Would sure like tips on how to "repaint" or fix up exterior of 5th wheel!

[doodlebug52]

We bought a 1997 Jayco Eagle 28' fifth wheel a few months ago. Living in it full time for several months while looking over the area.

We've spruced up the interior fairly nicely--new carpet, new mattress, and an overall deep and thorough cleaning and disinfecting. It looks nice.

But the exterior needs to be my next project. It's probably been outside in the sun it's entire life. So the red striping around it is very faded. What would I get to repaint that?

And had to do my best to remove what was across the front door as far as the red striping because it was so peeled, but it left "bits and pieces" all over the door where it used to be because of the pebbly feel of the door. I added a flowery wreath to distract it. How would I deal with that?

Also, wherever there is caulking around the edges of the entire exterior, it's brown. I bought 100% silicone in the squeeze container. And I assume I would go around and remove it, then apply the silicone. Am I on-track there?

Janie

[Ray,IN]

The striping is likely decals, seldom are 5er's painted that way. Use the same techniques as auto body shops to remove striping and decals. You can buy a "pin striping removal wheel", used in an electric drill to make the job easy, just follow instructions. The surface under the striping will not be the same shade as the rest of the 5er, so I'd decide upon a replacement striping before beginning.
Caulking_, I would not use silicone, it does not bond well long-term, and residue is difficult to remove for repair/replacement. Dicor markets a quality caulk that will adhere well, and withstand the elements for years. One is a standard caulk, the other, self-leveling for horizontal surfaces.

[W4RLR]

Ray is spot on about the Dicor caulk.

Use a heat gun and remove the red striping. On my 95 Jayco, some of the aluminum is painted, but the faded swoopy stripes are vinyl striping. The old Jayco logos were cracked and faded, too. I removed them with a heat gun, too.

A few searches around the internet and I found the high quality graphic art for the NEW Jayco logo, and using my Photoshop and Illustrator software, made one of a kind graphics for my rig which I will be installing in the next few weeks. A local sign shop took my data files and cut the custom graphics for far less than getting the original stuff from the dealer, if the stuff were still available (it's not)

I found that lacquer thinner and a white shop rag is just the thing for removing the residual adhesive. Cleaning all of the chalking on the sidewalls that comes from the rubber roof will make your sidewalls look new again.

Finally, check the bottom six inches of the sides of the trailer. My trailer had advanced rot all along the bottom where Jayco used oriented strand board. I pulled the bottom section of siding off, replaced the rotted with new OSB and plywood, and reinstalled.

One of these days when everything is done, I'll post pictures.