Some Paint And Buffing And . . . .

[F4Jock]

As part of refurbishing our 1997 / 98 Tropi-Cal we wanted to do some work on the outside. We were considering having the whole thing repainted but when we consulted a paint shop the owner suggested that the white upper body paint was in good enough shape that a good buffing would restore it. He stated that we might consider repainting the basement doors.

So. . . . .

We have had the basement doors and grille redone in a dark grey enamel that is almost a match to the bluish stripping. The improvement is unbelievable and the cost was far less expensive than a complete redo. Then we removed the dumbass (And quite faded) palm trees and Tropi-Cal stickers and replaced them with a large rear end wolf's head with our town lettered below it, large eagles with all of our military insignias for the sides (I'm a former Marine.) and two smaller ones on the front. This was all done after the top was recoated and the sides buffed and polished. Again, minimal expense and --- WOW! The coach looks at least 15 yrs younger! We are having some other work done and, when it is finished, I'll post pictures. In the meantime, if you want some exterior bang for your buck, consider the basement repaint. You'll be amazed!

[TJHUB]

I, for one, would really love to see some pictures. I'm considering a basement repaint next year.

[m.elliott63]

Originally Posted by TJHUB

I, for one, would really love to see some pictures. I'm considering a basement repaint next year.

I buffed & waxed our entire coach (1998 Sea Breeze) last year. The basement doors were VERY dull! Lots of work but wow!

[FLRosebud]

Looks great!!

Al

[F4Jock]

Not good pics as still in garage but this will give you some idea. Note the darker basement doors. It really pops in the light of day! Once she gets out into the yard and I clean her up I'll do better for pics.��

[m.elliott63]

Originally Posted by F4Jock

Not good pics as still in garage but this will give you some idea. Note the darker basement doors. It really pops in the light of day! Once she gets out into the yard and I clean her up I'll do better for pics.��

Very nice!

[TJHUB]

Thanks for sharing the pics, and it does look great. My '04 is horrifically dull on the front and rear caps, and basement doors. I think the surface cannot be buffed out. I'm considering painting like you did, but also painting over the existing striping as in the thread in the general MH section.

[F4Jock]

Originally Posted by TJHUB

Thanks for sharing the pics, and it does look great. My '04 is horrifically dull on the front and rear caps, and basement doors. I think the surface cannot be buffed out. I'm considering painting like you did, but also painting over the existing striping as in the thread in the general MH section.

Just be careful that the stripes aren't decals or some such. You would need to remove them before painting.

[TJHUB]

Originally Posted by F4Jock

Just be careful that the stripes aren't decals or some such. You would need to remove them before painting.

Actually not. Others are painting on top of the vinyl stripes with great success. I plan to as well.

[eltyboy]

We repainted the front bumper on our 98 Tradewinds and we also repainted the strips which were very faded. We used Behr Marque paint in the small sample size and a foam roller, it has been on for 3 years and looks great. I wash it with a rotating brush and rinse with a garden hose. I wouldn't take a high pressure washer to it as it might peel. I have its same paint on decorative coloums on the front of my house. They were green PVC sewer pipe that I painted white, they are on the south side of the house in the sun, temperature range from minus 40 to 100 above. The only chip is when my snowblower chucked a rock at one. I am a self taught automotive painter and when I was looking at painting our van and nervous about trying it, the older gentleman at the bodyshop supply said "how does it look now?" I said terrible he said do you think you can make it look any worse, so I got into painting and have been doing it ever since. Give it a try.

PS. The flat paint hides the cracks really well, we ran a razor blade scraper over to cut off areas that were peeling. I will try to post pictures when I get home.

[Glenn.Garvey]

What are they doing to paint on the decals. Mine are cracking and peeling and look terrible. If it is possible to paint over them and get 5 years or so that would be great. What is the prep required?

[F4Jock]

Originally Posted by Glenn.Garvey

What are they doing to paint on the decals. Mine are cracking and peeling and look terrible. If it is possible to paint over them and get 5 years or so that would be great. What is the prep required?

We removed the decals, then compounded and buffed before applying the new ones.

[TJHUB]

Originally Posted by Glenn.Garvey

What are they doing to paint on the decals. Mine are cracking and peeling and look terrible. If it is possible to paint over them and get 5 years or so that would be great. What is the prep required?

Here:


http://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/paint...ls-261418.html

[arcaguy]

Former Marine???? I wasn't aware there was such a thing. I'm really confused!