clear coat flaking off roof edge panels

[katoomer]

A couple months ago I noticed the clear coat peeling or flaking off in a half dozen or so spots on the radiused roof edge panels on our coach. Always in the middle of the panel, never near the edge and only on a horizontal area not vertical. I can actually peel it off with my fingernail. Coach has been winter stored under cover for the first 4 yrs. and had a cover for the last 2 winters. Always kept clean and waxed twice a year. Local body shop that I trust
says it it caused by poor adhesion when originally painted. If it was from cover rubbing on the paint I should not be able to scratch it off with my fingernail so please don't suggest that. I also noticed a soft spot in the middle of one panel in the fibreglass to the point that I could poke a hole in it with my finger if I pushed hard enough (poor fibreglass work). I'm hoping to do a bit of touch up with spray clear in affected areas only with the hope of stopping any further progression. Has anyone else had this problem with their Newmars?
Lucky for Newmar it didn't appear until long after my warranty expired (not lucky for me).

[Tom_Barb]

The STCs for upgrading the fabric to Ceoconite requires the system to be applied as per the installation instructions which have the materials listed. They do not include a three stage automotive paints. And that is what Clear coat systems are (three stage). the all aluminum aircraft can use any system they like, but adding the third coat of clear coat is heavy. most do not use it.

I have refinished our Newmar in several places, the company gave the paint info as a Sherman Williams numbers and we used S&W two stage no clear coat. It looks better and will last as long as any three stage.

[rgatijnet1]

Tom/Barb wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

"Most modern car finishes consist of a base coating that contains the color, topped with a protective clear coat that is designed to keep the pigmented paint from oxidizing. .

I have 3 different clear coats in my paint locker, from different manufacturers none say any thing about UV protection.

Here is one manufacturer of aircraft paint that has clearcoats that mention UV protection. Endura Paints
Then there is also the Sherwin Williams AcryGlo paint system for general aviation that comes in solid or base coat/clear coat metallics that offer UV protection. AcryGlo paint system



WE paint aircraft almost every month or two. most applications are URA products and have no requirements for a clear coat.

Clear coat is used when you do not want to feel the line on a different color stripe. It provides a smoother surface that some people, including me, want. The same goes for my RV. I have painted stripes on my RV and the clear coat levels out the paint surface so that when you rub your hand over it, it feels smooth. Both of my planes had stripes and I wanted a smooth final finish when I painted them.
The Sherwin Williams SKYscapes paint system is also a base-coat clear coat system for aircraft.

Obviously a base-coat clear coat paint on an aircraft or an RV will cost more and take more time but in my opinion it provides a better final finish and better protection from the elements.

[Tom_Barb]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

"Most modern car finishes consist of a base coating that contains the color, topped with a protective clear coat that is designed to keep the pigmented paint from oxidizing. .

I have 3 different clear coats in my paint locker, from different manufacturers none say any thing about UV protection.

WE paint aircraft almost every month or two. most applications are URA products and have no requirements for a clear coat.

Simply remove ay loose clear coat, buff and wax. that is all that is needed to re-new the finish.

Clear coat was invented to insure a wet look finish with out color sanding and polishing.

[rgatijnet1]

Tom/Barb wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:


House of Color urethane clear

I guess if they have any, they have more than any other.

Actually I don't know of any high quality automotive clear finish that does not offer UV protection, whether water base or polyurethane. Here is another link and a quote from this site:
"Most modern car finishes consist of a base coating that contains the color, topped with a protective clear coat that is designed to keep the pigmented paint from oxidizing. This outer clear coat adds UV protection that helps prevent the sun's rays from drying out the base paint." Clear coat finishes
Any of the clear coat finishes from the past would yellow after just a few years out in the sun. I used Dupont Imron on my airplane that sat out in the Florida sun for several years with no fading or oxidation of the clear coat.

[Tom_Barb]

rgatijnet1 wrote:


House of Color urethane clear

I guess if they have any, they have more than any other.

[Cloud_Dancer]

Mine started (same problem) 4 to 5 years after brand new.
I also had a serious roof problem that started 2-1/2 years after brand new (within 3 year bumper-to-bumper warranty). Newmar said it was my fault.

But, on the roof paint problem, a paint expert told me that the factory should've used the same paint procedures that they used on the side walls.

[rgatijnet1]

Tom/Barb wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
The bad thing is that your clear coat contains the most UV protection

Do you have a reference for that statement?

I've never seen any paint manufacturer make that claim.

House of Color urethane clear

[Tom_Barb]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
The bad thing is that your clear coat contains the most UV protection

Do you have a reference for that statement?

I've never seen any paint manufacturer make that claim.

[katoomer]

Thanks for all the quick responses. My body shop recommended that I sand lightly and polish it with a polishing compound. I'll try that for starters

[Bruce_Brown]

I'm even seeing this issue showing up on cars now too, usually the darker colors.

As far as not being able to apply the clear quick enough, the base coat I use gives you 24 hours to clear it before needing any extra prep work.

Having said that, I'm sure in a production facility they're using a more environmentally friendly paint, which certainly creates an entirely different set of issues - as seen here.

[rgatijnet1]

The clear coat peeling is not unique to any brand of RV. It is caused by not using enough painters applying the clear coat to be able to apply it before the base coat has set up. To aggravate this, the clear coat is not put on evenly and it is common for the clear coat to be applied too thin in some areas, especially on flat panels.
It is a paint application problem rather than a paint problem. The bad thing is that your clear coat contains the most UV protection and when it is applied too thin, the base coat does not get the protection that it should have.
The only permanent solution is to sand it all down and apply the paint properly.
They do make gauges to check the paint thickness that can be used to tell if the clear coat has been applied properly all over the RV. It is something you cannot tell by looking at the coach and unless you accurately measure the paint thickness before taking delivery you will have no recourse when the paint fails a few years down the road. Even a poor paint job will last for a couple of years, or well past the warranty time frame.

[s_N_s]

It's an ongoing problem with a lot of coaches that I have seen. Ours has the same problem. It's been painted once by the factory already and is peeling again. The quoted me $3300 to re-paint it. Mike's Custom Painting in IN quoted me $1875. I just haven't had the opportunity to get to there location to get it done. Newmars excuse to me was I didn't wax it enough. Yeah right. :R Mike's site is www.mikescustompaintinginc.com I've corresponded with Livia.

[byronlj]

I don't have a Newmar, but my front cap which is painted and clear coated, is peeling like yours. It is occurring right at the transition of where I quit waxing. I lightly sanded mine smooth and applied several clear coats. I am going to apply wax over this tomorrow. Luckily this is occurring on the top horizontal surface where it is not noticeable from the ground. I will have to keep an eye on it and see if my cheap fix works.
Dave

[Tom_Barb]

Our Newmar is 15 years old, and yes we have peeling clear coat, All I do is pressure wash the spot, get all the loose stuff off and buff the area with a buffer and #1 polishing rouge, wax and leave it alone.

You can't tell where we have clear coat and where we don't

[Pangaea_Ron]

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