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Old 02-25-2021, 12:06 PM   #1
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Top cap paint

My '07 coach top cap is looking a little "embarrassing". I guess the diamond shield is peeling off. Keeping in mind this is an '07 coach and it doesn't have to look new, what's an inexpensive way to fix this.
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Old 02-25-2021, 01:48 PM   #2
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That's clear coat paint, not Diamond Shield (a clear vinyl stick-on covering). The only solution is to sand it dow to remove the peeling paint and then re-coat it.

The best job involves repainting the color "base" coat underneath as well as applying new clear top coat, but most owners just sand off the clear and re-do the clear coat. If you are real careful and not too fussy, you can do it with several "rattle cans" (aerosol spray cans) of clear coat available at auto parts stores. Better, though, to have it professionally sprayed.
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Old 02-25-2021, 02:24 PM   #3
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Thanks Gary, so it's possible to sand just the clear coat off without damaging the paint beneath?


I guess a better question might be, what grit sand paper should I begin with?
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Old 02-25-2021, 03:32 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timjet View Post
Thanks Gary, so it's possible to sand just the clear coat off without damaging the paint beneath?


I guess a better question might be, what grit sand paper should I begin with?
You'll want to Wet sand it in stages. Maybe Start with 800 grit and then finnish with a finer grit like 1200 or 1500. Wipe the surface with de-natured alchohol. You want around 3 coats of clear in light applications. After it dries Polish it with a cutting compound and then Finnish wax . I think You'll get a decent look from the ground looking up at it with the rattle cans. Take your time...prep is everything.
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Old 02-25-2021, 03:48 PM   #5
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If you're near Tampa there is a truck repair facility that supposedly just redo the clear coat. Of course that probably depends on how the paint is beneath the clear that's still on your roof surround. RV Clearcoat Paint & Body 3602 Boot Bay Road Plant City 33563. (813) 503-2881. Give them a call and see what they may be able to do for you. They do have a website just Google the company name I gave here. Good luck and hope you get it remedied.
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Old 02-25-2021, 04:24 PM   #6
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For a cost comparison..... keep in mind, I'm in SoCal... everything is expensive here..!!

I have failing clear coat along both sides of my motorhome (it spent several years outdoors in AZ) between the tops of the awnings, and the fiberglass roof...

I guess you would call that the "shoulders" of the motorhome. It is/has peeled in several spots along both sides.

I inquired about refreshing the clear coat at a reputable RV shop here locally, in SoCal...

I asked about re-clearing the spots along both shoulders of a 40' Class A.. Both end caps were actually OK..

He said without seeing it, if the base paint is still good, and only the clear coat is peeling, it would be about $2,800 to fix.

He said they remove all the clear coat, shoot one layer of color (I have a single color in that spot, multi-color would be more), then apply the new clear coat...

He said they won't just do the spots with the peeled clear coat and blend new clear coat into the rest of the clear, because once it starts peeling, it will ALL eventually peel... He said he couldn't stand behind a spot repair...

I haven't taken it in for a hard estimate yet, because money is tight right now, but I offer that up as a cost comparison too have it professionally repaired...

I have even considered re-doing the clear myself with spray cans... there is a two part aerosol clear coat that gets good reviews that I was considering..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043B7UQY...v_ov_lig_dp_it
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Old 02-25-2021, 04:31 PM   #7
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If you're going to repair your top cap yourself, and the paint is not compromised, and its just the clear coat, you can prep(tape off, sand, clean with lacquer thinner or prepsol,) then re-clear. Sanding to remove remaining clear coat should be done with nothing less than 1200 grit as there isn't a lot of paint on most motorhomes. especially on the top cap, wet sanding is for more finish work after the job is complete.
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Old 02-25-2021, 04:43 PM   #8
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The only real way to repair it is to have a shop sand and repaint it with color and clear.

I went through all the gymnastics of lightly sanding and adding a rattle can clear coat. It didn't last long. A year or so later, I sanded and painted the front cap with a one stage paint. It looked okay for another two years. Eventually other areas along the roof line started to peel.

Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place. I took it to an RV body shop and had them repaint both sides above the drip rail and the top edge of the front and rear caps. A lot of the issues are caused by dark colors. When I did the repaint, I had them use the lightest color in my color scheme and spray the entire roof line in that color, creating some natural breaks at the front (top of windshield) and the rear cap where it rounded off below the running lights.

