Ducato van paint issue

[gman88667733]

We have a 2006 Ducato that we have converted into a camper. The paintwork is white and 85% of the paint is dull and almost like it is chalky. If you rub a finger on the paint, some of the colour comes off on your finger and any sort of dirt seems to stain the paintwork permanently when doing that. I've never seen anything like it really, it is like it has no outer clear coat on the paint to protect it.

An example is that when we fitted our second side window, some of the dark sealant got onto the paintwork and instead of just wiping off, it rubbed into the pain and left a large grey=ish area of chalky feeling paint, the colour will not come out at all.

Does anyone have any idea how we could sort this? I'm not sure if it just need a cut and polish, or if that is just going to strip the paint.

I know the ideal solution is a respray, but that will cost too much.

I will add, there are no signs of any clear coat peeling, just the whole panels are this chalky, rough texture with no shine.

Thanks

Edited by gman88667733 on Monday 15th March 11:16

[paintman]

I expect the paint will be a topcoat - as in not a clearcoat over base.
Common with solid colours esp white vans (my Sprinter for example) & I would not expect your Fiat to be any different.

The surface of the paint oxidises over time - you may recall the old solid reds, greens & blues - & appears dull & chalky.
I also see a lot of this on caravans as I do a lot of caravan paintwork for a local dealer.
Can also be the result of years of neglect & TFR may help - again a local used van dealer I did work for would use TFR as a first resort before anything else.

Usually a going over with a compounding mop & cutting compound will bring the surface back up. (ETA I use Farecla G3 for most compounding)
Followed by a good quality polish.

https://www.glasurit.com/uae/chalking

Edited by paintman on Monday 15th March 11:24

[mbwoy84]

Yes, very normal with white commercials.

There is no clearcoat on it. They're painted in a 2K Solid (or direct gloss as some people refer to it) and typically Commercials get painted in a lower quality version of this with even more limited UV Protecion.

A flat and polish should cure it temporarily, just obviously check the paint depth first. Then when you get a shine back, seal it in as best as possible with a good quality UV sealant and/or a durable wax like Collinite 476s.

[gweaver]

If the paint can be corrected, it'd probably be worth ceramic coating it.