Community Forums

Jchet · 04-17-2012, 03:31 PM

Hello all, we're a mid 50's couple semi retired who decided to get a motor home to facilitate traveling some and doing so with our dogs.

We purchased a motorhome that despite having an interior that appears to be new the original owner must have parked it on a sprinkler system for years and as a result the 12 cargo hold doors are ruined. Despite this rather unseemly appearance the motorhome is vey nice condition with a 8.3 Cummings diesel with very low miles and diesel generator with low hours.

I suspect this motorhome would be hard to sell as most buyers would lack the patience nor have the ability to make these repairs. We're fortunate that we have a large 20,000sf warehouse that has room to accommodate the coach to work on it. Without it I think the repair would be not possible. Most communities would never allow such a project at a residence nor would I want it in front of our house.

I have removed the doors and am bringing them to a restoration shop to see what the cost will be to reproduce the doors. There made of 1" marine plywood covered in fiberglass on the front and sheet metal on he back.

Anyhow it looks like a big project so any advice would b appreciated.

SarahW · 04-17-2012, 05:59 PM

Howdy and welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you have a great project lined up, so good luck. Just post your questions and we'll try to help. What kind of moho did you buy?

MSHappyCampers · 04-17-2012, 06:16 PM

Hi folks! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the group! Good luck on the restoration project! Have fun & God bless!

Steve N Sal · 04-18-2012, 04:33 AM

Hello of welcome aboard.

Sounds like you have a project at hand. We too are currently in central FL. We will be leaving for home in about a week only to return next Dec. Good luck with your project and do post some pics as it moves along. Enjoy, be safe and Happy Motoring!!!

Cilrah · 04-18-2012, 04:46 AM

We were extremely lucky with the purchase of our new MH, the previous owner had stored this 2006 indoors and used it very little. When we looked at it, it looked new inside and out. I hate to think what it would look like if they had not stored it indoors since storing it anywhere outdoors in the wet NW would be like parking on a giant sprinkler system

Anyways, good luck with your restoration and safe travels

Bruce C · 04-18-2012, 05:15 AM

Wow, with that size storage you'll do fine. Good luck on your rebuild, post some pictures, help is always available here.

John H... · 04-18-2012, 06:01 AM

Welcome to the forum...

zip0 · 04-18-2012, 06:14 AM

Hey and welcome to the forum. Good luck with your project.

bsirby · 04-18-2012, 09:03 AM

Hello, welcome to IRV2. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Good luck and hope you can get on the road soon. Safe travels.

cargovan · 04-18-2012, 06:25 PM

Welcome and good luck,

Van.

Friendship37 · 04-20-2012, 05:18 AM

I am doing the same type of work on mine. I am looking fr space like warehouse you mentioned, can I get in there for my project?

ghoststories · 04-20-2012, 06:39 PM

Hello and welcome to iRV2.

Jchet · 04-21-2012, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freindship37

I am doing the same type of work on mine. I am looking fr space like warehouse you mentioned, can I get in there for my project?

I sent you a PM.

Jchet · 04-21-2012, 06:19 AM

The motorhome is a 95 Coachman Destiny 380. It's taking on a life of its own, I made some headway this week with the restoration.

After reading multible post on the various methods of removing old worn vinyl graphics I bought 2 3M rubber stripping wheels and I and one of our employees went to work. 2 hours later all we got off was the front of the bus and we had worn out 2 wheels and had a mess. The prospect of going down both 38' sides and the back was looking to be very labor intensive.

My employee suggested we use a chemical since I'm repainting the coach anyway. I purchased an airplane decal remover and we sprayed the graphics, let it stand 5 minutes and hit it with the pressure washer and they peeled right off. Saved us hours of labor, and the cleanup was easy.

This weekend we begin sanding and preparing for primer. My plan is to prime and paint the motorhome using a marine epoxy paint called Awlgrip. It's vey expensive paint and hard to work with but I have used it on large sailboats I have refurbished. This may be overkill for a motorhome but I would rather spend more working with product I know and have a result that looks right hen working with more practice paint I have no experience with.

10 years ago we rescued a 40' Catalina sailboat that had been dry docked for 8 years at a boatyard in Riviera Beach Fl at the Palm Beach Inlet. It was a mess, much worse then this motorhome. It took me 1.5 years to complete but when that vessel was done it was brand new inside and out and had a stunning Stars and Stripes Blue Awlgrip paint job on it that was flawless. My wife and I sailed it in the Carribean part of the year living aboard until we decided to stay home and invest in another company. Once that happened and a down economy I had to work too much so we sold the Vento and she was sailed to Canada where she is docked today.

That being said, I have to look back at that project and the overwhelming scope of it and it makes this motorhome not look so taxing. Although I'm 10 years older so maybe I won't sand as fast