Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Why is my paint job already screwed up?

adventureboss

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Aug 1, 2023
Messages
139
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
So I understand these vehicles are basically bricks and as such rock chips will be more common than other vehicles in the front. However, hopefully someone can confirm, but the amount I'm experience seems to be abnormal. I bought my TJ a little over a year ago, but I have put 65k miles on it since. Apparently, it had been repainted just before I bought it. I don't know by who, but this is making me doubt it's a quality paint job. Here's a link to an image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AlFzIOZBFYOPhX1Y_sIF0BremziC9eFv/view?usp=sharing

Seriously is this normal? On the front grille, there is almost zero good paint still left. I know I've driven 65k miles on this new paint job, most of them being interstate miles, but all the rock chips are starting to bug me. The rest of the paint on the Jeep looks great. So is this typical of Jeeps or is this just a cheap paint job by the dealership/ previous owner?

How would I go around fixing something like this? Anyone know what they would likely charge me at a shop if I pulled the grille off and took it to them to be repainted? Or is this something that would be relatively easy to DIY? Any ideas?
 
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Yea just bad paint, also depends on where you live. If the clear and color coat are gone the "fix" is to sand it all and respray.
 
Yea just bad paint, also depends on where you live. If the clear and color coat are gone the "fix" is to sand it all and respray.

I'm in the Phoenix area so I know that definitely does not help, but I don't see other TJs around me having the same issues and I'm sure most of them still have their factory paint. I'm hoping I'm not the only one who has been in this situation and someone who has can give me input on what they did. I love my TJ, but I really would rather not spend the money for a sanding and respray if I can do it myself.
 
Not a lot of paint jobs will hold up to 65k of rock throwing highway driving in a year. I would say it would need to be repainted and then you can add a clear PPF on the grille, hood and fenders to help from future rock chips. I wouldn’t recommend repainting it yourself unless you have experience.
 
Looking at the pic, it looks like whoever painted the Jeep didn't prep the old surface well - you can see the old paint underneath and it looks just as shiny as the new layer. Without good prep, the new paint can flake off easily then. Imo - anyone who gets a vehicle painted before selling is not going to pay for a quality job - just to make the vehicle look better.

Best thing would be to ensure the next shop sands it down smooth and then sprays it. After you do all that, you can put a ceramic/film over it to protect it if you want to. To save on labor, you can sand down the part yourself first.
 
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That paint likely does not have enough hardener in it or in the clear. Formulas vary but nearly all automotive paints require hardener at one stage at least.

Normally the same mindset that makes one mistake makes others. ie; bad prep, etc.
 
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So I understand these vehicles are basically bricks and as such rock chips will be more common than other vehicles in the front. However, hopefully someone can confirm, but the amount I'm experience seems to be abnormal. I bought my TJ a little over a year ago, but I have put 65k miles on it since. Apparently, it had been repainted just before I bought it. I don't know by who, but this is making me doubt it's a quality paint job. Here's a link to an image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AlFzIOZBFYOPhX1Y_sIF0BremziC9eFv/view?usp=sharing

Seriously is this normal? On the front grille, there is almost zero good paint still left. I know I've driven 65k miles on this new paint job, most of them being interstate miles, but all the rock chips are starting to bug me. The rest of the paint on the Jeep looks great. So is this typical of Jeeps or is this just a cheap paint job by the dealership/ previous owner?

How would I go around fixing something like this? Anyone know what they would likely charge me at a shop if I pulled the grille off and took it to them to be repainted? Or is this something that would be relatively easy to DIY? Any ideas?

Use green car wax
 
yours looks BETTER than Mine, Mine was towed behind a Class"A" camper from Maine to Alaska, and back again
they went through 2 windshields before cutting a piece of plywood.
my front end looks like its been spray an prayed with Buckshot
from the windshield frame down
so far ive chosen to just ignore it, but i know someday ill need to do something
 
bra.jpg
 
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So I understand these vehicles are basically bricks and as such rock chips will be more common than other vehicles in the front. However, hopefully someone can confirm, but the amount I'm experience seems to be abnormal. I bought my TJ a little over a year ago, but I have put 65k miles on it since. Apparently, it had been repainted just before I bought it. I don't know by who, but this is making me doubt it's a quality paint job. Here's a link to an image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AlFzIOZBFYOPhX1Y_sIF0BremziC9eFv/view?usp=sharing

Seriously is this normal? On the front grille, there is almost zero good paint still left. I know I've driven 65k miles on this new paint job, most of them being interstate miles, but all the rock chips are starting to bug me. The rest of the paint on the Jeep looks great. So is this typical of Jeeps or is this just a cheap paint job by the dealership/ previous owner?

How would I go around fixing something like this? Anyone know what they would likely charge me at a shop if I pulled the grille off and took it to them to be repainted? Or is this something that would be relatively easy to DIY? Any ideas?

65K in one year ? :unsure:
 
Depends on where the Jeep was driven. We do muddy hills with tons of small rocks, tree branches and a bunch of crap. I stopped caring about having a "pretty" Jeep when I decided to actually have fun with my Jeep and not have a "Street Queen". Not be confused with Biden's Tranny policies. 🇺🇸
 
Depends on where the Jeep was driven. We do muddy hills with tons of small rocks, tree branches and a bunch of crap. I stopped caring about having a "pretty" Jeep when I decided to actually have fun with my Jeep and not have a "Street Queen". Not be confused with Biden's Tranny policies. 🇺🇸

Lmao, yeah I do a fair bit of off roading. I'm also stock with the 28" tires so I'm very low to the ground, and I don't think that really helps with rocks flying up on the trail and smacking my grille. I just cringe when I see it because I know I screwed up a perfect looking paint job in a yearish.
 
Lmao, yeah I do a fair bit of off roading. I'm also stock with the 28" tires so I'm very low to the ground, and I don't think that really helps with rocks flying up on the trail and smacking my grille. I just cringe when I see it because I know I screwed up a perfect looking but UNKNOWINGLY CHEAP paint job in a yearish.

I hope the three words I added will help.
 
Location, freeway speeds, tailgating, sand and fine aggregate, crappie paint prep and a flat front end all combine to give a vehicle a bad day(s).
 
I can't be bothered to worry about my TJ paint in AZ, but I also didn't buy the jeep with a "perfect" paint job.

Unless it starts to rust, which it probably won't, I'd just move on.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts