Patriot Blue thin paint problem?

[dPierce]

There are other posts around here about thin paint and I've seen a couple comments that it might be color specific to Patriot Blue. Can others with this color share their paint condition and experience.



I have posted in other threads that my paint scratches and chips way to easily, it's like it has no hardness or protection whatsoever. I'm scared what this thing will look like after a few years, especially with the white primer showing through.



If there are enough people with this problem maybe we can get something done about it.



Pierce

 

[ttreibel]

Mine was built Oct 2002 I got it in mid December. I have several scratches mostly in the tailgate from climbing in the back after tools or toys.



I didn't get a spray bed liner so the box inside is really scratched up.



My first trip out I got a small scratch on the passenger rear door about 4 inches I am glad it was not he who put it there, Kristie was mad.



The paint is not the toughest I have had. I mainly don't want it coming off in big sheets like all those 88-91 cars and trucks you see (that look like something out of "The Road Warrior"



I can understand some being ticked-off if you want to trade it in a year or two or if you show it for competition. I plan on owning the truck tens years hope it stays looking nice but understand it is a work truck and a 4x4, a few scratches will not make me lose sleep. If the paint does fail I hope my file is updated with that 10/100 PPG warranty I read about here recently.

 

[rmcnamee]

Mine is an '04 (Patriot Blue), and the paint is good with the exception of the door jams. For the most part, the door jams are covered in paint, however the coverage is next to noting in the areas of the doors hinges... you can see the light gray primer. My 1998 Patriot Blue Durango was the same way.



Ryan

 

[ttreibel]

Here is a photo of the bed, it is very dirty and I have some junk in the way but you can see the scratches from shifting tool loads.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Originally posted by rmcnamee

Mine is an '04 (Patriot Blue), and the paint is good with the exception of the door jams. For the most part, the door jams are covered in paint, however the coverage is next to noting in the areas of the doors hinges... you can see the light gray primer. My 1998 Patriot Blue Durango was the same way.



Ryan

The door jams of mine are painted better than

most of the body :{



Mine is Patriot blue as well and the paint is real thin at the bottom edges of the sides of the bed. It's got a fair amount of clear coat there, just not much color.

 

[rbattelle]

I'm with rmcnamee, in door jambs and behind all the trim pieces there is little or no color coat. All the normally-visible exterior parts have enough paint to cover the primer. There is 1 large (4 inch by 1 inch oval) missed spot on the passenger side rocker panel (behind the door).



I recently managed to make a small chip on the tailgate, along with several short scratches. My paint is quite easily scratched. There is rumor that some of us will be getting letters extending our paint warranty. I hope that's true.

 

[Mr.Goat]

dPierce



My 1995 Dodge was patriot blue. It showed scratch's easily. I attributed it to the dark colour and the clear coat. I never thought the paint was soft, and the coverage was good. I had that truck repainted after several years of wear and tear by a good body shop. The new paint was no different in durability than the original.



I'am on my second 2003 Dodge since Oct. 2002 (long story). Both patriot blue. The paint seems to have the same durability as the 95. I have not noticed any thin spots.



I agree it seems to mark easily, but again I attribute this to the dark colour and the clear coat. It doesn't help when my lab gets impatient to have the tail gate lowered, so he proceeds to go over by sliding his front paws down the outside of the gate.



These are my experiences with patriot blue. Pete

 

[MadBomber]

My '02 has rock chips all over - even 5 or 6 on the tailgate...

 

[JoeDiesel]

My truck had a whole 94 miles on the odometer when I was at a local truck shop to install my $1500. 00 ARE cab high camper top. The rear window was out of alignment from the factory. As the shop technicians attempted to "realign" the window, it shattered sending millions of little glass shards all over the entire truck. It was like someone shot a bullet through the glass. Well the "bright" workers used a water hose to push off the glass from the top of the shell. The shards of glass coupled with the weight of the water landed on the "flared sides" of the bed. It left me with multiple gouges clear through the paint and on to the white primer on both sides of the truck. Do I even need to tell you how I felt??? I took a walk and came back a little later because I was armed at the time and I did not want to do something crazy..... All this unnecessary aggravation netted me a $200. 00 discount on my purchase. I'm too tired to sue. How sad is this story? I love the color of my truck. I just wish I could have owned it a little longer before the inevitable "First Hit" occurred.

 

[dslcummins]

I have a 03 Patriot Blue. I have 20,000 miles on it and I have small chips, it scratches easily. On the drivers door, you can see where my sits, when I have the window down. I talked to a dealer about it, when I was having my alternator bracket replaced. I got nowhere and he claims it has to do with the new paint they are required to use. I am the same way, if it looks this bad now, it really will look bad in a couple of years.

 

[Mr.Goat]

I'am going to jump into this topic again. The bottom portions of my patriot blue truck are silver and this is the colour that has received the worst chipping obviously due to it's location. There is no difference in the durability between the two colours in my opinion, there both on the soft side. Pete

 

[Eric_77]

Oh wonderful I had a 92 silver and blue Dodge that at least 75% of the paint peeled off of. Dodge wouldn't warrant it because it was outside 36 months when it started (it was stored inside and sevice guy told me all the others he had seen from 92 had failed in less than 2 years but they were all stored outside). Mine seems to be fine now but like I said it went to hell in about 3-4 years. I hope this one does not fail like that as this is NOT suppossed to be a work truck.



BTW all my paint looks good, truck was built in Mexico. Where were the ones with bad paint made?

 

[rashwor]

Joe...

That is a bummer of a first hit! :--) It should net you a re-paint of the entire truck paid for by the shop that did the work. Good thing you went walking.

 

[NSperduto]

Hmmm, first I've ever heard of bad paint on Dodges.

My friends have two 3 98's and a 2000 Dodge and I have a 98 Dakota stored outside since new, with 160k. Paint still looks brand new.



nick

 

[Duck]

Just in case DC is counting, put me down as a "ditto".



I love the color, but it scratches unbelievably easy. I threw a rug into the back of my truck when it was new and it slid along the bed rail a bit before dropping in. Yup, all scratched up. Not just the clear coat, all the way through the paint!

 

[DLeno]

what I don't get is why the scratch problem appears to be unique to the blue or perhaps silver as well. those aren't the only colors that have clearcoat over the top, and it would seem to me that scratching the clearcoat would be the same risk for all colors (that have clearcoat).

 

[Eric_77]

Ah you guys just reminded I loaded a plastic tool box into truck before I had been liner installed and it did leave a few deep scracthes all the way to the metal, and it was a light box only about 35 pounds. I have only hand washed it to this point I guess I will stay away from the pressure washes or the "foaming brush" at the self service car washes.