2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Why has my paint job held up so good

[wlowe]

After I purchased my Dodge Ram in 2001 I started noticing other Rams with terrible paint jobs. The clear coat had peeled off the hoods and cabs and sometimes the fenders. I did some reading/research and found that this was a common problem and many blamed it on poor quality paint. Well, I wasn't happy but I knew I was going to keep the truck so I grit my teeth and resigned myself to the possibility of my truck looking the same way in a few years.



To make a long story short my truck still looks as good as the day I bought it. You ask me how this is so, my answer is I don't know, that is why I'm posting this to get your opinions. For the first two years the truck was garaged, but for the next nine years it has sat out in the sun in temperatures over 100 degrees most of the summer. I wash it once a week and wax it every six months. I do use Meguiars Hi-Tec wax and a clay bar, maybe that is the reason.



So what do you guys think, why has mine held up so good, just luck of the draw or is it just a question of maintenance. Anybody maintain their trucks like I do and still have paint problems.

 

[DAN V]

Same here

same situation here with my truck. I have only had it a few months and it looks brand new. I had a 2011 3500 and I could see runs in the paint all over. I think Chrysler cheaped out on the quality of paint on the "newer" trucks. But this is just my opinion.

 

[JMetzger]

My 02 still looks as good as new. I keep it garaged when not in use & polish it every 4-6 months with Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax. Everyone comments how good the truck looks.

 

[DavidC]

Mine looks better than new. It has 85k on the odometer and it did not get that sitting in the garage. The truck is kept in the garage at night tho. The sealant of choice since new has been Zaino polishes which use to be highly recommended on this forum.

Dave

 

[BIGNASTY]

3 of the 4 products I use from Maguires 4th is their Car Wash. Paint recon cream is used with an assortment of pads on a RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER WITH VELCRO PADS from Porter Cable. Mine came with a decent paint job I thought but talked to mobile detail-er that took care of Company cars and it made it EVEN BETTER. 1 time a year with Paint Recon and clay bar and 3 times a year with wax.

 

[Ram4Sam]

They must have used some pretty good paint and had some good robots doing the spraying. The paint on my truck still looks great and I can't take much credit for that. It has never been in a garage, always been outside in the sun. Plus, it has only been waxed maybe four times, with whatever was on sale at Pep Boys at the time.....



Sam

 

[JMarhofke]

My 1995 4x4 with 45,000 miles still looks like new also with the exception of one small "blemish" on the hood. It came that way from the factory, and still looks the same today. Garage kept and detailed on a regular basis. .

 

[Newt]

My 09 has sit outside every day of it's life. Except for rock chips, the paint looks good. Another vote for Meguairs.

Newt

 

[Road Dog]

My '02 looks fine and I do nothing to protect the paint. My previous '98 looked good after 10 years too.

To do paint right you have to control the drying time which is affected by the temperature and humidity. Maybe certain months are better than others. Maybe the paint varies from batch to batch. Maybe your local environment (air and water pollutants) matters too.

 

[GrantP]

I bought my 97 in 2003 and the paint had already completely peeled off of the roof and was starting to peel on the hood. Previous owner believed that waxing actually ruined the paint job because it was abrasive. The truck is/was always parked outside and there is nothing but primer on the roof and hood now. I lose more paint every time it rains. Even without any waxing, complete paint failure in less than 6 years seems pretty bad. I wonder if it matters what color it was? Mine was Driftwood. I say "was" because most of it has separated itself from the truck. :-(

I have never waxed this truck since the paint job had already failed when I bought it but I am a believer in the once or twice a year wax job to keep the paint in good condition.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I bought my 97 in 2003 and the paint had already completely peeled off of the roof and was starting to peel on the hood. Previous owner believed that waxing actually ruined the paint job because it was abrasive. The truck is/was always parked outside and there is nothing but primer on the roof and hood now. I lose more paint every time it rains. Even without any waxing, complete paint failure in less than 6 years seems pretty bad. I wonder if it matters what color it was? Mine was Driftwood. I say "was" because most of it has separated itself from the truck. :-(

I have never waxed this truck since the paint job had already failed when I bought it but I am a believer in the once or twice a year wax job to keep the paint in good condition.

I was told that the clear coat is what BAKES in the sun and dries out and then peels off. The detail-er told me to use a carnauba wax it kept the clear coat moist???? Living in Phoenix I dont know how ANYTHING lasts in the summer its like living on the surface of the SUN!!! He also said that some of those special coating waxes cause problems with clear coat.

