Fading Cap Solution with LineX?

[Benjim]

I've noticed early signs of cap fading on our coach. I've been applying Meguiars Flagship Premium wax ...three apps one day apart ...in the spring and fall. I expect the fading will worsen. I talked to LineX today who indicated they do a lot of RV caps that provide a long lasting, low maintenance solution. They can color match the finish. It's worth the $800 CDN to eliminate the waxing process. Does anyone have any experience in this possible solution?

[Benjim]

rewindgy wrote:
Okay, I didn't use Linex, but did have mine done with a bedliner type material that was sprayed on hot, then color matched with Endura epoxy paint. It looks awesome, bugs don't stick, no fading, had some tree limbs hit and drag on front in a tight campground, no scuffs or damage. And the company I used has a lifetime warranty! They use this stuff in the Oilfield, so it's gotta be tough! Cost, $750.00 + taxes Cdn. That included sanding, repairing spider cracks, epoxy coating, epoxy painting.

Thanks, very interesting. This is what LineX is claiming. Pressure washer will remove bugs, restore finish to orginal state..so they say. In addition LineX claims in the event of fading in the future, a restoration can be completed. Lifetime warranty. No need to climb a ladder to polish cap. Going to talk to LineX to consider other "decal" application options as part of their install. Much more work to do before proceed.

[B_O__Plenty]

valhalla360 wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
If you look at the boating world, most boats are white for a reason. Yes, they will fade too but it's far less noticable.

The darker the color the more fading is tough to keep up on.

Other than the decals, it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred to get the end caps painted. The decals though are the bulk of the project.

Shopped around to have mine painted. It's hard to find a shop with a big enough booth. The front cap cost $1500.00 the rear cap cost $1050.00 at a different shop 2 years later...Paint jobs are not as cheap as they used to be..

B.O.

If that included removing the decals, I can buy it.

If not, you got taken. Once the decals are off, it should be maybe 2hours to dewax and tape off (based on the OP's situation, I'm assuming no holes or cracks to repair). Spray should take 10-15min but there will be a bit of time to clean up the equipement and you probably want a couple coats, so the rig may sit in the booth for a day.

If the $1500 didn't include decal removal, that's robbery.

It did include decal removal on the front and replacing them though I supplied them. I've painted a lot of cars in my day and can't imagine you could lay on a primer sealer, then a base color coat, then a couple coats of clear in 10-15 minutes. Can't mix the paint and fill the cup in that amount of time..If I had the room I would paint the front caps all day long for $1500. each but I would expect to spend the better part of 2 days to include all the prep and spraying. Decal removal isn't much of a job if you use a 3M eraser wheel. A couple hours at the most.

[patperry2766]

body wrap

What about doing a vehicle body wrap?

[valhalla360]

B.O. Plenty wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
If you look at the boating world, most boats are white for a reason. Yes, they will fade too but it's far less noticable.

The darker the color the more fading is tough to keep up on.

Other than the decals, it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred to get the end caps painted. The decals though are the bulk of the project.

Shopped around to have mine painted. It's hard to find a shop with a big enough booth. The front cap cost $1500.00 the rear cap cost $1050.00 at a different shop 2 years later...Paint jobs are not as cheap as they used to be..

B.O.

If that included removing the decals, I can buy it.

If not, you got taken. Once the decals are off, it should be maybe 2hours to dewax and tape off (based on the OP's situation, I'm assuming no holes or cracks to repair). Spray should take 10-15min but there will be a bit of time to clean up the equipement and you probably want a couple coats, so the rig may sit in the booth for a day.

If the $1500 didn't include decal removal, that's robbery.

[rewindgy]

Okay, I didn't use Linex, but did have mine done with a bedliner type material that was sprayed on hot, then color matched with Endura epoxy paint. It looks awesome, bugs don't stick, no fading, had some tree limbs hit and drag on front in a tight campground, no scuffs or damage. And the company I used has a lifetime warranty! They use this stuff in the Oilfield, so it's gotta be tough! Cost, $750.00 + taxes Cdn. That included sanding, repairing spider cracks, epoxy coating, epoxy painting.

[B_O__Plenty]

valhalla360 wrote:
If you look at the boating world, most boats are white for a reason. Yes, they will fade too but it's far less noticable.

The darker the color the more fading is tough to keep up on.

Other than the decals, it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred to get the end caps painted. The decals though are the bulk of the project.

Shopped around to have mine painted. It's hard to find a shop with a big enough booth. The front cap cost $1500.00 the rear cap cost $1050.00 at a different shop 2 years later...Paint jobs are not as cheap as they used to be..

B.O.

[Benjim]

Thanks for all the responses. Some very good observations. My investigation will continue. I've also read that the success of LineX is very much linked to the applicators experience. I will update this thread when I gather more info.

[Hondavalk]

Saw this on another forum
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/truck-bed-spray-on-liner-instead-of-bra-220526.html

[valhalla360]

If you look at the boating world, most boats are white for a reason. Yes, they will fade too but it's far less noticable.

The darker the color the more fading is tough to keep up on.

Other than the decals, it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred to get the end caps painted. The decals though are the bulk of the project.

[B_O__Plenty]

Line X would look terrible. I can't imagine they do "a lot of them" Sounds like a sales pitch to me. What if it fades? I've seen plenty of bed liners fade. Then you have an even worse mess. My front and rear gel coated caps faded (gray) had both painted with a base/coat clear/coat automotive type finish. They now look great and are holding up well. I have the same finish many of the new trailers now have. Buffing and waxing don't work for long, either does Zep.

B.O.

[deltabravo]

LineX, or any bed line coating on the front cap will look really bad once you take a few trips and the surface gets covered in bugs, which will be very difficult to get clean.

[goducks10]

ford truck guy wrote:
When I was looking to purchase our most recent Fifth Wheel.. I was not looking for anything with a "color infused gelcoat" cap" ..No matter the brand , if it is a dark color and gelcoat it will fade at some point.. There are a lot of manufacturers that now offer automotive paint on the front and rear caps , so no need to get the full body paint . .

x2. My brown cap is fading. Started less than two years of ownership. Unfortunately it only had a 1 yr warranty. I will take a look at the same company when looking to buy again. BUT! they'll have to improve the cap longevity before I purchase from them. The rest of the 5th wheel is great, but like you said there's too many out there that have a painted cap that are as trouble free as my current one.

[LinkedXJ]

LineX blows.

I spray bedliner for a living.
Dont do it.



Well..do what you want, but LineX is not a good product. I cant imagine it lasting long in such a location on an RV.
The stuff fades extremely fast it seems also, and thats with it in a bed.

[ford_truck_guy]

When I was looking to purchase our most recent Fifth Wheel.. I was not looking for anything with a "color infused gelcoat" cap" ..No matter the brand , if it is a dark color and gelcoat it will fade at some point.. There are a lot of manufacturers that now offer automotive paint on the front and rear caps , so no need to get the full body paint . .