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kahoona's avatar
kahoona
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2015

Exterior DIY overhaul Photos for 2002 Coachmen Mirada

Hi
I have spent the last two months out in the S> FL sun making a number of repairs and updates to our 2002 Coachmen Mirada. It suffered from a number of age related problems and a some light collision damage.
I replaced the backup monitor with a larger LCD unit and color camera, adapting the new 5 wire setup to work with the old 4 wire one.
I replaced the deceased 3 to 5 year old solar panels with a new 100w panel and regulator. The 4 old ones were all 15w and produced no current at all. The new one cost far less than they had.
I repaired the airbox on our 4k onan genset. It was originally held together by post welds that came apart. Attempts to order a replacement using the model and serial number had failed so I drilled them out, added screws and bolts and a coating of epoxy glue where needed.
I repaired the body where a minor impact made me notice the serious declamation and rot in one area.







When I saw how much better the new paint looked I had to go all of the way around. Then I decided to clear coat.











The old logos were getting really worn off so we removed them. I had some made in vinyl. They are in the mail now.



I did the upper part with Zep high traffic floor polish. It looks great but will probably only last a year. Then I will clear coat it properly.
When I tightened the bolts that held the hood on I found that the wood sections imbedded in the hood had rotted away so I filled the spaces with foam and then poured fiberglass and epoxy glue plugs to hold new bolts.











It looks pretty good now but I am sure that plenty more will go wrong soon enough!
There are more photos here
http://s875.photobucket.com/user/RalphaRoni/RV%20Hood%20repair/story
And here
http://s875.photobucket.com/user/RalphaRoni/RV%20paint%20job/story

And the entire story is posted here
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/poor-mans-paint-and-body-repair-job-253649.html
and in other places on that site.

Have fun everyone and keep it shiny!

4 Replies

  • westend wrote:
    Nice work!
    Are you spraying with the C/H compressor?

    Yes. It's a $30 yard sale find and only needed a belt tightening and a new drain valve to work. Here in S. FL we have up to 90% humidity and it took me a while to get it to work right. The compressor heats up the air going in to it so it holds its moisture. A filter and trap mounted on the compressor won't take out the water. It needs to be large and mounted near the hose end so I have the water trap ten feet from the hose end. The pressure valve and a dust/water filter are mounted at the very end of the hose. It works very nicely.
  • Looks great.
    Fiberglass work is slow and sometimes aggravating.
    With the right tools and taking your time is works well.
    Very good on the repaint.
  • kahoona wrote:
    Hi
    I have spent the last two months out in the S> FL sun making a number of repairs and updates to our 2002 Coachmen Mirada. It suffered from a number of age related problems and a some light collision damage.
    I replaced the backup monitor with a larger LCD unit and color camera, adapting the new 5 wire setup to work with the old 4 wire one.
    I replaced the deceased 3 to 5 year old solar panels with a new 100w panel and regulator. The 4 old ones were all 15w and produced no current at all. The new one cost far less than they had.
    I repaired the airbox on our 4k onan genset. It was originally held together by post welds that came apart. Attempts to order a replacement using the model and serial number had failed so I drilled them out, added screws and bolts and a coating of epoxy glue where needed.
    I repaired the body where a minor impact made me notice the serious declamation and rot in one area.







    When I saw how much better the new paint looked I had to go all of the way around. Then I decided to clear coat.











    The old logos were getting really worn off so we removed them. I had some made in vinyl. They are in the mail now.



    I did the upper part with Zep high traffic floor polish. It looks great but will probably only last a year. Then I will clear coat it properly.
    When I tightened the bolts that held the hood on I found that the wood sections imbedded in the hood had rotted away so I filled the spaces with foam and then poured fiberglass and epoxy glue plugs to hold new bolts.











    It looks pretty good now but I am sure that plenty more will go wrong soon enough!
    There are more photos here
    http://s875.photobucket.com/user/RalphaRoni/RV%20Hood%20repair/story
    And here
    http://s875.photobucket.com/user/RalphaRoni/RV%20paint%20job/story

    And the entire story is posted here
    http://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/poor-mans-paint-and-body-repair-job-253649.html
    and in other places on that site.

    Have fun everyone and keep it shiny!

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