Big Sky paint question?

[Artemus Gordon]

I keep hearing people state the Big Sky has no decals. Is that correct? I thought the logos etc. were still decals. Set me straight here! In addition, god forbid, it happens, repair of custom paint will be far more expensive? I hear the paint chips from rocks are more bothersome? Last but not least is a finish question. I heard the painted units have a different "base gel finish" than non painted units? Set me straight folks.

[napria]

Before purchasing our non-BigSky we were in negotiations with our local dealer on a 3850FL BigSky. Having no decals was a big issue for my husband at the time. I was assured in writing that the BigSky is full body paint with no decals. Ultimately the non-BigSky 3850FL was pushing our limits of what we can afford, so the choice ended up being get what we got (base with decals) or not getting anything.

[Carl n Susan]

There are four decals on a Big Sky. They are not all that large and easily removed. Anywhere you see text, it is a decal. The paint does chip if hit by road debris (aka rocks). Mud flaps tend to reduce that problem. I believe the gelcoat is the same as a regular Montana (other than it is painted and you don't see it). The rigs look the same coming down the assembly line except the Big Sky's doesn't get decals until after they are painted.

[richfaa]

Yes there are decals. The BIG SKY and MONTANA are decals. Mine delivered Jun 3 2102 are holding up well. The big sky is paint over the regular Gel coat color. Just my experience and just my opinion but in my case it was a mistake to get the Big Sky. It is pretty if you overlook the chips on the front. I don't know if they still paint the front panel but I would ask them not to paint it.

[HOOK]

The Big Sky logos are decals. I have not had any chips show up on ours, yet. Four bottles of Touch up paint come with the unit. The decals are not many and appear to be of a different texture or material from our last Monte. The paint is much easier to clean than the gel coat was . I am pleased with it so far.

[Artemus Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by HOOK

The Big Sky logos are decals. I have not had any chips show up on ours, yet. Four bottles of Touch up paint come with the unit. The decals are not many and appear to be of a different texture or material from our last Monte. The paint is much easier to clean than the gel coat was . I am pleased with it so far.

Could they be shooting decals with clear coat when finalizing the painting process ? That might make a big difference?

[jimkottke]

I have a 2005 montana big sky 3670rl. Have had problems with the decals after to years old. Its to bad Keystone is not interested in keeping these units looking good. I have replaced the front decals in 2012 and now the clearcoat is flaking off looks bad. Also had both side panels come loose and plow up in the wind while traveling home for tex not to mention the pin box frame had to be replaced while traveling down to tex. The amount of money you pay for a unit this should not have happen!!!!!!

[richfaa]

Four Bottles of touch up do come with the unit. Mine was painted at maple city collision just down the road from the factory. They paint many brands.
we are on our second four bottles of touch up. Never used the white but have used up all the other Colors. Sherwin Williams can mix the colors.
Just put the Rock Tamers on the truck for the trip back to Ohio. They reduced the chipping on the front to @ 15 chips on the 1200 miles down to Florida in October. It is going to cost me big bucks to protect the front of the unit or maybe just leave it as it is. I did note at the rally that the newer than mine Big Sky's did not have the front panel painted. Maybe we can get the paint removed from ours.

[Jay Bird]

I have large mud flaps and Rock Tamers and have been to Charleston and back, Florida and back and have not experienced rock chips as of this date.

[richfaa]

We also have the Ford OEM flaps and the rock tamers and I do not know what I am doing wrong as we get chips . They are installed as per the instructions and the film on the rock tamers site. Why only me????

I get chips and others do not get a single one...I went out a counted the touch up marks as they are easy to see because the gray touch up paint does not exactly match. we are 22 months old and I count 162 touch up marks on the front lower panel and compartment doors.

[richfaa]

We apparently have one of few Big Skys that has paint that chips. Rock tamer, truck flaps still get chips. 700 miles on our way home and many chips all on interstates. We will no longer touch them up. Gray front lower panel with white speckles is our new look.

[Chip]

We have some chips on the front but not many. I have not touched them up yet but will when it bothers me. So far not enough to worry about. I may just wait and repaint that whole front panel when it needs it.

[gkidsdlite]

Well there is another way to look at the rock chips folks, they can be viewed as notches on your 5ver that attest to the many happy miles you have put on it! I would love to say I got those going to Florida in ought12 or those going to Arizona in ought13 and so on! If you do all you can to prevent the chips roll with it Brother and accept it!

[washley1]

Our Big Sky is an 09, so the graphics are painted, but the bulk of the body, including the lower front panel are white. basically a regular Montana with accents and logos painted on. And our logos are painted, not decals. Even so, there are spots in the paint on the nose cap,, probably from bugs that got baked on before I could get them washed off.

[richfaa]

Leaving the lower front panel white would have been a good move however on my best you can buy, top of the line 2013 Montana Big sky mine are painted and it looks like crap. But we will leave it as it is and folks who come by to admire the pretty Big Sky can admire the chipped front panel. It will be at the Dealer May 6th for tanks replacement and we will be looking at the rest of the stuff in the underbelly. We will see if the "paint" can be removed.

[Artemus Gordon]

I Rhino coated in color my last trailer. I think when we buy out next Fiver if full body paint I will do that again. Our gel coat is flawless on my Montana. Paint is easier to chip. I am still impressed the paint can be applied to high gloss gel coat. Did not know that!

[richfaa]

Rhino coat...I will look into that...

[Artemus Gordon]

Rich : I took it to a body shop that does fiberglass. They applied the coating. Not a dealer.

[washley1]

I wonder if that stuff is similar to the coating the Ford dealer put on my F350. It has kept the finish nearly flawless for 5 1/2 years, with not a single coat of wax. I'll have to look up the name, but I think it may have been called Xylon.

[richfaa]

We have a shop right down the road that does rhino coat. I have had it on a couple of my trucks. I think that would work. I think I would go rhino coat black....That's for the heads up/.