In the photo below, the roof line was originally all black. I changed it to white, using the white in the paint scheme. Most wouldn't know that it didn't come that way.

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Old 02-25-2021, 08:07 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don View Post
The only real way to repair it is to have a shop sand and repaint it with color and clear.

I went through all the gymnastics of lightly sanding and adding a rattle can clear coat. It didn't last long. A year or so later, I sanded and painted the front cap with a one stage paint. It looked okay for another two years. Eventually other areas along the roof line started to peel.

Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place. I took it to an RV body shop and had them repaint both sides above the drip rail and the top edge of the front and rear caps. A lot of the issues are caused by dark colors. When I did the repaint, I had them use the lightest color in my color scheme and spray the entire roof line in that color, creating some natural breaks at the front (top of windshield) and the rear cap where it rounded off below the running lights.

In the photo below, the roof line was originally all black. I changed it to white, using the white in the paint scheme. Most wouldn't know that it didn't come that way.

Attachment 319309
Don,

Your 2019 DS had clear peel already? Guess I should be happy that my 2005 is not too bad, but does need attention.

Being locale-specific, I'm not sure my following comments will be a help to the OP. But here's some food for thought and should have applicability elsewhere: over the years, I have used mobile paint and body guys to handle some small jobs on various vehicles. I've been pleased with the quality, despite typically accomplished in my driveway. The price has always been fractional compared to a shop. These services often advertise on Craigslist, Angie's List, etc. Nowadays, they often call themselves "bumper repair," since everything but some trucks and SUVs have painted flexible plastic bumpers that are almost always the first thing to require touch-up. They also tackle metal and fiberglass panels, including dents, creases and deep scratches.

I always start with a small job, like the worst scratch on a bumper, in order to vet a service for work ethic and quality. The laziest guy I ever encountered was not overly dedicated to his prep work. But the result was far better than the starting point, and worth every penny of the silly-cheap price. Just a few months ago, I found the best guy ever - not the least expensive, but dedicated to his craft. I invited him back again and again; 4 vehicles with everything from a dented tailgate and a creased bumper to some fender flares and an entire hood. He avoid spot painting, insisting that I allow him to spray entire panels in order to attain the best result. I think he was paying about $60 per pint for base color and clear once he had the color code. He put the time in to sand thoroughly between coats - 100% fastidious. Averaged across all my jobs, I'd say he netted no more than $25 per hour. For that I got care and expertise.

I paid extra on the 1st job and the last job - just to make sure he'd be eager to work for me again. He estimated redoing the entire multi-color roof to sidewall transition on my 40 foot Dutch Star at $800, unless the paint runs more than expected. It's a readily available Sherwin William Automotive paint for which I have the color codes. This job is a "go" as soon as the weather is conducive. I plan to give him a big tip assuming it lives up to expectations.
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Old 02-25-2021, 11:51 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by zippinbye View Post
Don,

Your 2019 DS had clear peel already? Guess I should be happy that my 2005 is not too bad, but does need attention.

Being locale-specific, I'm not sure my following comments will be a help to the OP. But here's some food for thought and should have applicability elsewhere: over the years, I have used mobile paint and body guys to handle some small jobs on various vehicles. I've been pleased with the quality, despite typically accomplished in my driveway. The price has always been fractional compared to a shop. These services often advertise on Craigslist, Angie's List, etc. Nowadays, they often call themselves "bumper repair," since everything but some trucks and SUVs have painted flexible plastic bumpers that are almost always the first thing to require touch-up. They also tackle metal and fiberglass panels, including dents, creases and deep scratches.

I always start with a small job, like the worst scratch on a bumper, in order to vet a service for work ethic and quality. The laziest guy I ever encountered was not overly dedicated to his prep work. But the result was far better than the starting point, and worth every penny of the silly-cheap price. Just a few months ago, I found the best guy ever - not the least expensive, but dedicated to his craft. I invited him back again and again; 4 vehicles with everything from a dented tailgate and a creased bumper to some fender flares and an entire hood. He avoid spot painting, insisting that I allow him to spray entire panels in order to attain the best result. I think he was paying about $60 per pint for base color and clear once he had the color code. He put the time in to sand thoroughly between coats - 100% fastidious. Averaged across all my jobs, I'd say he netted no more than $25 per hour. For that I got care and expertise.

