2022 LADP - Paint the way it should be.

[redbaron73]

I am working on a post that is very long, and very detailed. Until then, I am just too excited to show you the quality of the coach I have now.


I have had my coach for almost a year. When I received the coach, the paint was *TERRIBLE*. Newmar visited NIRVC no fewer than 3 times to look at my coach, with me present for one of their visits.


We had several occasions of work orders approved, to later be denied. It was an exercise of patience on my part, and diligent pursuit of customer satisfaction on NIRVC's part.


Once approvals where worked out, I was able to find a time between planned trips to leave it with NIRVC for the 45 days they needed to do the repairs and a 3 stage cut and buff on the entire coach, all paid for by the Newmar Warranty.


I now have the best looking paint job I have ever seen.


Here is a quick video walk thru I took as soon as I arrived home before putting it into the garage.



https://youtu.be/4YtpwkKgf8U




Thursday I start doing the Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coating of the coach.

[UMXHAULER]

Stunning RB. I can tell that making your coach just the way you like it and seeking perfection is your full time hobby.

[tankcj]

The shine is stunning!

On a side note, I wish mfrs would paint the slide awning housings to match the coach paint instead of just leaving them black. This used to be quite common but very rare today.

[outlawten5]

Was it intially orange-peeled?

[NewmarDave]

Looks great RB!!!!!!
There is nothing better than a corrected paint job.
Ready for Ceramic now!!!

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by outlawten5

Was it intially orange-peeled?

Here are a few samples of the paint. It was full of dust inclusions, overspray, and other issues.Attachment 382239

[redbaron73]

And a few pictures of the paint after correction.Attachment 382246Attachment 382243Attachment 382245Attachment 382244Attachment 382247

[Newmar2856]

Wow, the before pictures are unbelievable for a coach of that class. Glad Newmar stepped up and approved the work to give you the paint job worthy of a LondonAire.

I’ve only seen one other paint job that nice on a rig and it was custom job on a one of kind Cardinal Fifth-wheel.

[Mighty_J]

That’s stunning! What a transformation. No wonder you’re so pleased. Think of the money Newmar would have saved on the work if they just did it right initially. I’m hoping they learned from some of your feedback and improve their process.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Newmar2856

Wow, the before pictures are unbelievable for a coach of that class. Glad Newmar stepped up and approved the work to give you the paint job worthy of a LondonAire.

I’ve only seen one other paint job that nice on a rig and it was custom job on a one of kind Cardinal Fifth-wheel.

There was a time, back in 2013 to 2015, when Newmar turned out this quality on their luxury line. Back then, they spent the time to do it right.

As production has increased, quality has decreased.

In 2019, when I complained about my dutchstar, I was told by a smug Newmar executive that if I wanted better quality, I should have bought a London Aire.

The entire 2021-2022 production has terrible paint from the factory. There is no written standard for quality and no quality control.

I wrote about this in my call to action, and Newmar read it but did nothing in response. I wrote the call before my coach went into production, assuming that it might help get a single coach delivered in better condition.

That proved to be a pipe dream.

I put a considerable amount of time and effort into trying to educate the consumer and manufacturer, with the goal of a higher quality product that benefits all.

I was very fortunate to have discovered NIRVC, and can attest first hand that they really do care about the brand of Newmar and the satisfaction of their mutal customer. NIRVC went above and beyond to ensure that Newmar was well represented and met the quality standards their customers deserve.

Anyone taking delivery of a luxury line coach should expect the quality shown here on the delivery day.

It took 10 months for me to get to this point, but in the process I have paved the way for others to get the same quality.

Initially, I expect you will have to ask for it to be corrected and endure the time to get it done, but once enough of these very costly warranty claims are processed, simple economics dictate that real change will happen during production.

I am guessing that my warranty claims exceed $100k.

Doesn't take too many of these warranty claims to make the need for change obvious to even the most stubborn executive.

[BayRunner]

Your LADP looks great and glad it was taken care of. When I took delivery of my VTDP in October, I hired a local pro shop to do the ceramic coating. Upon close inspection the paint finish had some similar characteristics as you pre photos (but not as bad). Ended up being residue left over from the after paint buffing. They showed some quarter size patches of the residue which helped them determine what it was. They spent some time correcting all the residue and then applied ceramic coat. It now has a mirror like finish. So, I’m my case, it was not the paint job but a poor post paint buffing process.

[NCC-1701A]

"Doesn't take too many of these warranty claims to make the need for change obvious to even the most stubborn executive."

First...stunning results. Congrats on your determination and efforts. It really paid off.

I spent most of my career working directly for executives. One lesson I learned was that the CEO of any company truly sets the tone. "Underling" execs follow suit and rarely do they push back on how the CEO is running things since that is a career killer.

So, I hope this need-for-quality message has reached and been truly received by the new President of Newmar and that he pushes a renewed quality agenda down through the ranks with force.

You've noted some interesting Newmar executive interactions from time to time. If I were a CEO/President and an exec under me said some of those things to a reasonable owner, much less an enthusiastic long term client, they would be receiving their walking papers.

[arein]

It is worth saying though, that Newmar was without a proper president from late 2021 until recently this year. Not giving any excuses for your situation but that might explain why certain things are moving slower than we'd like.

[Dav L]

Crazy nice....Never going to show you my coach. Wish I had the time...