Painting an older RV

The Incorrigible Dirigible · 07-22-2008, 05:38 AM

Apologies if this is a foolish question. Any advice on how/if to repaint a Class A? Our 1995 Dolphin is severely oxidized and faded, and might benefit from a sprucing-up, but I don't want to make it look worse. Is it possible to repaint an RV that's not metal-skinned? (and is the answer, "Yes, but it will cost $30,000 to do properly?")

The Incorrigible Dirigible · 07-22-2008, 05:38 AM

Apologies if this is a foolish question. Any advice on how/if to repaint a Class A? Our 1995 Dolphin is severely oxidized and faded, and might benefit from a sprucing-up, but I don't want to make it look worse. Is it possible to repaint an RV that's not metal-skinned? (and is the answer, "Yes, but it will cost $30,000 to do properly?")

**Route 66** · 07-22-2008, 05:54 AM

Definitely not a foolish question.

The vast majority of RV's today are fiberglass, and most are painted.

There are several businesses that specialize in painting RV's but the best is PRECISION PAINTING.

It won't cost $30K, but I believe it's around $14K.

BTW, the Newell on their home page along with the trailer and golf cart was about $24K to paint.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 07-22-2008, 06:20 AM

A 3-4 color paint job of a 36 foot rv will run $10-$16k, depending on the region (local pricing) and the complexity of the design. If you just repaint a basic solid color and then add a stripe or two (decals or painted) you can probably get away for less.

Rick Long · 07-22-2008, 07:40 AM

Or you can always DIY.... About 243 12oz. Spray cans @ $2.79 each, should do it for under $700

The Incorrigible Dirigible · 07-22-2008, 11:44 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rick Long:
Or you can always DIY.... About 243 12oz. Spray cans @ $2.79 each, should do it for under $700

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey that plan worked great on the '86 Oldsmobile wagon I had once...I suspect it would not be so attractive on the RV, though...

A single-color repaint with decals works fine for me.

historyljc · 07-22-2008, 07:16 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Our 1995 Dolphin is severely oxidized and faded </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Are you sure, that with some of the products on today's market, this cannot be buffed and waxed (or whatever the proper process is) to clean and brighten it up?

If that could be done, it sounds a lot less costly than a paint job.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Or you can always DIY.... About 243 12oz. Spray cans @ $2.79 each, should do it for under $700 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I actually did an old coach by this method way back in a previous wife-time. I'd say it came out looking pretty good, but I'd be lying.

**RV Wizard** · 07-23-2008, 12:31 AM

There is also a product called Vivilon that I found to be quite interesting but I do not have any personal experience with it. I have thought about checking into it as a business but have not had the time or resources lately.

NeilV · 07-23-2008, 12:49 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by The Incorrigible Dirigible:
Apologies if this is a foolish question. Any advice on how/if to repaint a Class A? Our 1995 Dolphin is severely oxidized and faded, and might benefit from a sprucing-up, but I don't want to make it look worse. Is it possible to repaint an RV that's not metal-skinned? (and is the answer, "Yes, but it will cost $30,000 to do properly?") </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I thought that about my previous coach and after cleaning it with PolyPrep and then Sealing it with PolyGlow I found that painting was not needed.

A co-worker just had her old Bounder PolyGlowed and is very pleased with the results. Her only regret is that she had not done it much sooner and had not waisted all those years with yellowing waxes and repeated buffings.

I believe she had a boat detailer take care of it for her.

Rcro10 · 07-23-2008, 03:42 AM

There is another painter shop in Breman IN just aroun the corner from Precision that does full coach painting. Mike did our 1997 Mountain Air and did a beautiful job for us. I would highly recommend him. If you call for an estimate tell him Harold sent you to him. His Phone Number is 574-546-2161.He painted our 40ft.for condiderly less then $10000.00 His shop is called Mike's Custum Painting.It looked just like a 2001 when he gor it done.