2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Warning about Paint

[krs]

I have a '98 2500 that had aftermarket stainless steel stick-on panels on the panels below the beltline when I bought it. I don't know how long they had been installed. These panels are not something that I like much but the price was right and I figured it'd be little trouble to remove them. I was wrong about that - the 3m (I guess it is 3m) sticky stuff holds(!) and we spent quite a while with heat and work to get the things off.



But that's not what this is about. The paint under the panels had a milky white splotchy color deep in the dark green that looked lousy. I found a TSB about the very situation: http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/23-25-00.htm

followed the directions to the letter but it only helped a little. Note that the text says that if it doesn't work repainting is the fix. Now I'm repainting the entire below the belt area on both sides, front to back.



The deal is this:if you put anything on your truck that covers the paint such as bras and even magnetic signs you are very likely risking the destruction of your paintjob.

 

[stacerbob]

Some people should never be left alone with the JC Whittney catalogue!!!

You should add some chip guard to the truck before you paint it to avoid the rock chips later, perfect time to have it done.

 

[Got Smoke?]

How about a spray on bed liner such as Line-X or Rhino Liner on the rockers, but matched to your paint?



Bound to be LESS than painting the area, and it will protect againts chips.

 

[benhall]

I have seen pics of the Line-X on someones truck from here. I don't remember who it is, but it is something that I will be doing when my 3/36 is up.



Ben

 

[krs]

I was going o use a bedliner at first, but it seemed like I was giving up. So I'll try my hand at painting it and if it turns out bad I'll either take it somewhere to have painted or use a bedliner. FWIW I think Rhinoliner is too rough looking for the rockers. I like it in beds and have it in one of them but the texture is really lumpy.

 

[stacerbob]

I think the Line-X can be applied smoother if wanted.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Line-x is considerably smoother than Rhino liner, not as tough mind you (if I remember right, it has a little less than half the tensile strength of Rhino).

 

[KL]

Another type truck bed lining which is fairly smooth like Line-X , is Arama Coat. It is also applied hot. KL

 

[DSteinel]

Sled puller has it on his truck and unless you are up close you cannot tell it is on there

 

[krs]

I'm starting to wish that I'd gone direct to a bedliner. Getting all the tiny dings, ripples, and one dent smooth and feathered is almost as bad as working with drywall mud.