repainting my gel coat skin

Runs are very easy to get when spray painting on a vertical surface. Fiberglass is also smooth and helps create the runs.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Snowfether wrote:
Thanks everyone. Those were all the answers I expected and simply confirmed my suspicions I would be totally in over my head if I did this. I just want now to have all the decals removed and get her all sanded and primed and then just an application of a single color, probably white. I will worry about decals at a later date. Any idea on pricing for something like this in the midwest?

With the economy still in the toilet, I am sure that you can find someone to apply the paint using either their spray rig or a rental unit. The sanding is not that difficult and something that you can do yourself over a few weeks. It does not all have to be done at one time. Even the painting can be done in sections.
The material costs will vary and if you find someone that will do the spray painting, I am sure that they have some recommendations on the type of paint to use.
There are plenty of skilled painters out there that could use the work and I am sure that you will be able to find someone that will work within your budget.
If you plan on keeping the coach you may as well do it right instead of taking a chance with an interior floor finish(ZEP) that will provide zero UV protection for the rest of your fiberglass surfaces.
Spray painting is not that difficult and there have been several people that posted on this forum about painting their own coach.
The vinyl stripes can usually be peeled of using a hand held electric hair dryer to heat and soften the adhesive.

spray painting might not be what you call difficult, but it takes some skill level and it does not come on the first try with anyone

I have sprayed some boats here in my yard using a paint called Trilux. It is designed to go over gelcoat and is a one coat cover, no clear needed afterwards. It gets really hard and durable, I recently saw one that I did 12 years ago and it still looked extremely shiny. I even painted my own 32 ft. Wellcraft which I have since sold to a friend, 10 years later it too looks great. All I used was a small compressor to apply on this before I bought my bigger setup. I am thinking of spraying my MH, gelcoat is gelcoat right? Preparation is the key to any paint job....
I remember the first one I did, I had no clue what I was doing but I took my time and it turned out just fine.

Snowfether wrote:
Thanks everyone. Those were all the answers I expected and simply confirmed my suspicions I would be totally in over my head if I did this. I just want now to have all the decals removed and get her all sanded and primed and then just an application of a single color, probably white. I will worry about decals at a later date. Any idea on pricing for something like this in the midwest?

With the economy still in the toilet, I am sure that you can find someone to apply the paint using either their spray rig or a rental unit. The sanding is not that difficult and something that you can do yourself over a few weeks. It does not all have to be done at one time. Even the painting can be done in sections.
The material costs will vary and if you find someone that will do the spray painting, I am sure that they have some recommendations on the type of paint to use.
There are plenty of skilled painters out there that could use the work and I am sure that you will be able to find someone that will work within your budget.
If you plan on keeping the coach you may as well do it right instead of taking a chance with an interior floor finish(ZEP) that will provide zero UV protection for the rest of your fiberglass surfaces.
Spray painting is not that difficult and there have been several people that posted on this forum about painting their own coach.
The vinyl stripes can usually be peeled of using a hand held electric hair dryer to heat and soften the adhesive.

On that year MH you don't have many decals, I would remove the decals and machine buff the gelcoat with a polishing compound or do the Zeps to bring back the shine. The lower section looks good from you photo.

When you take that Zep off in 2-3 years- Good luck!
My MH was looking good until he Zep yellowed abs started flaking off after 2 1/2 years. When I tried to remove it- well some of it is still on it and only full strength Zep remover will touch it and it stains the jell coat. good luck.
Just saying.

This may be completely off the mark, and not what you were thinking about at all, so just ignore me if it is. But we have only managed to get one coat of Zep Clear coat on our older Motorhome, and it already looks 10 years younger, we plan to do at least two more, and the shine is great. We put this on with a swifter wet pad, just stood back and used the mop in long even strokes. Then made sure all was covered by hand around windows, door so on. Like I said if this is off the mark just ignore.

Thanks everyone. Those were all the answers I expected and simply confirmed my suspicions I would be totally in over my head if I did this. I just want now to have all the decals removed and get her all sanded and primed and then just an application of a single color, probably white. I will worry about decals at a later date. Any idea on pricing for something like this in the midwest?

A rattle can paint job is going to look worse than what ever issues you have now.