Just want to take poll. I am a loyal dodge customer. Last 4 veh. have been dodge. First notised on a 02 2500 how easily the paint seemed to chip. My 04.5 seemes to be same way. Are other makes like this to or is Dodge trying to save a few bucks with thinner paint? On a side note: My 04.5 cummins 600 was special ordered and delivered with rust spots already on engine block.

 

Here we go again. Lots of previous posts and threads on the poor paint quality on our trucks. Do a search and read for hours.

 

Moving this out of engine and drivetrain to appropriate forum.

 

After about 9 months ownership and 17K miles, the paint is holding up great on my 03. I have the Graphite Metallic/Silver 2 tone. It has a few stone chips, but this paint is much better than my previous few vehicles (All Mazdas.) I think the metallic paints are a little bit stronger because most paint complaints come from people with the solid colors. I hear a lot of complaints on here about the Patriot Blue.

 

The EPA has cracked down on the auto industry so much that most of them have poor paint. I just had my whole cab shot with a few extra coats of clear to help keep chips down.

 

My paint is not so good. The engine and drive train very good. The two Fo--s I have owned good paint not so good engine and drive train. I will take the Dodge.

 

Just traded 03 black dually; no problem with paint chips, seemed to be good finish. Only 150 miles on 04.5, I just finished putting cleaner, polish and two coats of wax on truck, paint looked good.

 

Garnet Red. Manufacture of 6/2003. Swept the snow off last week with a push broom. On the side that the snow had melted underneath and refroze, when I brushed that frozen stuff off, the paint was scratched just like it had been steel wooled. Really! Surface scratches terrible enough for the light to be refracted instead of reflected. I was able to remove the scratches with 3M Prep Team liquid compound for new paint then waxed with a wax/sealer.
Next time I'll spray the snow off.
Nat

 

When I washed mine last weekend the hose rubbed on the side of the truck a little bit and totally screwed up the paint. I was standing in the bed hosing the top of the truck off. I am thinking about getting some extra clear coat shot on top of the factory stuff also.....

 

Dark Garnet red very lousy paint job. Seems very thin to me compared to my previous 01. Wife took and washed it at the local car wash place, used the "brush" now have scratches erverywhere, seems like if you jusr lean against the truck it will leave a fine scratch. The Paint quality is the ONLY thing i dont like about this truck @19K miles.

If anyone can recommend a very good, proven fine scratch remover i would appreciate it.

Thanks, Chris

 

My patriot blue '03 has to have the softest and thinnest paint of any vehicle I have ever owned. Chips very easy, scratches even easier. I had to install fender flares because the tires would throw up pebbles on the side, chipping the paint. On one of the doors, when the sun is right, I can see through the paint to the grey primer, very thin. On top of that, the sheetmetal is extremely thin. My ranger and expedition have far sturdier steel bodies than my 2500. Love the driveline and rolling chassis but the body quality is by far inferior to the other brands in the durability dept.