But meant every word. I cant believe how I was treated buy the dealer that sold me this shi- box. I will make this right. If I keep a few people from buying at this dealer then I'm happy.
Its not the dealer,D. C. said would'nt allow the claim. I had Cadallic several times tell me no they wouldnt pay claim if We did anything to a auto they inspected. Said we(dealer)could pay for it but they wouldnt. Said they would buy auto back first but if customer pushed it they had to go lemon law and let the panal inspect and decide. Some were paint issues some were mech. issues. Claimed if they did anything it wouldnt be any better and might end up buying it back anyway so why go threw all the redo stuff and double spend. But it wasnt a DEALER decison. Did have NISSAN repaint numerous black 300z and Pathfinders with acid rain on a one time deal. They paid for paint. All partys inspected. Body shop,owner,rep and dealer manager and if ok owner signed a statement they they would NEVER have a paint issue again. Hate to say this also but 95% of paint issues is BLACK paint. Personally wouldnt own a black because of this.
Last edited:
The first time I brought the truck to the dealer they said they would paint the fender. On a sunny day before the paint shop apointment i noticed it all over the truck. That is when they said it is DC's problem. Well not this guy says it's fine and they wont do anything. So is it ok that the guy working for DC says there is no problem? NO!! That's what he is paid to do. So now what? I'm going to visit my last dealer and see what they say. I guess I have to have several paint shops put it in writing that there is no paint on the truck and i WIL go to a lawyer. I have cost the dealer one sale already. My friend was going to buy one off the lot and there is no way he will now! And it has plenty to do with the dealer. They sold it to me. They should stand behind it. Better yet, IN FRONT OF IT!!
TW your Lawyer and then have some signs made for the truck stating the bad paint problem on 03 Dodge trucks and then never wash it or wax it and keep it outside all of the time so it looks like cr*p. That will lose them more sales then anything. If your not up to that much fun then trade it in on another brand truck that you can live with. Most important do what makes "YOU" feel better 
I bet they were kissing your a$$ when they wanted your $40,000. It burns me up. My truck will be here soon. If i see one thing wrong they dealer can stick it were the sun don't shine. Don't give up tell them you want to see another rep. Send a letter to dodge corpporate. Get repair estimates from several body shops. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Call D. C. and request another look at another dealer with another rep or a higher up. DONT keep it dirty or scratch it etc. Take it to them spotless. Folks bring them in dirty etc. and they will turn it down asap. Looks like you dont give a crap so why fix paint. CALL D. C. asap and get ball rolling again. Also ask to meet with dealer owner were you bought it and or general manager. Get sales manager involed also. I've seen dealer owner totaly disagree with rep and make it happen. HE wants to sell more trucks to YOU. His sales rep can also get involed. All partys above if they agree with you will handle service rep and D. C. and try to be business like. Cursing etc will also put halt to them.
David, what was the reason the DC rep gave for not wanting to repair it?
Also, why are you mad at the dealer? Trying to cost him sales will not get him on your side. As noted above, you get more help when you are all working together.
He has no obligation to repair it. The warranty comes from DC, not the dealer. Was this a $$$ over invoice sale, or did you pay sticker? All those things might be coming into play here.
Also, why are you mad at the dealer? Trying to cost him sales will not get him on your side. As noted above, you get more help when you are all working together.
He has no obligation to repair it. The warranty comes from DC, not the dealer. Was this a $$$ over invoice sale, or did you pay sticker? All those things might be coming into play here.
- Status
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
Turbo Diesel Register
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
