:'( everyone i know with a new 2003 ram 2500/3500 says the paint scratches easily. i just got my new 2500 cummins h.o. 48re 11.5 4.10 rear axle quad cab short bed in patriot blue. i noticed there are a couple tiny scratches from driving around. i was in a minor construction area i heard some little rocks hitting but to scratch the truck already...ARE YOU SERIOUS.. does anyone have any idea on what to do? :'(

 

Haven't had a problem with a lot of scratches, but I did get hit on the hood with a pretty good sized rock on the highway. I now have four gouges in the clearcoat right on top of the hood. > Oh well, guess it IS a truck...

 

Mine's Patriot blue too and it looks awesome when it's clean but when it rains the truck looks like crap immediately. As far as scratches, yes it scratches easily. I bought mine at night and didn't even notice a big scratch in the clearcoat until the next day but I wasn't going through the hassle of taking it back and waiting for it to be fixed. It is a truck and I will just buy some touch-up paint and keep fixing the scratches and chips. I just scratched my tailgate up pretty badly the other day at work!! > (This was completely my fault though)!!!

good luck.....

 

I also have a patriot blue 03 and totally agree with some of the comments. I am not sure if you are aware of an earlier problem with the primer. Mine was caught in that an apparantly passed the test. I have not noticed any paint chipping. I have installed some large dodge flaps on the back and some running boards and flaps on the front which protect from small rocks flipping up. I also have the standard dodge front deflector. These help avoid a lot of paint damage, however the coat is really thin and even samll tree branches can leave a scratch. I would never take this truck out in the bush as long as I want it to look good. Paint is just too thin. :-

 

cant we do something about this? :'(.

my truck is gonna be a mud bogger i dont want it to look like crap just because of my sunday fun! :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

 

Patriot blue also...If the wind changes directions mine gets scratched! Kinda p***** me off. >

John

 

Patriot Blue Here.

I never really trust factory paint. I applied a couple coats of Liquid Glass immediately, and had Large factory mud flaps installed. Probably 60-70% of my driving is on gravel and un-improved roads, and my paint seems to be holding up quite well. I don't know if it's from the Liquid Glass or what, but I'm happy with it. I am careful with it, and wash it frequently to keep dust to a minimum.

 

Where do you get this liquid glass and how much does it cost? Might be the answer. ???

 

[quote author=sullivad link=board=17;threadid=18911;start=0#msg178913 date=1062337642]
Where do you get this liquid glass and how much does it cost? Might be the answer. ???
[/quote]

I've seen liquid glass at different auto parts stores and if you do a search on any search engine, you'll get lots of hits. BTW, I never thought there was anything special about the product. I have a friend that swears by it, but myself and others like different brands of wax/protectents.

Hey anyone know where I can get Simoniz paste car wax? I havn't been able to find it for years and it was my favorite wax.

 

You guys should try living with a BLACK rig. :'(
I've got to agree, I think the paint is way too fragile. I've put a few coats of Liquid Glass on mine, I think it helps but I'm not exactly a test lab. You can get it online, I think it's www.liquidglass.com but if not it's something like that. A lot of guys swear by Zaino Brothers too. Both products are polymer based, not wax, so technically they should be thickening the clear coat with every app.

I'm just gonna repaint mine in a couple of years right after I finish painting the windows in my house