"Cracking" factory paint

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 3, 2014 | 03:37 PM

JustAJ

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 35

Likes: 0

"Cracking" factory paint

Hey y'all! About 4 years into my trucks life, the OEM paint started crackling. Like the dry lake beds you see on TV. Bu thte clear coat was still intact so I didn't do anything. Well, fast forward to today, my truck is now 15 years old, nad the crackling has finally broken through the clear coat. My question is, do I need t ostrip it down to bare metal and start form scratch, or can I get away with sanding it till it's smooth, priming the hell out of it then painting it? Thanks in advance!

Jan 3, 2014 | 04:47 PM

vaper

More Turbo

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 544

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAJ

I would think you would have to take it all off
but I am no expert
Body and paint section is here

Paint & Bodywork - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Good luck and keep us posted!

Jan 3, 2014 | 04:51 PM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

Likes: 180

Depending on how bad it is, you can rub wax on the truck and fill in the imperfections.. IF you sand and paint and leave any cracks, they will show up in the final coat.

Jan 5, 2014 | 08:13 AM

96f150

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,713

Likes: 2

From: In my House

JustAJ.....My 01 is completely like that all over every body panel, except for the fiberglass bed......I called Ford about it and of course they didn't want to hear anything. Mine has not popped thru the clearcoat yet, but when it does, I guess I'll have to start visiting the body shop to have it fixed....She's all payed for and I love her! She runs great...I'll keep her till the tires fall off!

Jan 15, 2014 | 07:36 PM

jstockert

New User

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

I just had my 1997 scab painted and the guy who did my truck said he had to take down past the crackling paint. If not it would come back through new paint.

Jan 31, 2014 | 09:34 PM

JustAJ

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 35

Likes: 0

Thanks to everyone for the replies, and my apologies for not posting in the right forum. I'm going to try fixing the tonneau cover since it's not OEM and has the best shot at being saved. Once that's done, I'll move on to the body, one panel at a time, since I can't afford to have a shop do it. Time to learn how to paint!

@96F150, I hear ya. Mine's been paid off for a while and just rolled over 164K. I'm thinking trans rebuild is coming up though. Still cheaper than a new one.