Cracked Paint

Hello All,

I noticed recently that the paint around my fuel cap door has begun to crack. It has yet to peel, and doesn't quite feel 'loose' yet, but I'd like to catch this before it gets worse. I was thinking of putting some clear nail polish over the cracks to seal them up and prevent them from getting any worse. Do any of you have any other suggestions for something like this? Maybe I'll even put some white touchup paint in the cracks prior to putting the clear nail polish over or something. Is there a better alternative to nail polish?

I've included some pictures to show you all below.

Please let me know!

 

I'd recommend registering for an account over on the autogeek.com forum and ask your question/post your photos over there. Lots of professional body shop and detailing guys over there that would be happy to help you out and recommend a fix.

 

The first thing I'd want to do with that is be sure you you've cleaned out the crack very well before attempting the fix (or before applying a more permanent product). That might require some kind of chemical/paint cleaner.

You'd want to get as much gunk out of there as possible before permanently sealing it. If the gunk in the crack expands or shrinks with temp, and the overlying product isn't flexible, you'd just have the same problem happen again.

I'm not a professional nor educated in this type of stuff. But I'm wondering if you'd want a product that has some flexibility to it, much like an original clear coat. I would think that you might be able to buy a 1/2 ounce or something like that from a body shop. Hope you get some advice from an expert.

 

Good point! I should get some cleaning product or something first - I wonder if it might react with whatever corrosion is occurring beneath the paint, however? I'm waiting for authorization to post over on autogeek's forums, so we'll see what they have to say as well.

 

Only time i've seen paint do that was when it had bondo under it.

 

I've seen several cars without bondo have a similar crack(s).

 

FYI: You can't just upload full size pics on Autogeek (well, I couldn't). They need to be resized to something smaller than whatever size my phone defaults to. I was able to just take a screen shot of the original photo on my phone and then that smaller photo uploaded just fine. Thought I'd give you a heads up in the case your photos "failed to upload" as my initial photos did (I kept getting those warnings, but it didn't say why). It might be a day before you get approved over there, but it won't take them too long.

Just google "screen shot" for whatever type of phone you have, if you don't know how to do that.

 

That's what I was originally concerned about, although I took a really close look at it and I was not convinced it was a bondo job. The surrounding paint appears to be untouched, and I couldn't make out any clear indications of a repair job. I'm not a pro though, but it didn't look like it had been patched to me. Also, what sort of things would require bondo this close to the fuel door?

Here are some more photos. Hope this helps:

 

man these trucks are being cheaply built.

 

I'd put money on that bedside having been repaired/repainted. That sucks man

 

Quality dropped after 1st gens

 

If guess repair also.

 

I don't think it's a "Quality" issue here, it's a poorly done repair job.

 

I just found your post over on AG if it were me and I was keeping the truck for a few more years- I'd go get a body shop estimate on that one.

 

My honest recomendation is to replace the whole side panel. You will never be able to fix this. Unless you have some friends or are handy and knowledgable with body work you will not be able to fix it to where it looks perfect.
I have a crack in my F250 door. I've had two different body shops repair it and I have tried to paint it myself. IT ALWAYS RUSTS BACK THROUGH. No matter how mych sanding or cleaning. It always lioks like crap too. I'm saving for a new door.

It just is not fixable 100%. Everyone who's worked on that has told me that but it's taken me a while to accept it.

 

If you look closely at the edge of the panel around the filler and door you can clearly see that the edge is not factory true. My opinion is its been improperly repaired. Im also of the opinion that to properly fix it, will require a look behind that cracked piece hence body work