Stupid Question

[bilbo]

Since moving to Florida I've watched the sun wreak havoc on the paint of my 1983 Ranger and the topper on my newer Dodge. Some areas of the Ranger have what looks like clearcoat peeling in places. Others are just dull looking. The topper has peeling clearcoat, but is still shiny when cleaned. I also have a 1994 F250 that has just gotten dull everywhere. I don't see any areas that look like they're peeling or any evidence there's clearcoat at all.

On the Ranger, is it possible the original paint didn't have clearcoat from the factory except for some areas that had work done later on? And on the F250, is there any clearcoat at all? I don't know much of anything about automotive paint or its history; I just assumed everything had clear over it. Is it possible the 1983 and 1994 don't?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Since moving to Florida I've watched the sun wreak havoc on the paint of my 1983 Ranger and the topper on my newer Dodge. Some areas of the Ranger have what looks like clearcoat peeling in places. Others are just dull looking. The topper has peeling clearcoat, but is still shiny when cleaned. I also have a 1994 F250 that has just gotten dull everywhere. I don't see any areas that look like they're peeling or any evidence there's clearcoat at all.

On the Ranger, is it possible the original paint didn't have clearcoat from the factory except for some areas that had work done later on? And on the F250, is there any clearcoat at all? I don't know much of anything about automotive paint or its history; I just assumed everything had clear over it. Is it possible the 1983 and 1994 don't?

I think everythings had a clear coat since probably the 60's or early 70's

 

[pjtoledo]

get some rubbing/polishing compound. the color left on the rag will reveal if it's clear or not.

 

[don4331]

I think everythings had a clear coat since probably the 60's or early 70's

The 1st Ford to be painted with clear coat was the '77 Lincoln Versailles.

Clearcoat paint didn't become mainstream until the mid 80s, which some solid colours not being clear coated until the mid 90s

Also note, the removal of lead in the paint, means there are issues with using lead filler (instead of bondo). <Lead filler will bleed through the primer/paint/clearcoat, ruining your paint job> Important if you're refinishing say a '68 Mustang.

 

[bilbo]

Results are in:

1994 F250 has no clearcoat. I tested a few spots and the white paint rubbed off. It is also chalky everywhere, oxidation I assume.
1983 Ranger I believe had no clearcoat from the factory. The driver door and pillars are shinier than the rest of the truck so it probably had bodywork done at some point. The towel turned paint color everywhere else. I will say the coppery metallic paint looks awesome with the grunge removed and a little polish.