Vetrolite Sides Repair Options & Cost
Problem: the white unpainted sides of our RV look terrible.
Background: When we ordered or Itasca 30B new, we selected the option of "Premium High-Gloss Vetrolite" sides for $1,218.
The sides (white) now have thousands of fine cracks all over, some 1/2 inch long, some several inches, crisscrossing in no particular pattern. The cracks are too deep to be sanded out.
The side areas that were painted (Paint Catalina Metallic Blue a $1,750 option) and the areas that were covered with decals (where the decals are peeling) are fine: glossy and no cracks. So it is a UV degradation issue.
It's frustrating to pay more for a 'premium" exterior finish and get one that cracks after 5 years.
I heard that Vetrolite refused to stand by their product, Winnebago dropped them as a suppler, and Winnebago will not assist in any way with the defective material.
If you have the Vetrolite option, I'd suggest storing your RV indoors or covering it.
If the degradation has already started the following may prove helpful.
Vetrolite Repair Options & Cost:
I tried sanding but even with 120 grit, the cracks did not come out or even clean up. Therefore I researched the options:
Wrap the sides (a vinyl film is placed over the sides). Custom colors, artwork or scenes are options. Minimum of $3,000 to $4,00 installed on the two sides. Concerns: possibility of start peeling or fading after a few years.
Spray urethane paint $550-750. A two component urethane paint single stage (no clear coat) such as TransStar would cost about $400 with hardener for 4 gallons. Prep and masking materials might add another $150.
Concerns: a lot of work. The paint may have adherence issues, not coer well, run, crack or fade.
Professional repair $14,000-18,000: CDI 641-585-5900. (the company that, applies the full body paint for Winnebago). CDI uses Sikkens & Sherwin Williams products. CDI has refinished Vetrolite. (They say that other brands of siding have failed too.)
CDI applies 3 heavy coats of 2k primer, sands this, then sometimes applies a sealer before the basecoat (color), then 3 coats of clearcoat before sand & buff. Cost for this type of refinish for entire RV is $14-18k.
Concerns: Cost and CDI said "The finish may later crack. The cracks in Vetrolite are likely to enlarge."
Note: CDI was very helpful and knowledgeable. From other posts, forum members have been pleased with their refinish quality and speed,
Not liking any of these options, I realized the cosmetic issue with the cracks is that the dirt makes them look terrible. Soaps & detergents didn’t work but when I applied full strength bleach I was amazed that this made them almost invisible. I applied the bleach with a small sponge to keep it off the painted parts, window frames, etc. It took about 2 hours to wash, bleach, rinse and dry one side. The bleach didn't harm the Imron painted body stripes.
Now I’ll apply PoliGlow and let you know how this solution holds up.
Background: When we ordered or Itasca 30B new, we selected the option of "Premium High-Gloss Vetrolite" sides for $1,218.
The sides (white) now have thousands of fine cracks all over, some 1/2 inch long, some several inches, crisscrossing in no particular pattern. The cracks are too deep to be sanded out.
The side areas that were painted (Paint Catalina Metallic Blue a $1,750 option) and the areas that were covered with decals (where the decals are peeling) are fine: glossy and no cracks. So it is a UV degradation issue.
It's frustrating to pay more for a 'premium" exterior finish and get one that cracks after 5 years.
I heard that Vetrolite refused to stand by their product, Winnebago dropped them as a suppler, and Winnebago will not assist in any way with the defective material.
If you have the Vetrolite option, I'd suggest storing your RV indoors or covering it.
If the degradation has already started the following may prove helpful.
Vetrolite Repair Options & Cost:
I tried sanding but even with 120 grit, the cracks did not come out or even clean up. Therefore I researched the options:
Wrap the sides (a vinyl film is placed over the sides). Custom colors, artwork or scenes are options. Minimum of $3,000 to $4,00 installed on the two sides. Concerns: possibility of start peeling or fading after a few years.
Spray urethane paint $550-750. A two component urethane paint single stage (no clear coat) such as TransStar would cost about $400 with hardener for 4 gallons. Prep and masking materials might add another $150.
Concerns: a lot of work. The paint may have adherence issues, not coer well, run, crack or fade.
Professional repair $14,000-18,000: CDI 641-585-5900. (the company that, applies the full body paint for Winnebago). CDI uses Sikkens & Sherwin Williams products. CDI has refinished Vetrolite. (They say that other brands of siding have failed too.)
CDI applies 3 heavy coats of 2k primer, sands this, then sometimes applies a sealer before the basecoat (color), then 3 coats of clearcoat before sand & buff. Cost for this type of refinish for entire RV is $14-18k.
Concerns: Cost and CDI said "The finish may later crack. The cracks in Vetrolite are likely to enlarge."
Note: CDI was very helpful and knowledgeable. From other posts, forum members have been pleased with their refinish quality and speed,
Not liking any of these options, I realized the cosmetic issue with the cracks is that the dirt makes them look terrible. Soaps & detergents didn’t work but when I applied full strength bleach I was amazed that this made them almost invisible. I applied the bleach with a small sponge to keep it off the painted parts, window frames, etc. It took about 2 hours to wash, bleach, rinse and dry one side. The bleach didn't harm the Imron painted body stripes.
Now I’ll apply PoliGlow and let you know how this solution holds up.