 

[GrantP]

I was told that the clear coat is what BAKES in the sun and dries out and then peels off. The detail-er told me to use a carnauba wax it kept the clear coat moist???? Living in Phoenix I dont know how ANYTHING lasts in the summer its like living on the surface of the SUN!!! He also said that some of those special coating waxes cause problems with clear coat.

The original owner was a relative of mine in Dallas and that is where the damage started. Dallas is still a hot and sunny place but not exactly the scorched earth that Phoenix is (It's 115 right now and I'm a little bitter).



I don't know if it was a clear coat failure or not. In my case it seems that the paint is simply separating from the primer, maybe regular waxing would've prevented it... maybe not.

 

[AEdelheit]

Waxing doesnt cause paint to fall off, poor paint and prep does. The paint on second gens peels off, indicating its loosing its grip to the metal or primer. If it was an abrasive like wax then it would run through from the top, not peel off from the bottom. I dont think waxing will keep the paint on or off, it makes it look good, keeps it shiny and I use wax personally but since there are common areas for the paint to peel (roof,hood, bed sides) it tells me it was doomed from the beginning, no amount of wax or protection could help you much.

 

[BIGNASTY]

The original owner was a relative of mine in Dallas and that is where the damage started. Dallas is still a hot and sunny place but not exactly the scorched earth that Phoenix is (It's 115 right now and I'm a little bitter).

I don't know if it was a clear coat failure or not. In my case it seems that the paint is simply separating from the primer, maybe regular waxing would've prevented it... maybe not.

I can only imagine the heat that you are feeling AND IT WONT BE ANY BETTER AT NITE!!!! Im no paint guy but Chevy was one of the first to go to (I think it was water base paint) and it didn't last to long ,go over 85 MPH and it seemed like it would peel off. thank Ca green peace wieners they are the ones that made it so you cant buy oil base paint and some of the other ones that OTHER STATES USE!!!!

 

[jgillott]

I hope you people realize that because of this thread, I spent the evening waxing my '07. I felt guilty not doing it this summer. :-laf

 

[Joe Mc]

I wonder if it matters what color it was? Mine was Driftwood. I say "was" because most of it has separated itself from the truck. :-(



I have never waxed this truck since the paint job had already failed when I bought it but I am a believer in the once or twice a year wax job to keep the paint in good condition.

I was wondering the same thing and think it is a combination of water based paints used and the Silver & Lt. Driftwood colors seem to be the worst.



My buddy has an 01 that is solid white and looks like it's new.



For those guys that are lucky enough to have their paint "still look like new" (I'm jealous and happy for you) but I really wonder what their colors are?

 

[wlowe]

I was wondering the same thing and think it is a combination of water based paints used and the Silver & Lt. Driftwood colors seem to be the worst.

My buddy has an 01 that is solid white and looks like it's new.

For those guys that are lucky enough to have their paint "still look like new" (I'm jealous and happy for you) but I really wonder what their colors are?

Like you, I always thought that silver was one of the colors prone to fading and sun damage but as I said in my earlier post my paint looks like new and my truck is bright silver. So far I haven't read a post where the owner regularly waxed his truck and still had paint damage. So I guess the jury is still out on whether it is a lack of maintenance or defective paint.

 

[DavidC]

I hope you people realize that because of this thread, I spent the evening waxing my '07. I felt guilty not doing it this summer. :-laf

HA HA. That's one way to get it done.



Dave

 

[Tractorat]

My truck has never been garaged. Its always in the elements, and parked on gravel side of my drive way. In seattle, we can get extreme weather (over 100 or down close to zero). But the really hot (or cold) weather usually only stays around for a few days (or weeks). I have driven my truck down to the sw in the heat of the summer several times, but that is only for a couple of weeks at a time.

When I first got my truck, I planned to keep it well waxed (the best laid plans of mice and men..... ) I did notice that the paint can rub off easily Like running the hose over the fender when washing), so Im careful there.

The last couple of years, I have made a point of waxing (turtle wax), but most years not. I always get comments about how great my truck looks (just like new).
BTW, its an 02

 

[Road Dog]

For those guys that are lucky enough to have their paint "still look like new" (I'm jealous and happy for you) but I really wonder what their colors are?

My good paint is light silver. The trucks have three coats -- primer, colour & clear coat. Later Chryslers tinted the clear coat to give it depth (that candy apple look). It made repairs much more expensive.