Diamond Shield

We had ours removed for similar reasons, plus stuff was growing under it. If I put on anything alse it won't be a shield of any sort, it'll be a very hard clear coat.

I really don't think it is that good. I have a place above my step entry. Toes of shoes scuffs the Diamond shield and not cleanable. I am going to have to cover it with something. It came with my MH. I would never order it. If you get a bad scuff it is expensive to repair.

Mr Pinky,
"Diamond Shield" and the similar product by 3M, can both be a serious pain in the a$$. There are many, many reports of all kinds of issues with both. I'm not a chemist so, I cannot tell you just what causes your issues and or, any other issues with that protective cover. I hear it's the sun, moisture, improper prep when installing it, extreme cold, maybe altogether, who knows?

Apparently we're pretty lucky. Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon, 36GD with the C-7 330HP and full body paint, has either the 3M product or, the Diamond Shield and, to date, it's flawless. Now, as I understand it, we're the 4th owners of this coach and, we purchased it right at 4 years ago with 40k on the clock. It now has close to 62K on it.

And, as far as we've been lead to believe, all the coaches previous owners, kept it under a drive under cover, as do we. In fact, it's got it's own RV garage, right next to and, connected to the house.

So, I'm fairly positive that keeping it out of the suns reach, whenever it's not being used, is rather large help in preventing issues of any type with it. But, even though "I" think keeping it inside helps, there's other folks out there that also keep theirs inside and still develop problems with it.

So, what's the best answer here, who in the world knows? Many have had those covers removed and, if paint damage resulted while removing it, had the front of the coaches repainted. And, many have not and will not, re-install the 3M or Diamond Shield.

I think it's a fair product and, does some good in protection of the front of these rolling Kleenex boxes but, to what cost? If one was to figure out how many coaches have had the coating(s) applied ever since the inception of them, then, figure out how many have had issues, I wonder what the ratio would be????
Scott

Some folks have had the front cap sprayed with Rino Lining than repainted to the original colors. It really looks good and is probably the route I'm going to take when the time arises.

Not cheap, but what is??

Mr. Pinky wrote:
Does anyone know of a satisfactory alternative to Diamond Shield on the front of my '04 Dutch Star?

When the coach was 4 years old, the vinyl material was turning loose around the headlights and around the edges, etc. I called Diamond Shield in hopes that it would still be under warranty, but was told that it was out of warranty. They did however agree to supply the material and I would only have to pay the labor to replace it, which came to $800. Now the material is crazing and starting to release at the edges again and I have had it with Diamond Shield.

Has anyone else experienced this? If I remove this material, what will the paint underneath look like?

The coach is always stored under my RV port but front is subject to sun for part of the day. I wouldn't think this gets hot enough to affect the Diamond Shield.

Wish there was one...that Diamond Shield is really **** and worst than not having it...ordering new coach and am asking that it not be applied...Chuck

I think the cheapest alternative is a good quality bra. I'm flabbergasted that DS is still a thriving business. I removed mine this summer and I'll be ****ed if that **** will ever see the light of day on my coach again!

I couldn't believe that Newmar would sell this junk(Ipaid for this option). I took it off using a heat gun and S-c-r-a-p-e Rite orange plastic razor blades, and then lots of Goof Off and paper towels(to remove the adhesive):

This started appearing about 3 years after purchase:

Most coaches on the road have nothing on the front cap and most look pretty nice to me. In fact, the worst I've seen, have been with the ones where something was applied, including bras. I mean do these bras actually look nicer to the owners, than the natural finish? Maybe, I just don't get it, but it reminds me of the old days, when new car owners had their seats covered with plastic. They sat on this junk, instead of the upholstery, for the life of the car and when the car was done for with rust and mechanical failure, the seats were still brand new.

The bra comes off when we reach our destination. I also remove the black thing protecting the paint on the front of the coach.

Old coach had Diamond Shield, '14 has Dura Shield.

http://durashieldppfs.com/