Damp weather and white GM truck paint

The white paint on Chevrolet and GMC trucks and vans has a deserved bad reputation for peeling off. You also see this happening with some pre-Promaster vans from Dodge/Ram. 

It has been happening with the Rolling Steel Tent and I’ve touched things up now and then with spray paint. I’ve found Rustoleum has the best match. White paints are not all the same shade of white. My repairs are certainly not professional quality but things look okay from a distance, especially when covered with dust and dirt.

One of the things that causes the peeling is moisture working its way into tiny dings in the paint. And since I’ve spent the past few months in a wetter climate the paint problems have increased, sometimes in freaky ways.

I asked the all-knowing artificial intelligence bot about the paint problem and this is what it told me:

The issue with white paint on GM trucks is a well-documented and long-standing problem. Here are the key reasons why white paint specifically seems to be problematic on GM vehicles:

Lack of pigment: White paint contains no pigment, which makes it inherently weaker and more prone to peeling compared to other colors. This lack of pigment may contribute to reduced durability and UV protection.

UV exposure: The absence of pigment in white paint may provide less protection against UV rays. This can lead to the failure of the e-coat (electrocoat primer) due to prolonged UV exposure, ultimately causing the paint to peel.

Historical issues: GM has had a history of paint defects, particularly with white paint, dating back to the 1990s on their trucks. This suggests a persistent problem with their white paint formulation or application process.

Environmental factors: Heat and humidity, such as those found in Florida, can exacerbate the paint peeling problem on white GM vehicles. These conditions may accelerate the breakdown of the paint's adhesion to the underlying layers.

Quality control: Some owners report paint issues appearing very early in the vehicle's life, even within a few months of purchase. This indicates potential quality control problems in the manufacturing or painting process.

Clear coat issues: In some cases, the problem may be related to the clear coat rather than the white paint itself. Improper application or curing of the clear coat can lead to separation or peeling.

It's worth noting that while white paint seems to be particularly problematic, GM trucks in other colors may also experience paint issues. The prevalence of this problem has led some owners to take preventive measures, such as having their new trucks repainted or applying protective coatings. GM has faced criticism for this ongoing issue, especially considering the high price point of their vehicles.

Scabby paint tends to make us nomads look undesirable to the rest of the world. I think that’s a larger issue when I streetdock. I’d rather be perceived as the harmless wandering retiree that I am instead of a homeless addict invading their neighborhood. Anyway, I’ll wait until I get back to the dry desert to do my low-budget paint repairs again.