'97 Neon's Paint Peeling Off !! --> Is this common?!

[DOCTORBILL]

This last summer, I bought a Blue used '97 Plymouth Neon, 2 door, 5 speed (98,000 miles) for my son.

It had some paint peeling off, but was otherwise in very good condition.

I now notice all the other Neons on the road and many of them have paint peeling off...!

Is this a common Neon problem?

Was there ever a recall for the peeling paint...?

This is bullshit!

DoctorBill

[maykelcj]

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

This last summer, I bought a Blue used '97 Plymouth Neon, 2 door, 5 speed (98,000 miles) for my son.

It had some paint peeling off, but was otherwise in very good condition.

I now notice all the other Neons on the road and many of them have paint peeling off...!

Is this a common Neon problem?

Was there ever a recall for the peeling paint...?

This is bullshit!

DoctorBill

yes it is!!! mainly on the roof and hood. no recalls, I think.

[das2123]

Yes it was a common problem with the early 95-97 neons, some and no there was never a recall about it. Had something to do with the type of paint that was used. As maykelcj pointed out, it was usually the hood and roof. You can try to get a replacement hood from the junkyard, but not much you can do about the roof, except repaint it.

[FemaleRacer]

If you do get a replacement hood-get a paint sealent/protectant put on. I did this to my 98 and the paint hasn't faded or peeled. This can be done by an autobody shop for a minimal fee.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by FemaleRacer

If you do get a replacement hood-get a paint sealent/protectant put on. I did this to my 98 and the paint hasn't faded or peeled. This can be done by an autobody shop for a minimal fee.

It has nothing to do with the sealant, it was the crappy new environmentally friendly paints that were being introduced.

[FemaleRacer]

Originally Posted by das2123

It has nothing to do with the sealant, it was the crappy new environmentally friendly paints that were being introduced.

That's a really good point. Paint sure isn't what it use to be! And my car isn't the origional paint.

[ponchonutty]

Actually, it wasn't the paint that was the problem but the primer. The primer that was used on certain colors like blue and white cars dried too smooth and didn't allow enough area for the paint to "stick" to. So, after time they paint releases off of the primer. Almost ALL car makers have had to deal with this problem at some time or another.

[das2123]

^^^I heard that also, but the paint didn't peel off with every color...only certain ones. For example, black didn't peel off in the same year as white and lapis blue.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by das2123

^^^I heard that also, but the paint didn't peel off with every color...only certain ones. For example, black didn't peel off in the same year as white and lapis blue.

Das, there are different primers used for different colors. Just like you wouldn't want to use a black primer if you are painting it white. What the problem was is different than that of bodyshops use. In a bodyshop when they primer the car, they will then scuff it again prior to paint. On assembly lines they don't do that. They need the primer to basically dry in a "scuffed" state for the paint to adhere. For some reason, the primers used on certain colors didn't do that. Mostly it was the light gray primer at fault.

[das2123]

^^^You have a point there.

[ponchonutty]

Thanks, trust me on this one. When they decide to repaint those cars with this problem they have to completely sand down the old primer and reprime/paint.

[cody_e]

I'
ve never had a problem with the paint peeling on my '97 Neon. THe only peeling came from the spot I was hit when I got rear-ended.

[SRT-Wannabe]

i have a paint peel on the front bumper, near the fog light. i always have to be careful washing that area, cuz it gets worse sometimes.

[mwrobe1]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

Actually, it wasn't the paint that was the problem but the primer. The primer that was used on certain colors like blue and white cars dried too smooth and didn't allow enough area for the paint to "stick" to. So, after time they paint releases off of the primer. Almost ALL car makers have had to deal with this problem at some time or another.

I had a light blue '91 Chevy Corsica and a friend of mine had a white '91 Buick Regal with this problem...the Chevy gave me over 200k though. Interesting that it happened with Neons too. It did happen the worst with white and blue...the black cars kept their paint a couple more years.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by SRT-Wannabe

i have a paint peel on the front bumper, near the fog light. i always have to be careful washing that area, cuz it gets worse sometimes.

That's because your bumper has been repainted. I have yet to see delam on ANY bumper from ANY manufacturer