Community Forums

Doug427 · 01-01-2020, 09:14 AM

I'm looking at one of the coaches I have narrowed my choices down to, and while it's a really, really nice coach, it has one thing that really irks me. The previous owner got tired of dealing with 3M film on the front of the coach to prevent rock chips and had bedliner material applied to the entire front of the coach. He did a very nice job of it. The bedliner is color matched to the main color of the coach, and it's very neatly applied. However, at the end of the day, I really don't like it at all. So much so that if it can't be removed and the nose of the coach resprayed to factory colors and graphics, it's a deal killer.

I wouldn't even bother thinking about this coach except that other than this it's really a very nice one that checks most boxes.

So, this becomes an two part question.

1- Can this bedliner be removed? If so how, and how expensive is it to have it done? Has anyone on here ever had to do this?

2- Have any of you ever had the nose of your class A completely repainted to factory scheme and graphics? If so do you remember approximately what the cost of that was?

I appreciate input on this. Thanks.

A32Deuce · 01-01-2020, 10:20 AM

Walk away.

dennis45 · 01-01-2020, 10:31 AM

I tend to agree with duce. If this treatment is something you cant live with, the cost to remove and refinish the front end will be expensive. Unless you can negotiate at least a 10K Minimum price adjustment, I’d say walk.

Doug427 · 01-01-2020, 10:51 AM

I figured, on just a guess based upon years of car, hot rod etc experience, $2000 to $3000 thousand to re-do this. $10K? That never entered my mind. I've has entire cars repainted for less than that. You think it would be that much? Wow!

MRUSA14 · 01-01-2020, 10:53 AM

Contact a reputable RV body shop and painter and get a quote. Don't forget to include the cost of adding new 3M or Diamond Shield.

Kodiakan · 01-01-2020, 10:54 AM

Well, re-covering with bedliner is what I am contemplating currently. The PO tried to remove the film and made a mess of it. I have seen many posts on this and there doesn't appear to be an easy way to remove the film. Once you get the bedliner removed you will have a really ugly film below. Some are installing bras on their coaches. That might be an alternative.

dennis45 · 01-01-2020, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug427

I figured, on just a guess based upon years of car, hot rod etc experience, $2000 to $3000 thousand to re-do this. $10K? That never entered my mind. I've has entire cars repainted for less than that. You think it would be that much? Wow!

As others have suggested, check with a reputable Body Shop that specialize in refinishing Class A coaches. I think you might get a surprise. The Diamondshield alone will eat up the best part of 2K.

BillJinOR · 01-01-2020, 12:56 PM

When I bought my coach I asked about removing the shield and painting the front and roof transition around the entire coach and was quoted a min of 8 grand. I didn’t pursue it or shop it and I’m sure a Mexican cross border would be cheaper by a bunch.
I agree if it’s a deal breaker for you , walk.

Teamfoxy · 01-03-2020, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Contact a reputable RV body shop and painter and get a quote. Don't forget to include the cost of adding new 3M or Diamond Shield.

Why would you want to put new Diamond shield on when it will just turn to crap again? I just removed mine. Heat gun, plastic scrapers to get the film off, then xylene, scrapers & scrunge pads to remove the adhesive residue. I never want that s---t again! The only saving grace is that the paint still looks great.
Just going to Teflon polish it in the future and use dryer sheets to remove the bugs.

Finance · 01-03-2020, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teamfoxy

Why would you want to put new Diamond shield on when it will just turn to crap again? I just removed mine. Heat gun, plastic scrapers to get the film off, then xylene, scrapers & scrunge pads to remove the adhesive residue. I never want that s---t again! The only saving grace is that the paint still looks great.
Just going to Teflon polish it in the future and use dryer sheets to remove the bugs.

You’ve got a 9 year old coach, the front paint “still looks great”, and yet you believe the product that protected that paint is ...

Take a look at the front of a coach without protection of equal age and see how the paint looks.

The main issue with paint protection films is unrealistic expectations. The film is a sacrificial barrier, and if it wasn’t there the rocks and bugs would ensure that the front paint wouldn’t look so good.

dennis45 · 01-03-2020, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finance

You’ve got a 9 year old coach, the front paint “still looks great”, and yet you believe the product that protected that paint is ...

Take a look at the front of a coach without protection of equal age and see how the paint looks.

The main issue with paint protection films is unrealistic expectations. The film is a sacrificial barrier, and if it wasn’t there the rocks and bugs would ensure that the front paint wouldn’t look so good.

Ahhh, the voice of common sense.

Teamfoxy · 01-04-2020, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finance

You’ve got a 9 year old coach, the front paint “still looks great”, and yet you believe the product that protected that paint is ...

Take a look at the front of a coach without protection of equal age and see how the paint looks.

The main issue with paint protection films is unrealistic expectations. The film is a sacrificial barrier, and if it wasn’t there the rocks and bugs would ensure that the front paint wouldn’t look so good.

Before we bought our present coach last year, we had a 2005 Itasca. No film and no paint damage. We endure 2 love bug seasons a year here in FL which cover our cars and windshields in bugs. I don't know of anyone who uses plastic film on the front of their cars.
The key is to clean bugs off and not allow them to sit for long and you have to clean bugs off the windshield anyway. Not hard to clean the painted surfaces at the same time. Dryer sheets work well to get most of the bug splat off and follow up with a mix of car wash and bug wash, then rinse with fresh water. I keep the wash solution in a covered bucket in the basement and it keeps for a month or so. I fill a second bucket with plain water and use a soft brush to rinse; never use the hose unless I am washing the entire coach. Takes 5 minutes and 2 gallons of water.

clifford j · 01-04-2020, 06:01 AM

I guess the issue is what looks worst, an ugly shield a few years down the road or a few stone chips. Cleaning off bugs frequently makes sense.
This reminds me of people who put seat covers on to keep their seats looking beautiful underneath.

CLIFFORD

DurangoNick · 01-04-2020, 08:13 PM

I don't know that you can really remove the bed liner. Originally it was designed for pickup beds with no thought of removing it. Now, they are starting to spray it on coaches in the aftermarket. I have DuraShield on the front of mine that is starting to degrade (wear out). Removing and replacing will be several thousand dollars. The new will still only last 5 years (warranty) or so. I am really thinking of spraying bed liner on there when the time comes.

Note that there are two main brands of protective shield these days, DuraShield and DiamondShield. I bet they both use the same 3M film.... Anyway, you need that or a bra or bed liner on the front of your coach. You chose.