Dodge Ram 1500 Paint Correction, Ceramic Coating and Rim Refinish
This Dodge Ram 1500 came in straight from the States, brand new but already needing attention.
The owner works in construction and wanted the car properly protected from day one.
Not just a quick detail, but a full reset and done properly so it holds up long term in harsh conditions.
What We Did:
First issue was the rims. They had been previously repaired and the finish was poor.
We stripped them back and repainted all four to factory spec using the original paint code.
The colour had a pearl in it which makes it harder to match, but once done properly they came back looking exactly how they should from factory.
We then moved onto the brakes.
The customer wanted a proper visual upgrade, so we refinished all calipers in a Brembo red using 2K brake paint.
This isn’t a quick spray job. It’s prepped and cured properly so it holds up under heat and actually lasts.
The main problem with the car was the coating that came from the dealer. It wasn’t performing. No water behaviour, no slickness, no protection. We had to remove it completely before doing anything else.
We used a paint depth gauge across the vehicle to control the process and make sure we weren’t cutting into the clear coat. The removal required a heavier initial cut to break down the failed coating.
Once that was cleared, we refined it with a second stage polish to bring the gloss back properly. Being a new car, the correction itself was light, but the coating removal is what took the work.
After prep, we applied Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra. This is our top level ceramic coating. It goes on thick and behaves more like adding an extra layer of clear rather than a standard coating.
It holds gloss, stays slick, and actually performs long term without constant maintenance. It also gives proper resistance against UV which matters here where paint fade is a real issue.
For the front end, we installed clear paint protection film. On a Ram like this, the front takes a beating from road debris. The PPF protects against stone chips and impact damage.
Over the PPF, we applied a dedicated PPF ceramic coating to improve hydrophobic behaviour and make it easier to clean.
Most shops don’t remove failed coatings properly. They either polish over it or apply another layer on top.
That traps the problem underneath and the coating never performs the way it should.
Same with rims and brake paint. If prep is rushed, the finish won’t last.
Why It Matters:
This job wasn’t about making the car look good for a week. It was about resetting everything properly so the finish holds long term. The coating now actually protects. The paint has depth.
The front end won’t get destroyed by daily driving. The wheels and brakes look factory, not modified.
Key Takeaways:
• Dealer coatings often fail and need full removal before reapplying anything
• Paint depth control is critical when removing coatings safely
• Proper ceramic coatings add real protection, not just gloss
• PPF is essential on large front-end vehicles to prevent stone damage
• Rim refinishing requires correct colour matching, especially with pearl finishes
• 2K brake paint is the only way to get a durable finish on calipers
This Ram was done once and done properly. Full correction, proper coating, real protection.
Built to handle daily use without falling apart after a few months.
