Full exterior paint on Class C cost?

[Frankedj]

I am wanting to buy an older Class C 25' to 35", 80's-90's. I would like to have all bodywork done as needed and a full professional paint job on it to give it the look that I want.

All black with some chrome decal detailing. I am aware of the big black box in the sun effect and what it does to the temperature inside.

I am curious as to approximately how many thousands something like this is going to cost for the paint job.

[sjholt]

"There is a reason that good painters charge what they do"
They charge like heck so they can pay for the wife's Mercedes and a big brick house on the hill.

[fj12ryder]

There is a reason that good painters charge what they do, and why, on the main, they are also worth it. It isn't an easy job, and learning as you go is not going to give you a professional paint job. It may be good enough, but when it comes to paint jobs, quality costs money.

[Frankedj]

The roof will be white and in good condition before I put on solar panels.

If I end up doing paint myself it will have to be done the same as the professionals do it using what they use. I have a local 96 year old paint store in town that sells everything. I won't do it myself if I can't make it look perfect.

The interior will be done in Duratex which is a heavy duty tintable textured speaker cabinet coating.

[DrewE]

Please give serious thought to leaving the roof white even if the rest of the RV is black. That will help at least a little with the heating issues.

It certainly is possible to do a black or other color paint job for a lot less money, but the results may well be inferior in appearance and longevity. I've heard of some pretty nice car paint jobs done with Rustoleum and a foam paint roller. Tractor supply sells similar enamel paint in gallons at fairly reasonable prices, and also has a catalyst that can be added in that makes it harder and glossier (and faster drying). I don't know offhand how well it would stick to Filon or other typical RV exterior materials.

As with any paint job, surface preparation is a very large part in the quality of the result!

(Based on my experience with owning black cars, there is very little black road dirt in the United States of America.)

[Frankedj]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Looks like I might have to take up a new trade and teach myself the art of painting RV's. The biggest hurdle would be finding a place to do it inside as I am sure it would take me awhile for all of the prep involved.

I can't see paying 20 grand for a paint job on something that I only plan on keeping for a few years before I move up.

I am kind of stuck on the black color but would possibly do a dark grey. What the rig looks like on the outside and inside is high on my list of priorities just after electricity which is number one.

ETA: I have expanded the price range I am looking at for the Class C. Now it is $3,000.00 to $10,000.00. Another thing is that it has to have smooth siding. I don't like the corrugated siding.

[ncrowley]

$10K to $20K. Really reconsider the black paint. It is not only hot on the inside but the paint will not hold up as long because it gets so hot.

[tatest]

The option typically adds $7,000 to $10,000 to a new motorhome, but having a good job done on an old one means a lot for labor to prep an old weathered surface, so double that as a starting point.

Since most of the cost will be labor, you might get it done in Mexico for about a third of the cost of a shop doing at home.

I see suggestions for wraps, but those aren't cheap either. I've been quoted $3500 to wrap my passenger van, and it is a lot less area to wrap than my 30-foot RV.

[ArizonaRoamers]

Actually a wrap would probably much cheaper. Then same outfit could help you/ work a combo deal on your graphics.

[Allworth]

And then have the name carefully painted on:

"The Mobile Oven"

[wbwood]

A wrap would probably be cheaper

[donn0128]

Figure between 10 and 20 thousand dollars.