Expert: Brandon Sievers - 9/11/2006

Question
Hi Brandon!
   I reciently bought a 1989 Dodge Dakota with only 61000 miles from the U.S.Department of interior for $660. This mule runs like a top, however the paint is flaking off like ALL dodge products of those years did. What causes this and can a paint shop correct this problem? In other words, what precautions should I look for when shopping to get this thing painted. I'd hate to pay for a new coat of paint only to have it flake off again because the surface was not dealt with. Thanks in advance.
Franklyn Jones

Answer
The reason that the paint does this is that the paint is not properly adhearing to the primer. This can be caused by too long of a wait from primer to paint or that the primer was not mixed properly causing a bad surface for paint to stick to.

FIx: REmove as much of the old paint as possible with a blow gun, then feather edge the paint with a sander. Re primer and repaint. If a body shop repaint the car, they should guarantee against the paint flaking, if they don't, go somewhere else.