Full body paint....worth it?

[gtsum]

After searching and looking for the better part of a year, it is time to order our rig (2015 XLR Thunderbolt 340x12hp toy hauler). The rig will be outside 365 days of the year,unless I can stumble upon a covered storage center for the winter (have not had any luck finding any though). We will use it during weekends and 1-2 big trips per summer.

The upgraded packagewith painted front cap and upgraded graphics is nice, but the full body paint is something altogether more appealing to us. I think it is about 7k upgrade for the FBP......so, for those that have it, is it worth it? Would you do it again? Aside from the better looks, am I correct in guessing it will hold up better (appearance wise) to the sun and elements vs stickers? Someone told me the stickers and graphics will likely fade and wear quickly...true?

[Lantley]

You do not have to have FBP to have a good clear coat finish. In 2012 when I purchased my rig the difference between the Open Range and the Open Range Roamer line was the finish.
Both lines had the same grey color scheme but the OR line has a clear coat finish the roamer did not. Otherwise the lines were basically identical.
I do not have FBP but I do have a nice GEL Coat finish that still looks new after a wax job.
Had I been really smart I would have deleted all the decals and had a gray stealth unit!
While my decals still look good in time the decals are what I fear will fade.
OR did offer the FBP option for $6K on models made after my 2012.
The FBP models were interesting and I know a buddy that has one, but I do not wish I had a FBP model. I am happy with my gel coat finish and standard gray paint scheme

[jaycocamper6230]

I got the FBP on my Cedar Creek and would do it again. Clear coated like the truck that's pulling it. Without digging out the papers I think mine was a $5500 upgrade. Then again I never buy at retail. I like nice things and when I go to sell I sell nice things. I'll see how you guy's 10 year old peel and stick rigs are selling in 2025. Stay tune...

[Dayle1]

I haven't had any problems with decals fading and I live in Tx. Kept the last fiver for 7 yrs and this one is over 4 yrs old. And we use our rig year round, camping between 120 and 180 days per year. For a unit that will be in storage more than in use, I wouldn't spend the extra money just to make the storage yard appear more upscale. If the TH will have gel-gloss fiberglas, then upkeep is minimal and FBP probably won't reduce maintenance time/cost. Roof, trim, windows and caulk will require the same effort, same with appliances, slides and running gear. I'd make the rig safer with disc brakes for a lot less money.

[Cummins12V98]

Dutch & Di wrote:
We have an older Carriage that we love and just couldn't find anything out there that we liked better so in 2010 we took her in and did full body paint including decals. I should add that our prepainted Carriage still looked good but 19 years of being outside did dull the finish and we replaced the decals once and they were starting to go again. While at it, we updated the interior, like rugs, reupholstering the couch and kitchen chairs and new countertop.
Why we did full body paint?
No more peeling decals to worry about
Much easier to keep clean with 3 coats of clear.
Only requires waxing once a year but yes the front end cap twice a year.

For us painting is not lipstick. We have always had great looking things and our RV is no different for us. Being fulltimers, this is our home and I want it to look great like our stix N bricks homes did.

For us it was well worth the money spent to do the job. IF I were buying a new RV, full body paint would be the 1st thing on the list.
Hugs, Di

I have seen their RV, it's absolutely beautiful!!!!

[FlatBroke]

Do I wish mine had it? Yep. Spend $7000 for it? HE!! NO!

[Dutch___Di]

We have an older Carriage that we love and just couldn't find anything out there that we liked better so in 2010 we took her in and did full body paint including decals. I should add that our prepainted Carriage still looked good but 19 years of being outside did dull the finish and we replaced the decals once and they were starting to go again. While at it, we updated the interior, like rugs, reupholstering the couch and kitchen chairs and new countertop.
Why we did full body paint?
No more peeling decals to worry about
Much easier to keep clean with 3 coats of clear.
Only requires waxing once a year but yes the front end cap twice a year.

For us painting is not lipstick. We have always had great looking things and our RV is no different for us. Being fulltimers, this is our home and I want it to look great like our stix N bricks homes did.

For us it was well worth the money spent to do the job. IF I were buying a new RV, full body paint would be the 1st thing on the list.
Hugs, Di

[Veebyes]

gtsum wrote:
Wax and polish every 3 months???? I would of thought once per year?

I don't mind putting the effort into maintenance but waxing 3 times a year simply is not going to happen.

If it needs waxing 3 times a year a change of product used needs to be considered. The front cap gets done twice a year but the whole thing only once.

[Ford_Man]

gtsum wrote:
Wax and polish every 3 months???? I would of thought once per year?

Yes you put that much money into something I take care of it.

[richfaa]

Depends... FBP is easier to take care of. It solves the peeling decals problem. It looks pretty. It depends on the quality of the paint job. Painting gel coat is not the same as painting a car or truck. We do have FBP. Would not do it again.

[gtsum]

Wax and polish every 3 months???? I would of thought once per year?

[Ford_Man]

I just traded this weekend my 2013 Landmark Full Body Paint for a Montana with painted front and rear caps. Mine sets outside 365 as well. The full body paint was alot of work keeping it waxed or polished about every 3 months or so. IMO it is not worth $6000 actual cost.

[Cummins12V98]

wing_zealot wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
Comparing to boats is difficult. Weight is not much of an issue for boats & they do live in a much harsher enviroment, many of them being inwater fulltime. Gelcoat in boats is usually much thicker. If the boat is painted the owner will usually specify a marine grade paint sunch as Aulgrip or Emron, expensive heavy stuff that lasts a long long time.

IMO painting a RV is worth it. If you don't care what your rig looks like it will show when the time comes to sell. Looking good adds thousands to the value in the buyers eyes.

I would disagree with this. You will never recoup that $7,000.00 dollars on a resale. All else being equal, Given a rig with FBP or one with a nice wax job and a $7,000.00 savings, which one would you buy?

The 7K paint job will be depreciated just like the rest of the RV over time. So on a used rig the paint will cost even less and be more of a bargain.

[wing_zealot]

Veebyes wrote:
Comparing to boats is difficult. Weight is not much of an issue for boats & they do live in a much harsher enviroment, many of them being inwater fulltime. Gelcoat in boats is usually much thicker. If the boat is painted the owner will usually specify a marine grade paint sunch as Aulgrip or Emron, expensive heavy stuff that lasts a long long time.

IMO painting a RV is worth it. If you don't care what your rig looks like it will show when the time comes to sell. Looking good adds thousands to the value in the buyers eyes.

I would disagree with this. You will never recoup that $7,000.00 dollars on a resale. All else being equal, Given a rig with FBP or one with a nice wax job and a $7,000.00 savings, which one would you buy?

[Mile_High]

Love our paint in both looks and upkeep as well as maybe resale. We store indoors so not sure on longevity.

One downside is any repair or maintenance could involve paint. Installed a dryer, vent needs painted to match. Cracked a fender, replacement needs painted. Any new caulking is on top of paint, etc., but I would do it again!

[gtsum]

justme wrote:
Is it worth it? It depends on the quality of paint job and how many clear coats are used. Many RV mfgs. are prone to cut corners so watch out......

This would be a 2015 xlr thunderbolt...hope they do a good job with nice clear coat??