Solution to Peeling Clearcoat

Fix it can by can or pay $10,000+ for a new paint job.

That's an interesting story! Sometime mid-year, last year the clear coat started flaking off of the driver's side of our 1990 Contessa. We thought it occurred because the coach is stored in a North-to-South direction and the sunlight (UV) had finally got to it.

We appreciate your 'quick-fix' using rattle can clear coat; great idea! However, do we continue to 'fix' as other areas begin to peel or should we bite the bullet and get the whole coach re-coated professionally? What did you do for recurring problems - or did it stop?

I would probably not recommend this for a newer RV like yours. I had a mid-90s Beaver with about half of the clear-coat on one side missing. I scrubbed the paint with a scrubby sponge, making sure the edges were taken to a stable area. I then sprayed satin clear lacquer from rattle cans onto the affected area. The satin was a nice match for the weathered clear coat on the rest of the coach, and it came out looking much better. After nearly 20 years in the weather, there was not much gloss left. Total repair cost about $40.

Matt B

A common problem with Newmar motor homes. Newmar told me it was the clear coat and that they had either changed brands or the paint manufacturer had changed the instructions (cannot remember which) Either way the problem supposedly does not exist on coaches after 2009 or 2010. I tried to repair mine by lightly sanding and was going to reapply new clear coat. The color paint was so thin I could not lightly sand it without removing the color coat. I got an independent cost estimate to repaint the roof for $3000. Newmar had a special price to repaint and fix everything on the roof for $1200. I took Newmar up on their offer.

Recommend you Visit a RV Collision Clinic. Get their recommendation on treatment. It is possible to sand off the pealing clear coat and reapply clear coat if the damage is not too severe. The need to repaint is a possibility.