OK. I just bought a 1998 Dodge Dakota, V8, 5-speed manual black. It is a Dakota Sport package with the extended cab. Its a used truck that I want to spend a little time refinishing but need a little help in deciding which way to go. Its got 125K on it already but the engine runs strong and it can pull a house. So to start, I need to look at the paint. It has 4-5 spots on the hood and front fender where the clear coat is peeling. Also you can tell that the paint is starting to fade in some spots.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on fixing. Should I take it to a body shop and just have them do it? Should I try to do it myself? I have no experiance fixing paint, this truck is a work truck for me and won't be a dd. I have my GTO for the summer months but during the winter months it will be a dd as the Goat will sit.

Thoughts help? I did a search and didn't see to many topics on clear coat problems. Maybe I should search on paint problems.

Any help would be great for a first time poster. I know how much the GTO forums have helped me with my car so I thought I would try something like this first.

Thanks.
JR

 

Since its not a daily drive and also is a work truck, I wouldnt put too much into it. Is the colour chipping? If it isnt maybe just get some clear touchup paint and touch up the chips.

 

Since you dont have any experince on painting i would take it to a profesional. (look for a good 1.) its hard to blend aspeacily on older faded paint and plus you got sand it down prime it and all that good stuff will take alot of time and if your not percise you jsut messed up haha. Plus most comapnys gaurnte there paint work for a good time. But hey on the faded paint spots try a few coatings of good quailty wax and polish. see if that wont help it may be gone to far.

 

I am not sure of the area you are in, but as long as this is just a work truck and you are looking to just preserve the body, I wouldn,t go into the expense of doing a base coat clear coat application i would look for a macco paint shop or something similar to that. They can refinish the complete truck for less than you can buy the material for a base/clear application and they will guarntee the paint for at least a year. Good luck!

 

don't go to a place like macco. you'll regret it. unless you don't care anything about qaulity.

 

Just ask for references from the shop you go to. I have had great luck with the vehicles I have taken in. Its like anything else there is good and bad. just check them out first.