Paint

[Beacher]

As anyone ever had a problem with the dark color on their coaches paint getting very small cracks in it. It looks like its checking the spot is about 1' by 1'. I've got an 2008 model. Thanks for the help.

[srydve]

It's a well documented problem, if you do a search you will gets lots of info.

[Beacher]

Thanks I'll see what I can find

[lonestarace]

It's called fiberglass gasing.
It's been happening since at least 1999
Sanding and repainting is a temporary fix. It returns when it gets hot from being exposed to direct sunlite.
The only permanent fix is replacing the fiberglass.
A real bummer

[Beacher]

Well that's not I wanted to here do you know if it's just a Newmar problem?

[Beacher]

Can you tell me where to search?

[lonestarace]

Every coach manufacturer had/has this problem.
Dow-Corning provides the fiberglass side material for most all coaches.

[lonestarace]

Here is what my search turned up
Paint Problems with 01-04?

I have a neighbor that bought his coach new in 1999. It has led a pampered life, yet his dark color has the gassing.

[rvjimmy]

Does it have full body paint or are the decals just cracked and weathered. Just took mine in to have the decals taken off and the gell coat finish to be painted with real paint.

[Beacher]

It's a full body paint by Newmar 2008 I had it cut and polished at the factory went it was new. These crack look bad because the coaches paint looks like mirror.

[Iron Man]

I would either go to the factory or take pictures and contact Newmar ASAP about the cracking. If needed, they have a program to reskin and repaint the coach. Was it documented while it was under warranty?

[Beacher]

Thanks for all the help this is just one of many on going problem with this unit every time we fix one thing something else shows up.

[ottffss]

I am sure Newmar stopped using the luan based side panels (the panels that had the checking problems) somewhere around early 2007. At that time they switched to the C-Tech panels (non luan) solving that checking problem. I also understand Newmar has switched again from C-Tech to another panel in the past year or so.

You can identify C-Tech by sighting down the side with your head literally against the panel and you should see a vertical corduroy like effect. If you have C-Tech I'd suggest something else is going on with your paint.

[imgoin4it]

My 2007 KSDP and a friend's 2008 DSDP is at the factory right now getting the sides changed for side wall checking. Supposedly the "problem" material is no longer being used and I do not know the cut off date but it was not for the 2007 and all the 2008 years.