I paid extra on the 1st job and the last job - just to make sure he'd be eager to work for me again. He estimated redoing the entire multi-color roof to sidewall transition on my 40 foot Dutch Star at $800, unless the paint runs more than expected. It's a readily available Sherwin William Automotive paint for which I have the color codes. This job is a "go" as soon as the weather is conducive. I plan to give him a big tip assuming it lives up to expectations.
No, that was my 2014 DS. It had a crack in the fiberglass near the rear corner. Newmar paid for part of the paint repair, so I had the whole roof line done.

When I ordered my 2019 DS, I chose the colors and used nothing dark up high on the coach. I don't know why these manufacturers insist on using such dark colors, especially along the roof. I always liked that Fleetwood stayed away from really dark colors on many of theirs coaches, using a lot of cream and tan.

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Old 02-26-2021, 06:37 AM   #11
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OP here, thanks for your suggestions. I'm going to call RV clearcoat and paint near Tampa and see what they say.

The point about not having black near the roof is a good one. In walking around different CG's and looking at other American Coaches circa mid 2000's the top cap's of those coaches not painted in black seems to be holding up well.

I'll investigate repainting in a different color.
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Old 02-26-2021, 07:18 AM   #12
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Repaint the prime, color and the clear. Redoing just the clear is almost the same amount of labor. Spraying color takes about an hour more. And about $150 in material more.
But then you will have a good job, not a hack.
any body shop that will do just the clear is a hack. Move on to the next.
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Old 02-26-2021, 08:43 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by timjet View Post
My '07 coach top cap is looking a little "embarrassing".

Had the exact same thing happen to My Travel Supreme - I asked the Identical Question last year before we headed out for a long Summer in the Rockies.

I guess the diamond shield is peeling off.

Clear Coat - no Easy fix - BUT - I did what I felt was the "Affordable" FIX - Took a week - 3-4 hours a day - 15-20 hours - working slowly - With affordable items - K-2 Clear coat - Expensive but worth it - you will need a Breathing Mask for this Paint! - Then I searched for a Similar match, not exact, it's on the roof no one can compare the match up there - Brown rattle can spray paint from Wally - Brown just search for one that is a close Match - the 2X Rustoleum's were great and covered well - last get yourself a couple cans of Sand able Primer - I used this to smooth things out - Search either Amazon or Ebay for wet dry sand paper - basically 600 is as smooth as you will need. Last thing needed is a Good set of Scaffolding to gain access - I have this, and wheels so for me it was no big deal.

OK, that was the what you need, likely less than $200.00.

Now get the Scaffolding set up and with a hose sand till all is smooth and solid plus a little more - you do not want to get lazy here.

Critical to tape off the windshield and rest of the Coach. Overspray is A pain -

Sandable Primer to cover things - I used a redish primer - sanded it smooth and then put some two - three coats of Rattle Can Brown on, sanding with 600 each time and letting it dry - Wiping it all down with Alcohol to be sure it was clean.

Now the big deal with the K-2 - climbed on the Roof and sprayed from the seam toward the front, as far as possible then on the scaffolding worked it from the windshield to the top.

The K-2 does not go as far as the Rattle cans so you need the 6 cans - JMHO

Pull the tape - let dry a week or so then Buff and Wax - not perfect - but with the $2,000 + it would have cost to get it done - I felt it was Great!

Last Note - be sure to get a Can Sprayer Trigger set up - Just easier!

K-2 Clear Coat - 6 cans you say why? - YUP, if you don't want to do all this again - https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-USC-SPRAY....c101195.m1851


Keeping in mind this is an '07 coach and it doesn't have to look new, what's an inexpensive way to fix this.
The Key to this is the K-2 Clear coat - also guys who suggest alternatives Need to Put $$$$ amounts on the final solution not just that earlier tries did not Work. Compare Dollars to Dollars - then we can decide what or where the Value is.

I'll add in my Case I do not charge for my time - BUT - I do not have to pay someone else ........ Just saying.

Tried to answer to Original Question - not tell You how to Spend your Money - Your Coach Your Options.

Hope this is of Some Help,

Best of Luck,

edit note - in my old life I owned a Heavy Equipment company with say 30 trucks - we painted often so this is something I was comfortable with - never used Rattle Cans in the Business - but in my experience just cleaning the gun always took me a lot of time as I am a ....... - but the last few years Rattle cans have come a long way and the K-2 clear coat is Real - IT WORKS!
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Old 02-27-2021, 05:10 AM   #14
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That is a great repair. Putting this on my short list of things to do.
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