Expert: William Forster - 12/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have an 01 Dodge Ram 1500 with dark blue/clearcoat paint. I have noticed that the clear coat is beginning to fade in several areas; almost a chalky look.  Other areas look like it has rain-like streaks.  Is there any hope of saving the finish and where do I start with restoration of the clear coat?

Thanks, Jeff

ANSWER: Hey Jeff! You hit the nail on the head- the clear is suffering from a condition officially recognized as chalking. The clear is oxidizing, meaning it's going through a chemical change. That change is irreversible. You can buff the crud out of the truck, and within 6 months, it's going to show chalking again. You can prolong it's agony with a buff job and bi-weekly waxing, but you are only postponing the inevitable- it needs a paint job. Bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the followup but I have another question.  Does the clear coat need painting or does it have to be sanded to the base coat, metal, etc. Please explain.  Maybe I should have this done now.

Answer
The affected panels need sanded back to the ELPO, that's  the very first coat of factory primer. I've tried getting away with just priming over chalking after a complete sanding, but the old finish acts like a sponge, and the new paint will immediately dull down and need a heavy buffing. It's just a better job to get rid of the old factory clear and base coat.