Repainting front cap

[432bartman]

As I write this, our entire front cap is getting redone. All the factory stickers are coming off, the tan color and surrounding greenish/gray is going to be repainted. The large MONTANA on the front will be painted and then the entire cap will get several coats of what the painter calls a very heavy duty clear coat, which is much more durable than what the factory did. None of the other stickers will be put back on, which in my opinion will give our trailer a very clean look. Prior to the body shop getting the trailer, I removed all the front LED lights and wiring. Once I get it back, the front cap and the porch awning lights will be replaced with new multi-color LED's I got from Boogey Lights. I've already wired in the two controllers for the new LED's, which will be controlled by either remote or my phone. Anybody else go through this process or change anything on their front cap? Just curious if anybody did any custom or personalized touches?

[Dave W]

The only custom feature that I had done on ours when the front cap was painted was to leave the mountain scene off as it, IMO, is too busy and just leaving Montana there. The rest of the decals are still there as the side ones terminate in a point on the cap.


Our cap was done with DuPont (now Axalta) Chromacolor along with their clear coat. Six years later, still shines nicely with no deterioration seen. Heavy doesn't do the job though a top quality product will. If it's too heavy a clear coat, you may find that it can yellow or worse, crack. The paint manufacturer will have the proper guidelines.



Post some photos when done

[dieselguy]

Let's hope the shop you selected is versed in painting large fiberglass panels. Fiberglass moves different in temperature swings than does metal. Products may be more advanced nowadays, but a few years back heavy clear coats crazed and yellowed after a while.

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

Let's hope the shop you selected is versed in painting large fiberglass panels. Fiberglass moves different in temperature swings than does metal. Products may be more advanced nowadays, but a few years back heavy clear coats crazed and yellowed after a while.

That's all they do. From TT, 5th wheels to full blown million dollar diesel pusher motor homes.

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by Dave W

The only custom feature that I had done on ours when the front cap was painted was to leave the mountain scene off as it, IMO, is too busy and just leaving Montana there. The rest of the decals are still there as the side ones terminate in a point on the cap.


Our cap was done with DuPont (now Axalta) Chromacolor along with their clear coat. Six years later, still shines nicely with no deterioration seen. Heavy doesn't do the job though a top quality product will. If it's too heavy a clear coat, you may find that it can yellow or worse, crack. The paint manufacturer will have the proper guidelines.



Post some photos when done

Yeah Dave I will post when done, and we're leaving off the mountain scene as well.

[dieselguy]

bartman ... I know most all painting is "base coat / clear coat" nowadays. The base coat is a dull color coat ... the clear coat shot over it brings on the shine. The only thing I was concerned about in your post was mentioning a "heavy duty clear coat" which I took as a "thick coat". Like I also mentioned ... products probably have changed in recent years, but a thick clear coat a few years back sure gave the paint job a deep color and shine, but it eventually crazed and yellowed. Light clear coat applications seldom have that issue. If "heavy duty clear coat" meant a special clear coat formula and not anything to do with thickness ... disregard my concern.

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

bartman ... I know most all painting is "base coat / clear coat" nowadays. The base coat is a dull color coat ... the clear coat shot over it brings on the shine. The only thing I was concerned about in your post was mentioning a "heavy duty clear coat" which I took as a "thick coat". Like I also mentioned ... products probably have changed in recent years, but a thick clear coat a few years back sure gave the paint job a deep color and shine, but it eventually crazed and yellowed. Light clear coat applications seldom have that issue. If "heavy duty clear coat" meant a special clear coat formula and not anything to do with thickness ... disregard my concern.

Yeah, I meant to say several coats of a heavy duty clear coat, that will keep shining for many many years. The painter said it has an additive to keep it strong, resist any fading, and provide a very durable finish. It will all be done before the end of the month. We have another trip planned the first week of May.

[scattershot]

I’ve been thinking of having that done, too. My Montana is a 2006, with the original decals and finish. My question is, does removing the decals after that long leave a “shadow” that ill be visible through the new paint? Also, anyone have a ballpark figure on cost?

Thanks

[dieselguy]

Scatter shot, I guarantee you will have a ghost of the decals after removing them on your 06. Me and others have tried on newer units to buff the ghost away with limited success if any. I guess painting over would eliminate the ghost, but I can't say for sure because I have always replaced the decals eliminating the issue.

[432bartman]

Scatter Shot, I feel that any reputable shop doing the redo will prep the surface correctly after removing all the stickers, which probably entails sanding the surface, filling any defects, priming, paint, and then clear coating. My little project is costing $4,400.00.

[scattershot]

Thanks for the info.

[beeje]

All of the decals on my 2011 unit are in near-perfect condition. Are you tribute that in part to it being gel coated instead of fyelon.
But the big difference is how and where they are stored when not in use. 90% of my trailers life has been spent in a pole building which sees no rain sun or snow.
As for those that are full timing or even long timing the only thing you can really do is keep it washed and waxed up.

[scattershot]

Yeah, mine has lived outside for all of it’s 15 (almost 16) years now, and the decals are in really poor shape,

[432bartman]

Well, I got it back today. We're really happy how it turned out. The painter still has a few little details to do, but we needed it for a trip this week. One thing we added was the model number of our trailer to the front 3560RL. The Montana and the 3560RL are painted on, and clear coated over After we get back, it's getting all new LED lighting in the CAP and the awning. I already have the brains of the two new LED controllers wired in.

[scattershot]

That turned out beautifully! Congrats.