Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 1668

B R — BODY DIAGNOSTIC AND PAINT PROCEDURES 23 - 43
PRESSURIZED LEAK
TEST
METHOD
When a water leak Into the passenger compartment
can not be detected by water testing, pressurize the pas­
senger compartment and soap test exterior of the vehi­
cle. To pressurize the passenger compartment, close all
doors and windows, start engine, and set heater control
to high blower in HEAT position. If engine can not be
started, connect a charger to the battery to assure ade­
quate voltage to the blower. With interior pressurized,
apply dish detergent solution to suspected leak area on
the exterior of the vehicle. Apply detergent solution
with spray device or soft bristle brush. If soap bubbles
occur at a body seam, joint, seal or gasket the leak en­
try point could be at that location.
WIND NOISE
Wind noise is the result of most air leaks. Air leaks can
be caused by poor sealing, improper body component
alignment, body seam porosity, or missing plugs in the
engine compartment or door hinge pillar areas. All body
sealing points should be air tight in normal driving con­
ditions. Moving sealing surfaces will not always seal air
tight under all conditions. At times, side glass or door
seals will allow wind noise to be noticed in the passenger
compartment during high cross-winds. Over compensat­
ing on door or glass adjustments to stop wind noise that
occurs under severe conditions, can cause premature seal
wear and excessive closing or latching effort. After a re­
pair procedure has been performed, test vehicle to verify
noise has stopped before returning vehicle to use.
Wind noise can also be caused by improperly fitted
exterior moldings or body ornamentation. Loose
moldings can flutter, creating a buzzing or chattering
noise. An open cavity or protruding edge can create
whistling or howling noise. Inspect the exterior of the
vehicle to verify that these conditions do not exist.
VISUAL INSPECTION BEFORE
TESTS
Verify that floor and body plugs are in place and body
components are aligned and sealed. If component align­
ment or sealing is necessary, refer to the appropriate
section of this group for proper procedures.
ROAD TESTING WIND NOISE
(1) Drive the vehicle to verify the general location
of the wind noise.
(2) Apply 50 mm (2 in.) masking tape in 150 mm
(6 in.) lengths along weatherstrips, weld seams or
moldings. After each length is applied drive vehicle.
If noise goes away after a piece of tape is applied, re­
move tape, locate and repair defect.
POSSIBLE CAUSE Of WIND iOISE
® Moldings standing away from body surface can
catch wind and whistle.
• Gaps in sealed areas behind overhanging body
flanges can cause wind rushing sounds.
• Misaligned movable components.
o Missing or improperly installed plugs in pillars.
@ Weld burn through holes.
PAINT
A paint code is provided on the body code plate at­
tached to the floor pan under the passenger seat. Re­
fer to the Introduction section at the front of this
manual for body code plate description.
BASE COAT/CLEAR COAT FINISH
On most vehicles a two part paint application (base
coat/clear coat) is used. Color paint that is applied to
primer is called base coat. The clear coat protects the
base coat from ultra violet light and provides a dura­
ble high gloss finish.
WET SANDING,BUFFING AND POLISHING
Minor acid etching, orange peel or smudging in clear
coat can be reduced with light wet sanding, hand buff­
ing and polishing. If the finish has been wet sanded in
the past, it can not be repeated. Wet sanding operation
should be performed by a trained automotive painter.
CAUTION: Do not remove clear coat finish, if equipped.
Base coat paint must retain clear coat to shine.
PAINTED SURFACE TOUCH-UP
When a painted metal surface has been scratched
or chipped, it should be touched-up as soon as possi­
ble to avoid corrosion. For best results, use MOPAR
Scratch Filler/Primer, Touch-Up Paints and Clear Top
Coat. Refer to Introduction group of this manual for
Body Code Plate information.
TOUGH-UP PROCEDURE
(1) Scrape loose paint and corrosion from inside
scratch or chip.
(2) Clean affected area with MOPAR Tar/Road Oil
Remover and allow to dry.
(3) Fill the inside of the scratch or chip with a coat
of filler/primer. Do not overlap primer onto good sur­
face finish. The applicator brush should be wet
enough to puddle fill the defect without running. Do
not stroke brush applicator on body surface. Allow
the filler/ primer to dry hard.
(4) Cover the filler/primer with color touch-up paint.
Do not overlap touch-up color onto the original color coat
around the scratch or chip. Butt the new color to the
original color if possible. Do not stroke applicator brush
on body surface. Allow touch-up paint to dry hard.
(5) On vehicles without clear coat, the touch-up
color can be lightly (600 grit) wet sanded and pol­
ished with rubbing compound.
(6) On vehicles with clear coat, Apply clear top
coat to touch-up paint with the same technique as
described in step 4. Allow clear top coat to dry hard.
If desired, step 5 can be performed on clear top coat.