Hello every, I am fairly new to the site. I recently purchase a 1996 Coach House 192 campervan. The previous owner supplied a detailed record of all maintenance along with receipts. The van appears to be in great shape inside and out. However, some of the stickers have faded around the lower section along with the paint on the running boards. I would like to have the van painted because I am not a big fan of the white exterior. Has anyone had a campervan similar to this vehicle painted? If so, what are some of the things I need to be concerned with? My plan is to paint the van one solid color with maybe a strip down the side of the van and another strip around the high top. Do you think I am lessening the value by painting the van?I would appreciate any insight someone could offer me.

Well. My uncle was in the used car business and he taught me how to determine if a car had been in an accident. One indication was repainting. Before repainting be sure to take pictures, even get a statement that the repaint was purely cosmetic. My little Miata (bought used) had been stolen, recovered mid-repainting and then repainted the original color. After that it was hit twice in the rear which was repaired/repainted by top restorer. The paint on that part has eroded in patches. OTOH, my used 1992 GMC (bought in 2011) looked terrible so I took it to a "porter" where the woman said I had award winning oxidation but they worked on it for 2 days and brought it back looking fabulous. I then took it to our body "fixer" and he got rid of the rust

If you value cool air, keep it a lighter color. I'd seriously consider leaving at least the roof white.Jim, "No one snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."

drsolo wrote:Well. My uncle was in the used car business and he taught me how to determine if a car had been in an accident. One indication was repainting. Before repainting be sure to take pictures, even get a statement that the repaint was purely cosmetic. My little Miata (bought used) had been stolen, recovered mid-repainting and then repainted the original color. After that it was hit twice in the rear which was repaired/repainted by top restorer. The paint on that part has eroded in patches. OTOH, my used 1992 GMC (bought in 2011) looked terrible so I took it to a "porter" where the woman said I had award winning oxidation but they worked on it for 2 days and brought it back looking fabulous. I then took it to our body "fixer" and he got rid of the rustThis was something I never thought about, thanks for letting me know. I will be sure to have the painter sign a statement.

Handbasket wrote:If you value cool air, keep it a lighter color. I'd seriously consider leaving at least the roof white.Jim, "No one snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."Wow, so this explains why most RV's are white. This is the first RV of any kind that I have owned. I have a lots to learn about the culture. This is the reason I did not want spend a lot of money on a newer unit until I knew this was the way I wanted to go. I have been lurking around for quite awhile because there are a lot knowledgeable folks on this site. This really help make the decision to pull the trigger.

Painting the van should not change the value much, as it is already 18 years old. I would follow the advice of getting a statement form the painter, just in case.

Painting a van | Good Sam Community

drsolo
Nomad
Feb 24, 2014
Well. My uncle was in the used car business and he taught me how to determine if a car had been in an accident. One indication was repainting. Before repainting be sure to take pictures, even get a statement that the repaint was purely cosmetic. My little Miata (bought used) had been stolen, recovered mid-repainting and then repainted the original color. After that it was hit twice in the rear which was repaired/repainted by top restorer. The paint on that part has eroded in patches. OTOH, my used 1992 GMC (bought in 2011) looked terrible so I took it to a "porter" where the woman said I had award winning oxidation but they worked on it for 2 days and brought it back looking fabulous. I then took it to our body "fixer" and he got rid of the rust
Handbasket
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
If you value cool air, keep it a lighter color. I'd seriously consider leaving at least the roof white.

Jim, "No one snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."
timp410
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
drsolo wrote:
Well. My uncle was in the used car business and he taught me how to determine if a car had been in an accident. One indication was repainting. Before repainting be sure to take pictures, even get a statement that the repaint was purely cosmetic. My little Miata (bought used) had been stolen, recovered mid-repainting and then repainted the original color. After that it was hit twice in the rear which was repaired/repainted by top restorer. The paint on that part has eroded in patches. OTOH, my used 1992 GMC (bought in 2011) looked terrible so I took it to a "porter" where the woman said I had award winning oxidation but they worked on it for 2 days and brought it back looking fabulous. I then took it to our body "fixer" and he got rid of the rust

This was something I never thought about, thanks for letting me know. I will be sure to have the painter sign a statement.
timp410
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Handbasket wrote:
If you value cool air, keep it a lighter color. I'd seriously consider leaving at least the roof white.

Jim, "No one snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."

Wow, so this explains why most RV's are white. This is the first RV of any kind that I have owned. I have a lots to learn about the culture. This is the reason I did not want spend a lot of money on a newer unit until I knew this was the way I wanted to go. I have been lurking around for quite awhile because there are a lot knowledgeable folks on this site. This really help make the decision to pull the trigger.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Painting the van should not change the value much, as it is already 18 years old.

I would follow the advice of getting a statement form the painter, just in case.
timp410
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
Painting the van should not change the value much, as it is already 18 years old.

I would follow the advice of getting a statement form the painter, just in case.

Thanks Dog Folks, your statement makes good sense. I was thinking about painting the van a charco gray color.
lizzie
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
I had my 1996 RT 190 repainted because the paint was dull. It looked great! I did have it painted the original white with blue trim and ordered new decals from RT. lizzie
timp410
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
lizzie wrote:
I had my 1996 RT 190 repainted because the paint was dull. It looked great! I did have it painted the original white with blue trim and ordered new decals from RT. lizzie

Thanks for responding Lizzie, do you mind quoting me the cost of what they charged you to repaint your van? I will not be replacing the factory stickers since they no longer available. I can truly understand why you would want to restore the Roadtrek stickers.
drsolo
Nomad
Feb 25, 2014
lizzie wrote:
I had my 1996 RT 190 repainted because the paint was dull. It looked great! I did have it painted the original white with blue trim and ordered new decals from RT. lizzie

Did you try a portering business attempt to restore the finish first? Mine was really dull, very badly oxidized, but they were able to bring back the shine. And they suggested I bring it in to them once a year to keep it looking good.
timp410
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
drsolo wrote:
lizzie wrote:
I had my 1996 RT 190 repainted because the paint was dull. It looked great! I did have it painted the original white with blue trim and ordered new decals from RT. lizzie

Did you try a portering business attempt to restore the finish first? Mine was really dull, very badly oxidized, but they were able to bring back the shine. And they suggested I bring it in to them once a year to keep it looking good.

Actually the paint still has a shine to the finish. However, the fiberglass top is dull. I think the van would look better if it were painted grey.

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