Community Forums

TTD · 05-31-2018, 07:05 AM

I have 3 A/C units on my coach. The original unit at the back is a nice gray color that matches my coach... the 2 replacement units have white covers.

I am hopeful there will come a time soon when I have no actual issues to address

- and I wouldn't mind making all the covers gray.

My first thought is I could probably scuff it lightly with a sand paper and hit it with a spray can of paint.

Anyone ever do this? Any reason not to besides the darker color will attract the sun more?

oldmattb · 05-31-2018, 07:21 AM

I painted our AC covers black a couple of years ago, with rattle-can spray paint made for plastic. I got the paint from Lowe's. I wiped them down with acetone before applying the paint.

About temperature... Last year I got my infrared digital thermometer and measured surface temperature of our cars. White and black were near the same temperature. Pearlescent white (more like a very light grey) was a little cooler. A primary shade of blue was the hottest, much hotter than the black. Hardly a scientific study, but the results were interesting.

Matt B

TTD · 05-31-2018, 08:31 AM

Really? I would not have expected that (about the temps of different colors)?

Thanks for the painting info... I never thought about doing some acetone first.

Mr_D · 05-31-2018, 08:37 AM

There is also a spray on primer that claims you can then use any paint on plastic. Have a can of it to try on the stick house garage door window trim.

**CountryFit** · 05-31-2018, 08:54 AM

in 2012 i thoroughly prepped my roof, two layers of dicor and one layer of sherwin-williams. i painted the a/c shrouds just like the roof. 6 years later my roof and the shrouds are still sound, no white stripes running down the side walls as normally you would see.

Bob_C · 05-31-2018, 08:56 AM

Krylon Fusion is made for plastics...

TTD · 06-01-2018, 09:36 AM

thanks all... I'm definitely going to try it when I get a chance. Dealing with a PTO issue now (see other thread)

Jerry226 · 01-27-2019, 11:58 AM

I bought the fiberglass dicor paint for my roof and my covers are fiberglass so it worked well and looks good.

ga traveler · 01-27-2019, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry226

I bought the fiberglass dicor paint for my roof and my covers are fiberglass so it worked well and looks good.

Are you sure your covers are fiberglas? I have never seen a fiberglas AC cover. All the dozens I have changed were made of plastic.

Smitty77 · 01-27-2019, 01:57 PM

We put the same BusKote we applied the roof, to the AC Covers.

Another tip to longer lasting AC Covers, is to reinforce the attachment parts where the screws or bolts attaching the covers to the AC unit are.

On our Bounder's covers, we also used about 3/4" Washers with rubbers to spread the load out some.

On our current cover, I placed a 2" square of Eterna Bond tape on the inside of the cover, where the screws go thru.

These two methods, or both, depending upon specific cover - spreads the load out, and avoids the spider cracks.

Also on our Bounder, and earlier on our Allure, I'd treat treat exterior of the covers with Aerospace 303, to help avoid UV rays, which slows down the breaking down of the plastic... (Or at least, I think it does

!).

Best to all,
Smitty