Community Forums

LVRVLUVR · 11-23-2016, 08:17 AM

been years since I've painted anything.... in fact I used to own a streetrod shop with a full paint and body shop... painted every thing with catalized enamel,,, get done and cut and buff...looks great...

we wanna paint my sons rv and wondering the best and easy way to go....I amagine it's the same as painting a boat? and is there a single stage that we can use that doesn't need primer..../??.... whats gonna be the best for longevity and results? whats gonna stick to the fiberglass and not peel?

my middle son painted his last motorhome with nason cheep paint.... didn't prime or anything... still looked good after 3 years ... but he sold it and got a different one...

it's a little 18'r... and cost to have it done might be way out of line... so probley have to do it our selves...

any and all ideas and answers appreciated:thumbsup

rapid rick · 11-23-2016, 09:19 AM

Summit racing supply,single stage paints and hardners/reducers. Low cost,nice results,scuff with scotchbrite,clean real well with wax and silicone remover,paint.Use a hvlp gun to spray,12 lbs pressure at gun+or-.

450Donn · 11-23-2016, 10:07 AM

Well, modern paints are nothing like what we used even 10 years ago. They are way more toxic unless you get one of the newest water born paints. And talk about expensive! Yikes, painting a complete RV could set you back a thousand dollars or more in materials. Add in respirator, full body tyvex suit, lots of plastic sheeting to build a paint booth and your talking some real bucks for even a small RV. Dont forget to check with your local EPA on doing it too.

dix39 · 11-23-2016, 10:39 AM

I painted a small 1 ton school bus one time that I was planning to convert to a MH. It was 4WD.

All I can say is that it takes a lot of time and paint. I used a two tone Green Acrylic Enamel which was common for the time (early 70s). It turned out good, but then we moved from WV to OR and a top speed of 55 or so just wasn't fast enough for this part of the country. We did use it to move with, towing a Opel Cadett wagon. It took forever!

As already mentioned, be careful with some of the newer paints as they can be absorbed through the skin and are harmful. A good mask goes without saying.

Best of luck with your project.

Steve

ahicks · 11-24-2016, 07:14 AM

I'd suggest you locate a local shop and talk to them about an acrylic enamel in a solid/non metallic color. In my experience, that's about as easy/inexpensive as you're going to get.

Some of these paint shops aren't even going to want to talk with you, but others are run more like a small mom and pop store and love to help DIY's out.

J. Frank · 11-24-2016, 08:52 AM

I recently painted my Class A motorhome, however, it only had paint on the lower 2 feet. I used acrylic enamel with hardner, painted it outside, and had a good result. Most perfectionists would turn there nose up at doing this outside, but if you pick a calm day, it is not as bad as it sounds. All of the surfaces were in the vertical, which resists dust or dirt from falling on it before it dries. I used an HVLP gun with a pressure setting of about 15 psi at the gun. I used a little less than 1/2 gallon. The paint was PPG and cost $100. I spot primed the bare areas. Masking and prep work took me 2 days...Painting - about 2 hours. I took all the locks off the cargo doors, as these would have been impossible to mask (9 doors and 18 locks). This paint dries in a few minutes, so contamination was zero problem. Here is a link to a picture.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f58/refur...on-316515.html

dix39 · 11-24-2016, 09:49 AM

I did the bus outside as well, perhaps that's why it took so much paint?? :-)) A little breeze can increase consumption. One huge Crane Fly flew into it while I was working late in the evening. That imprint was there forever. Other than that there are no memories of problems from being outdoors.

I did paint my truck in the driveway which is under a large Non-Fruiting Mulberry tree. Later in the day there was enough breeze to move the limbs of the tree which then brought small debris down onto the truck. I hastily suspended a tarp over the truck by hanging it from the tree which kept more debris off. That was a base-clear paint which seems to last about 10 years before the clear starts peeling if the vehicle is left outside. I don't know, but that paint may do better if the vehicle is kept inside. It does a beautiful job, but because of the longevity I don't care for it and prefer a single coat paint.

Best of luck with yours.

Steve

big willie · 11-27-2016, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

been years since I've painted anything.... in fact I used to own a streetrod shop with a full paint and body shop... painted every thing with catalized enamel,,, get done and cut and buff...looks great...

we wanna paint my sons rv and wondering the best and easy way to go....I amagine it's the same as painting a boat? and is there a single stage that we can use that doesn't need primer..../??.... whats gonna be the best for longevity and results? whats gonna stick to the fiberglass and not peel?

my middle son painted his last motorhome with nason cheep paint.... didn't prime or anything... still looked good after 3 years ... but he sold it and got a different one...

it's a little 18'r... and cost to have it done might be way out of line... so probley have to do it our selves...

any and all ideas and answers appreciated:thumbsup

Kirker automotive paint shoots like old school enamel you are used to and has a beautiful shine. Not priced bad either. You can buff out runs and orange peel like single stage enamel as well.

guardrail53 · 11-27-2016, 11:49 PM

Well, you are from Vegas? Do you know S&S Detail Shop? Behind the old Flying J, same exit as the Blue Beacon, turn the other way at the light, Right instead of left, go to the next light, turn left! on the R. Talk to Mike, owner of S & S, in the building behind his office, is a shop, that has a paint booth in it that will fit the biggest RV, no problem! Last time i was there, some guys were doing truck repair in the shop, and the paint booth was just sitting there? Unused!! I don't know what is going on with the place now, as i have retired from trucking, and moved to Thailand! But it might be worth a trip to talk with Mike, and ask him? Heck the last time i looked inside it, it still had lots of paint, still in the racks!! That has been 4 years ago, or so, so a lot could have changed by now? Worth a call, or a trip?
Rail!