Paint is peeling

[The Danes Are Coming]

This is our 2007 Diplomat where the paint work is peeling along the curve between roof and sidewalls.





Our RV has 3 different shades of brown and for some reason only the darker brown peels like this.

I am planning on cleaning all the loose flakes off and clean the area completely getting rid of any dirt and grease. Next I will mask off areas that I don't want sprayed/coated. Finally - I will spray multiple thin layers of Rust-oleum Crystal Clear Enamel on the effected areas.

Is this the way to do it? Did anyone have the same problem and fixed it successfully and if so, how did you go about it?

Thanks (again).

[deandec]

The material appears to be the ClearCoat layer that is peeling. Exposure to sun and poor surface prep before coating can cause the effect.

On my 16 yr old rig, the portion that is gelcoat covered by clearcoat has peeled in certain sections. Where the clearcoat covers paint, the adhesion is still good.

I have removed the loose clearcoat with a razor blade, cleaned the gelcoat with soapy water and then Acetone, buffed the gelcoat, more Acetone, and then used a rattle can of clearcoat to reapply about 4 layers of clearcoat.

Your method may also work.

It is difficult to get a perfect result unless you completely remove the old clearcoat from an entire area. I have elected to stop the peeling process, restore some shine, and live with the irregularities in the base surface showing through.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec It is difficult to get a perfect result unless you completely remove the old clearcoat from an entire area. I have elected to stop the peeling process, restore some shine, and live with the irregularities in the base surface showing through.

Thank you your reply.

This it what I will do - live with the irregularity. Good tip on especially the razor blade. I have already spend 2 whole fingernails cleaning just a small area

[Drifter]

We also have the same problem of peeling clear coat happening to the dark brown curved section of the roof. We stay the summer at Riverside Campground in Algonac MI., where the owners also have a body shop, so in the spring we will have it taken care of. We will repaint and clear coat. Poor preparation and inexpensive product is the cause.

[nutensteve]

Funny you started this thread. I bought a detail wash & wax product from Armorall and climbed up on the roof to do the curved section of the roof. Lo and behold I have the same problem. I noticed that the coach next to me has the same problem on a 2007 Newmar. I figure I'll watch it to see if it gets worse....you cannot see it unless you are on the roof.

[CoolJourney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Danes Are Coming This is our 2007 Diplomat where the paint work is peeling along the curve between roof and sidewalls.

We have the same problem on our 2007 Dip. Don't know yet how I will handle it.

Bill

[hardy1000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Danes Are Coming This is our 2007 Diplomat where the paint work is peeling along the curve between roof and sidewalls. Our RV has 3 different shades of brown and for some reason only the darker brown peels like this. I am planning on cleaning all the loose flakes off and clean the area completely getting rid of any dirt and grease. Next I will mask off areas that I don't want sprayed/coated. Finally - I will spray multiple thin layers of Rust-oleum Crystal Clear Enamel on the effected areas. Is this the way to do it? Did anyone have the same problem and fixed it successfully and if so, how did you go about it? Thanks (again).

One of our friends just had his 2007 Diplomat redone because of the same problem. It is the clear coat.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Yesterday I picked out a small effected area.

In general it looks like I will be able to repair it my self. I wasn't thorough enough getting all the flakes removed 100% but I will make sure that this happens on the rest.

Providing the clearcoat that I used is tough enough to cope with the weather exposure I can accept the final result. Obviously a professional repair would be preferable but this repair didn't cost a lot.

[Up N Flames]

Same issue on my 08 Cayman

[Dirtbuster]

You can remove the clear with razor blades, but you have to be careful not to gouge the base coat. I would got to an automotive shop, & get some better quality clear coat. Sand the old clear with 600, & feather the edges in. Clear drys pretty fast, so you can lay the paint on pretty fast. Most body shops used denatured alcohol for cleaning the area after sanding. I would be hesitant to use acetone on the base coat. Most Oreilly's carry automotive paint products.

Good Luck!

[Diplomat Don]

This happens to a lot of coaches. It's occurring on my front and rear caps. It's like a cancer...not a lot you can do about it unless you sand it and repaint it. There is a two part clear spray paint that you can buy at automotive paint stores that is suppose to work well. Most of the Rustoleum type clear coats won't do the trick. The clear coat will continue to eat away. I bought the two part paint, but haven't used it yet. It mixes right in the can and is only good for about an hour. Another forum said they had good luck with it. I can check on the name later if someone needs it. I just went to my local automotive paint store and asked for a two part clear and they new what I was talking about.

I've decided to have both my front and rear cap repainted because my analism won't allow me to drive it with the paint not right, even though you can't see it from ground level. I'm thinking when the sides go like in the Great Dane's coach, I'm just goining to have that area painted all one color from front to back since there is a natural divider there caused by the drip rail.

[Jobert]

What Don said, go to an auto parts store like NAPA or a carquest store that sells auto paint supplies and get a good high quality clear in a rattle can, it should last much longer than the clear your trying with. It will be designed for auto touchup and would also be sandable and buffable to get a surface finish to match the sidewall material.

Happy Trails Bert

[deandec]

Spray Max 2K Rapid Cut-In Spot Clearcoat - 3680062


The above product has worked for me. However, once you activate the can, you have only a 24 hr pot life.

[Tha_Rooster]

Dupli-color makes a Acrylic Enamel clear high gloss Premium Automotive Formulation paint in a can for about $6.00 12-14 square feet sold at most auto parts store.