Paint prep tips - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: Paint prep tips
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I have a 90 3.9 with the white paint that flakes off in huge pieces and have got rust on the roof. I spoke to a seemingly knowledgeable man at a local paint specialty store and he said to sand it down and take it to Macco for the $199 special.
I thought it sounded like an ok idea since my truck is no show car and its got over 230K.
What should I do to prepare the paint before I go in? Type of sandpaper? Primer? Rust stopper?
Thanks for the help.

Notchlx
Dodge Dakota
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5/02/2003
07:44:02

RE: Paint prep tips
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I had the Notch LX painted 4 years ago at Maaco. I got the $400 special.(strip, prime, paint)

I kept it waxed, and after 4 years, it still looks new.

Just let them handle it.

Or, You could sand starting with 320 grit, and work your way up to 600grit then prime...Then sand with 600grit.

I would only use the 320 grit on the rough areas.

afi360
R/T

5/02/2003
12:23:48

RE: Paint prep tips
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i had an 89 taurus painted at maaco for $800..that included some bodywork too, though, so dont laugh at me too hard. anyway, it will come out MUCH BETTER if you mask everything yourself, sand everything with 260-320-400-600 grit, then prime, then sand again with 600-1000 grit paper. if you prep everything yourself, itll come out much better.

waterpolo
GenIII

5/02/2003
12:38:35

RE: Paint prep tips
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In my opinion Macco sucks. I just helped a friend re-paint his truck because Macco didn't do anything right. He had to take it back 3 times to two different shops. The paint color was off, it was peeling off on the corners, it was dull. Plus they painted over everything (moldings, some glass, the door handles). To paint a truck right you need to take everything off. We took the bumpers off, took the rear sliding glass out, took all the moldings off, including the ones around the windshield. Took the door handles off, mirrors, tailgate latch, took the lights off (all of them), and we un bolted the bed from the truck so we could paint the cab. This will allow you to properly sand the truck and it will let you get the paint where you need it. Like under the door handles and everywhere else so that it doesn't start to peel. Plus you will get a better paint job with out having any ugly lines from trying to paint around things.

But if your not looking for anything like that then go ahead and take it to Macco. It just depends what you want.

HomerDak
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2003
18:58:57

RE: Paint prep tips
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Ok, thanks guys.
If I had a nice new truck that was worth a whole lotta time and money I might get a buddy and do it all myself. But on a college student's income I think I'll save up some pay checks and go to macco, yes I really am so poor as to save up to go to macco.
I have heard lots of horror stories though, but none about my local shop so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2003
22:26:51

RE: Paint prep tips
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Place a free call to your local Better Business Bureau about the shop in question.

HomerDak
Dodge Dakota
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5/04/2003
23:11:06

RE: Paint prep tips
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Thats a good idea.

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