Community Forums

Dutch Star Don · 02-21-2019, 09:14 AM

"wmiii"......Fleetwood was a big user of the black vinyl bras and I thought they looked nice, actually pretty cool, but I would never own one again. We bought a used 2004 Fleetwood Terra that we kept for a year, but sold because of brake and black tank issues. It came with a bra that really made it look stylish. The problem.....it needed to come off when raining, needed to come off in dusty conditions and no matter what, it caused rashes on the front of the coach. I was very careful with it, waxed the front end frequently and used a protectant on the vinyl every trip. After the we sold the coach, I decided I would never own another coach with a bra.....just too much work and no matter what, they do damage.

I find that those that use them, are typically covering up other damage that they don't want to repair. Our friends specifically did that on their Monaco Camelot. Once the clear 3M bra went bad, they put on the black vinyl bra. It REALLY looks nasty under the bra now.

I think you have two choices, take it back to the paint shop, describe the issue and see if they'll repair the bra mounting holes and repaint the front end again at a discounted price....or continue to use the bra forever. If you have it repainted, you don't necessarily need to protect it with anything other than routine waxing. I have the clear bra and it gets a coating of Pledge, 303 or wax before EVERY trip. It only takes a few minutes.

RWDJR. · 02-21-2019, 09:19 AM

I would say the paint was pierced with a hole from a stone or other object. If the paint then can’t remove the moisture, because of the bra, the fiberglass under the paint festers and starts to come out. It’s more than just a paint problem. To fix it right, the fiberglass must be ground out and then let dry, or force dried. Filled, then painted. On a boat, gel coat is very porous. So if it’s left in the water any amount of time, an epoxy barrier must be present or blisters will occur. Paint on your coach is no different, unless somehow it’s on the inside of the hood.

oscarvan · 02-21-2019, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

If I had a newly painted front end I would not put anything except a good coat of wax.

Bingo. Mine came with the clear covering with a lifetime warrantee. Yeah right. I've read people spending days getting it off with a heat gun, very carefully one inch at a time.

And, there are rocks that hit me and went right through it.

But hey, if you have the scars to prove it you were making miles and using the darn thing. Maybe in the future I'll paint it. Leave the brand name off while I'm at it.

wmiii · 02-22-2019, 06:09 AM

An update,
The paint shop repainted my front at a discount and I am using the Bra for travel then removing if we'll be sitting for more than a couple of days.
I have applied a good coat of wax on the front to help protect it as well.
We'll try to take care of it and just see how it goes.

Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas

Wm

Dutch Star Don · 02-22-2019, 09:12 AM

"wmiii".....If you start to see some rubbing in some spots, caused by the bra, carry a roll of blue painters tape. Put tape on those rub spots, under the bra, and take it off when you arrive.