New Paint on 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 12V

[Aulbaugh]

Well finally after years and years of my paint job going to the crapper I was able get it redone. I figured while parts were off and the truck was in the booth I would replace all the weathered and faded parts over the last 20 years. It is a new truck on the outside. I stayed true with all original parts from Mopar. If you see it I replaced it(even what you can't from the one picture,only picture I had when doing this post). I left no stone unturned. I took all the lower exterior molding off the truck which to me makes it look better. If anyone knows anything about the 1994-2002 Dodge Ram paint jobs, you know those years of paint jobs were a complete BUST!

[barnett468]

If anyone knows anything about the 1994-2002 Dodge Ram paint jobs, you know those years of paint jobs were a complete BUST!

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 3500, extended cab, long wheel base, V10 dually that has never spent one day inside a garage or under a car port etc and the paint looks nearly new and I have had it for around 10 years and have never waxed it and neither did the previous owner.



PREVIOUS KAWASAKI INTERNATIONAL R & D PROJECT ENGINEER AND ATV DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR

[ctk]

Barnett, why a v10?

[barnett468]

Barnett, why a v10?

It just happened to be the engine that was in it. I decided one day that I wanted a truck so I bought a Truck Trader magazine in the morning and saw this truck. It only had around 48000 miles and it was around $7500.00 and had brand new Goodyear tires and a camper shell and side boards and grill guard and it was fully loaded with leather interior and heated seats and tow package with a class III hitch etc so I called and made an appointment and went over there and offer him a bit less and he said ok.



PREVIOUS KAWASAKI INTERNATIONAL R & D PROJECT ENGINEER AND ATV DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR

[knappyfeet]

Well finally after years and years of my paint job going to the crapper I was able get it redone. I figured while parts were off and the truck was in the booth I would replace all the weathered and faded parts over the last 20 years. It is a new truck on the outside. I stayed true with all original parts from Mopar. If you see it I replaced it(even what you can't from the one picture,only picture I had when doing this post). I left no stone unturned. I took all the lower exterior molding off the truck which to me makes it look better. If anyone knows anything about the 1994-2002 Dodge Ram paint jobs, you know those years of paint jobs were a complete BUST!

Beautiful.

I've been thinking about doing like you did with my old truck......all the logos, lenses, trim, etc.......doing it correctly.

Early 90s rigs have impressive value to them.

[El Camexican]

If anyone knows anything about the 1994-2002 Dodge Ram paint jobs, you know those years of paint jobs were a complete BUST!

I've seen them peal like oranges and others like Barn's stay complete. Based on the 1987 Chevy paint issues (2 tone blue was the worst) I suspect it could have something to do with the paint code quality, or even batch variances. Only the makers and their suppliers know for sure and they'll never admit it.

There have been other finish fiascos as well. In 1970 Ford either started out with rusty metal, or left the coils outside and some of the cars they used it on rusted through in less than 2 years. Then in the mid 70's GM started using pre-galvanized sheet to make cars and didn't use the proper primer. I recall pulling paint off the doors of the neighbors Monte Carlo in sheets as a kid

Anyway, truck looks great on the outside! How's the dash? (another Dodge fiasco). Coverlay in San Angelo TX can fix that up for you.

[Aulbaugh]

Beautiful.

I've been thinking about doing like you did with my old truck......all the logos, lenses, trim, etc.......doing it correctly.

Early 90s rigs have impressive value to them.

Thank you sir! That is correct on their value, they have the 12 valve 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine in them also dubbed the "Million Mile Motor"

[83ATC185]

Dodge and white paint go together like and strawberry shortcake...every one is see around here is primer gray where the paint just fell off....I'm surprised all the badging and markers were still available (i assume they came from dodge?) Nice truck!

[Hurley250R]

I recall a guy from school who had a brand new one in around 99 or so. I saw him recently and he's still driving it! said he has had the interior redone and the sheet metal but it still runs well. I'm not sure on the mileage but I think it was between 350-400K.

[Aulbaugh]

I've seen them peal like oranges and others like Barn's stay complete. Based on the 1987 Chevy paint issues (2 tone blue was the worst) I suspect it could have something to do with the paint code quality, or even batch variances. Only the makers and their suppliers know for sure and they'll never admit it.

There have been other finish fiascos as well. In 1970 Ford either started out with rusty metal, or left the coils outside and some of the cars they used it on rusted through in less than 2 years. Then in the mid 70's GM started using pre-galvanized sheet to make cars and didn't use the proper primer. I recall pulling paint off the doors of the neighbors Monte Carlo in sheets as a kid

Anyway, truck looks great on the outside! How's the dash? (another Dodge fiasco). Coverlay in San Angelo TX can fix that up for you.

Your exactly right on seeing some that haven't had paint issues like Barns, those seem around here are harder to come by. The interior is nice and clean, has every option that was available in 97 with grey leather. I'll snap a picture in a minute and post it up. Those dashes are just sad aren't they? 9 out of 10 these truck dashes will be flawed in some way! The original dash is good with one hair line crack about half an inch long. That crack came up this year however no cracks or flaws up till this year. I recently put a dashpad on it to help protect it. I've replaced one dash in a 95 Dodge 3500 and it is not fun. I've thought of getting the dash wrapped but we'll see. What do they do at Coverlay?

[Aulbaugh]

Dodge and white paint go together like and strawberry shortcake...every one is see around here is primer gray where the paint just fell off....I'm surprised all the badging and markers were still available (i assume they came from dodge?) Nice truck!

Thank you sir! Yes every thing from front to back came from Dodge.

[Aulbaugh]

here is a few pictures of the interior.

[Aulbaugh]

here is a small sample of what my paint was doing before. samething was going on but much, much worse on my cab and the hood. After it rained it looked like it had snowed on the ground around my truck.

[El Camexican]

What do they do at Coverlay?

Check them out. I went to the factory for the nickel tour and to discuss marketing about 12 years back after a couple of my gringo friends of mine invested in them.

They produce lots of interior plastic parts and it's all made in the USA. For the price it's the best way to cover a cracked dash I know of.

http://coverlaymfg.com/

[Aulbaugh]

I had an `87 F150 sheared off in my hands one day in `89 ........Ford says oh you missed the paint recall.........i`m all no i didn`t ...parked the facker up front of the dealersh!t with a big sign that said this is what you get here ! .....couple days later they had the keys ........1 week later brand new paint job ......they had to take it back to the metal.

Some great info btw on the paint. I've read about some of those changes they have made in paints over the years past. Having yours taken down to bare metal back when log some hours at that dealership!! Did that second paint job hold up better?