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pchartrand's avatar
pchartrand
Explorer II
May 13, 2016

Faded Front Cap - Another Story

Like many my brown front cap started to fade badly and I was to far past my warranty for Keystone to help me. Ended up taking it to a body shop and they were able to buff out all the fading and then applied 3 coats of UV blocking clear coat. The original decals are still there, and the clear coat was applied right over the decals after they were cleaned and buffed as well. Very happy with how it looks and I'm hoping it last. Cost was just under $400

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After
  • timmac's avatar
    timmac
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    $400.00 to buff it out and apply 3 coats of clear coat, what a bargain, here in Vegas we pay that just have our RV washed and waxed..
  • Jebster's avatar
    Jebster
    Explorer
    May 14, 2016
    Did you go to a regular auto body shop? I have been getting quotes from RV dealers who do body work of well over $3000 to redo the whole front cap and the fade on mine isn't anywhere near what you had. I did get Keystone to pony up $1500 toward the cost, and yes, mine is out of warranty.
  • pchartrand's avatar
    pchartrand
    Explorer II
    May 14, 2016
    Jebster wrote:
    Did you go to a regular auto body shop? I have been getting quotes from RV dealers who do body work of well over $3000 to redo the whole front cap and the fade on mine isn't anywhere near what you had. I did get Keystone to pony up $1500 toward the cost, and yes, mine is out of warranty.


    The work was done at Quincy Collision in Quincy Michigan. Prior to shopping around I was looking at $2300 to $2500 to have it sanded, painted and clear coat. Then an additional $340 to $380 to purchase a new decal Kit from local dealers. So I see how you can get the $3000 you talk about.
  • redticket's avatar
    redticket
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2016
    pchartrand wrote:
    Jebster wrote:
    Did you go to a regular auto body shop? I have been getting quotes from RV dealers who do body work of well over $3000 to redo the whole front cap and the fade on mine isn't anywhere near what you had. I did get Keystone to pony up $1500 toward the cost, and yes, mine is out of warranty.


    The work was done at Quincy Collision in Quincy Michigan. Prior to shopping around I was looking at $2300 to $2500 to have it sanded, painted and clear coat. Then an additional $340 to $380 to purchase a new decal Kit from local dealers. So I see how you can get the $3000 you talk about.


    pchartrand .... I private messaged you... Thanks!
  • 4Kellys's avatar
    4Kellys
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2016
    We have a similar problem on our 2016 Wind River. We have had it only 4 months. It has a build date of 4/15 so it has been exposed to the elements for 15 months. The front cap along with the propane tanks cover is fading though not as bad as the one pictured. The factory(Outdoors RV) sent the dealer a fix which they tried on the propane cover but the Service Manager said it didn't work. We have talked to the factory and they are willing to replace the front cap if we bring it to them which we will do on our way to Yellowstone in September. They say they will reimburse our expenses which works for us.
  • 4Kellys's avatar
    4Kellys
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2016
    I've heard that the problem with doing it more than once is each time some of the gel coat gets removed by cut sanding. My last RV before the Wind River, a 2004 Itasca Horizon, was 6 or 7 years before the top of the front cap started to fade. Go figure!
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2016
    the problem with doing it more than once is each time some of the gel coat gets removed by cut sanding
    That's true, material is removed but not enough that you would worry about it. The process involves rubbing compounds and the top, oxidized layer is very thin.

    The advance of UV resistant clear coats is a boon for vehicles and RV's. The finish holds the body paint color for many years. I know there have been some gel coat advances as well. Keystone's issues with the front caps is unknown to me. Has anyone gotten an explanation from Keystone about the cause of the sudden cap fading?
  • Buddy8's avatar
    Buddy8
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2020
    pchartrand wrote:
    Like many my brown front cap started to fade badly and I was to far past my warranty for Keystone to help me. Ended up taking it to a body shop and they were able to buff out all the fading and then applied 3 coats of UV blocking clear coat. The original decals are still there, and the clear coat was applied right over the decals after they were cleaned and buffed as well. Very happy with how it looks and I'm hoping it last. Cost was just under $400

    Hi there, how is this holding up? Is it weird that they went over the decals any issues around the edges or anything? Did they strip the sealant where cap meets sides and the roof and then reapply that sealant?

    I'm trying to find a body shop, curious if you have any tips, I'm in the RI area.

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