Exterior Painting of Motorhome

Frank,

Not to change your approach, but you aren't that far from Rocky Point Mexico. Maybe you should consider a quick trip down there for a paint job. When I was down there last year they were re-doing strips and whole paint jobs on several rigs and they looked pretty nice when they were done as compared to what they looked like when they came in. I can't remember how much they charged, but I did speak to someone who was having his decal stripes taken off and painted on and he was very happy with the process and price. I think you can even stay in your motorhome while they do the work on-site.

Hope this helps. Just another thought and approach to the problem.

John

Frank,
I feel your pain as I was just working to get my 1988 Prevost painted. RV shops are $10,000+ (closer to 15 or 20) but that's not what I want. I just want a good single color or 1 color plus a strip or 2 but no one will offer a reasonable price claiming that the paint costs $800/gallon. I think I may have to take the RV to Mexico. I just want Earl Scheib to do the work not Michelangelo!
There is a video on line about a guy who painted a Mustang with canned paint but it was a lot of work and multiple layers with sanding and buffing to get a smooth gloss finish. You might want to try to Google that. I have painted portions of my RV with a rattle can and the results have been excellent but I don't know how you could do the RV sections at a time and get a good result. Please keep us informed if you try something as I really, really need my home painted!

Have you considered the ZEP/Red Max Pro Process/

It did a nice job on our 96 Southwind. It won't eliminate scratches but, it will restore the shine.

It's work but, it's not difficult. The prep work is the key to a successful job.

After you clean and remove the oxidation, use the CAR WAX OF YOUR CHOICE. Some don't like the idea of floor wax on their rig.

I used Red Max Pro, Zep 3 is the same thing.

I would try this process before I attempted to paint it myself.

Let us know what you decide.

I don't think any nice paint job will be cheap. The previous owner of my 94 Bounder painted the bottom half a dark Mercedes colour and removed the original stripes and kangaroo logos and replaced with matching stripes. This has taken many years off the look of the original. He owned a body shop so the cost is unknown. I feel the colour changes are worth it if you want to keep an older rv on the road.

House paint would likely not stick well. Nearly impossible to get a passable sheen on the smooth surface without lots of lumps, brush or spray marks.

You might get by with marine enamel. I have used it on a boat - roll on and smooth with a brush. It probably costs more per quart than good house enamel costs for a gallon.

How about satin auto primer in a color, like a rat street rod?

I hear some people go to Mexico for paint jobs.

Matt B