Community Forums

jlmanatee · 07-08-2019, 07:52 AM

My 2006 Gulfstream SunVoyager has the obligatory clearcoat flaking common to the era. Luckily for me it's only an issue on the upper front cap. No local body shops have the facilities to handle a 12 ft high motorhome. I've started prepping it for a new primer/basecoat/clearcoat shoot with rattle cans. I'm following an excellent Youtube video (

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AJ1JVl7yTY

) by a very entertaining guy. I've attached before/after pictures and will post more as I progress. Here are pics before/after sanding with 220 grit. Next will be surface cleaning and gray 2k primer.

CountryB · 07-08-2019, 11:01 AM

I just did this over the weekend (well it took a couple of weekends).

It was a pain to work on, as you said 12 ft off the ground.

I sanded off the peeling clear coat and used a paint gun to repaint the base coat and apply the clear coat.

I setup two ladders and then used some stacked 2x6s as scaffolding.

Now the last step is to "color sand" to remove any dust/dirt specs and bring out the full gloss. This done by wet sanding with 2000 grit then buffing paint.

jlmanatee · 07-08-2019, 11:50 AM

Wow! Looks very nice. Hope I have as much luck.

gmc70 · 07-09-2019, 05:02 PM

If you want to do it right DON'T use rattle can [Mod Edit]. First off the rattle can clear does not have the iso to get as hard as the two or three part stuff. If you have to use rattle can base and a true clear coat but then if you can spray the good clear you should be able to spray the base. If you must use rattle cans use a quality product. Look at either Eastwood or Summit racing brands. I am not a professional painter but have done several complete jobs on high quality street rods that I have built for myself. Good luck and wear a mask!!!

jlmanatee · 07-10-2019, 09:46 AM

Yes, I agree.

I'm using a 2k clear coat from USC SprayMax. Worse Case: It doesn't last and I have to get it done professionally at an RV center out of state.

2K Coatings
This describes a coating that needs to be mixed with a hardener, catalyst or activator. Once it hardens it is much less susceptible to damage from chemicals, weather, or UV rays.

deandec · 07-19-2019, 08:14 PM

I have used the 2k Spray Max stuff. It will work well, but I believe that you need more than three coats of the stuff applied for it to last more than 3 years.

Also, apply the clear coat in sequence with new base paint or sand the base coat before applying the clear coat.

Apply the three coats, then wet sand and apply more coats.

If doing the whole rig, SprayMax would get very expensive. So a gun and compressor would be better.

PS... I am an amateur so research my recommendations.

jlmanatee · 07-20-2019, 05:36 AM

Work is at a halt till the humidity drops and the almost-daily rain stops.

jlmanatee · 08-13-2019, 02:40 PM

I completed my rattle can spray project last weekend. I think it looks pretty good myself. But it cost me a fall off a ladder and a bad foot sprain.

The wife said it was a good thing I didn't fall on my head. I agree as I wouldn't have wanted to dent the driveway.

Click image for larger version

Name: GSafterImage.jpg
Views: 65
Size: 440.0 KB
ID: 256792

**Lt Dan** · 08-13-2019, 03:00 PM

Congratulations, that's a great improvement over the way it was.

deandec · 08-13-2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmanatee

I completed my rattle can spray project last weekend. I think it looks pretty good myself. But it cost me a fall off a ladder and a bad foot sprain.

The wife said it was a good thing I didn't fall on my head. I agree as I wouldn't have wanted to dent the driveway.

Attachment 256792

Looks good.

BTW, I have found that the scaffolding from Harbor Freight works great for painting projects on a 40' rig. Buy it with their 20% discount coupon.

At 75+, the fewer trips up and down the ladder mean longer work periods for me.

Also, it makes for good storage shelves and/or a portable work table in the garage when not in use for painting.

https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-..._q=scaffolding

jlmanatee · 08-13-2019, 07:40 PM

I borrowed a friend's garage where he stores his dump truck. Unfortunately, His 12' high door was about a foot too short. So I parked just in front of it and used the shed roof's edge to build a tent out of a 20 x 30' tarp. Worked great. He also had that exact same scaffolding mentioned in the previous reply. However, even at its highest setting it was still too short to do this work and it felt tippy. I had a fall anyway when my extension ladder's feet slid on the smooth garage floor, taking me with it. It surprised the heck out of me as I "rode" it down.