Paint care?

[Cansberry]

Hey all,

The JT is the first new vehicle I've ever owned, and my previous beaters typically already had paint hanging on by a thread. Now, with the current paint job, I've already accepted that it's just going to get abused, but given how much I've paid for the dang thing, the truck will be around with me till I die or it is irreparable. That means eventually new paint.

So for those that keep their paint scratch free and generally nice looking, what's the secret? My JT goes in dirt, I tend to live in extreme climates (edge of the Mojave rn, Montana, Alaska, Arizona, and New Mexico in the past) and I have small kids and work stuff in and out of it. Is it even possible, with those factors?

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[LouisvEarlleJT]

Get some mudflaps if you haven’t already. Literally the first thing I put on.

Watch where you park, soak it down really well before you scrub it during a wash.

Then just breathe, dents happen, scratches happen.

Get some good touch up paint (mopar paint pen if you can find one) and just fix stuff as you find it

Kids make messes, don’t fret over a mess because messes make memories. There’s not a surface in these things that can’t be washed (or at worst case replaced!)

hope that helps!

 

[Dryfly24]

Hey all,

The JT is the first new vehicle I've ever owned, and my previous beaters typically already had paint hanging on by a thread. Now, with the current paint job, I've already accepted that it's just going to get abused, but given how much I've paid for the dang thing, the truck will be around with me till I die or it is irreparable. That means eventually new paint.

So for those that keep their paint scratch free and generally nice looking, what's the secret? My JT goes in dirt, I tend to live in extreme climates (edge of the Mojave rn, Montana, Alaska, Arizona, and New Mexico in the past) and I have small kids and work stuff in and out of it. Is it even possible, with those factors?

Not for me it’s not. I wheel it everyday. Desert pin striping is inevitable here. . . ? If you mostly stick to pavement you should be alright. But if you actually wheel the thing, you’ll develop an ulcer if you worry about it. Best to accept it. It’s going to happen. . .

 

[Tom C]

When clean, use a high quality wax. Also, light scratches, use polishing compound and a clay bar.

 

[loganjeeps]

My JT is also the first brand new vehicle I purchased and I have terrible new car anxiety.

You may want to look into PPF (paint protection film).

There are DIY options like this https://clearmask.com/amfinder?find=a-2022-jeep-gladiator-rubicon----432218&sid=tb9tmXkx9n
There are also installers, usually companies that do window tinting, that can cover the whole vehicle.

I am having my front end covered next week which is all I can afford at the moment but if it looks good I am evantually going to do the whole thing.

I assembled a list of other OCD things I have been slowly adding on this thread
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/protecting-the-precious.67515/

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

Dirt and grime is my paint protection film. ?

Seriously though…pretty sure I haven’t washed it more than twice since I got it last May.

 

[Silverator]

PPF is running between $6-7,000 in AZ where I live. Not gonna happen. I'm doing what I can. Weathertech mud flaps and a new PPF on the rear fender flares where it takes the most abuse. The stock stuff is not good. Beyond that, maybe a ceramic coat. I'm trying to get over the freaking expensive new car beautiful syndrome like you.

Good luck!!

 

[Lunentucker]

I clean it up and detail it once a year with Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions. Every exterior surface gets three coats.
Then it's just routine washes as needed.
A good rain will get it pretty darned clean with that stuff on it. Water runs from it.

 

[Cansberry]

Not for me it’s not. I wheel it everyday. Desert pin striping is inevitable here. . . ? If you mostly stick to pavement you should be alright. But if you actually wheel the thing, you’ll develop an ulcer if you worry about it. Best to accept it. It’s going to happen. . .

Yep, that's what my truck is slowly but surly looking like. Guess I can't fight forever, but I'll definitely try!

 

[Cansberry]

Dirt and grime is my paint protection film. ?

Seriously though…pretty sure I haven’t washed it more than twice since I got it last May.

Had a conversation in this vain with the wife as she watched me wash the truck today. There are definitely two types of people. ?

 

[Cansberry]

My JT is also the first brand new vehicle I purchased and I have terrible new car anxiety.

You may want to look into PPF (paint protection film).

There are DIY options like this https://clearmask.com/amfinder?find=a-2022-jeep-gladiator-rubicon----432218&sid=tb9tmXkx9n
There are also installers, usually companies that do window tinting, that can cover the whole vehicle.

I am having my front end covered next week which is all I can afford at the moment but if it looks good I am evantually going to do the whole thing.

I assembled a list of other OCD things I have been slowly adding on this thread
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/protecting-the-precious.67515/

I'm definitely going to take a look at your thread!

 

[Commodus]

Hey all,

The JT is the first new vehicle I've ever owned, and my previous beaters typically already had paint hanging on by a thread. Now, with the current paint job, I've already accepted that it's just going to get abused, but given how much I've paid for the dang thing, the truck will be around with me till I die or it is irreparable. That means eventually new paint.

So for those that keep their paint scratch free and generally nice looking, what's the secret? My JT goes in dirt, I tend to live in extreme climates (edge of the Mojave rn, Montana, Alaska, Arizona, and New Mexico in the past) and I have small kids and work stuff in and out of it. Is it even possible, with those factors?

I know what you are saying and at my age this will probably be the last new vehicle I buy. I believe you should do what you can afford to protect your vehicle like ceramic coat, film, mud guards etc. and fix scratches as they come with polish or touch up but no need to stress you have no idea what is the future for your vehicle. Just enjoy it everyday because who knows it may be in an accident tomorrow and be totaled or develop a mechanical issue that cost more than what the truck is worth and financially unreasonable to repair. I have been in all these situations so I have learned to do what I can to preserve the value the best I can and just enjoy owning and driving

 

[Gvsukids]

For those of us in the states that have salt and brine on the road, I worry more about the underneath than the paint.
You could always attach magnetic signs to your doors to keep the scratches to a minimal. Scratches are like a fingerprint and a map of where you been.

 

[JTenn]

Not for me it’s not. I wheel it everyday. Desert pin striping is inevitable here. . . ? If you mostly stick to pavement you should be alright. But if you actually wheel the thing, you’ll develop an ulcer if you worry about it. Best to accept it. It’s going to happen. . .

Same here for me. This is the worst one so far. I think it will buff out. ?

 

[Dryfly24]

Yep, that's what my truck is slowly but surly looking like. Guess I can't fight forever, but I'll definitely try!

I did too - at first. Then I realized I can either baby it and constantly fret and wash and clean till I was spending more time doing that than actually wheeling it; or I could just use it as it was intended to be used.

The latter won out. . .

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