Paint Travel Trailer?

[Templbi]

I have a 2002 Coachman TT. Its in great shape but the paint is fading really bad. Ive looked online and different wax options to bring back the shine but I cant seem to find someone thats giving an unbiased opinion.

So I am asking you guys your thoughts.

Should I repaint my TT? I seen a video on Youtube using Rustoleum. It looked a lot better than it started. I know this isnt professional by any standards but if I could get it to look a lot better than it currently does I would chalk it up as a win.

Anyone have any experience doing this? The decals are peeling off and sun faded.. So maybe paint and new decals (if I can find them).

Here is the link to one of the videos I am refering to. http://youtu.be/wXC01JHjOFIhttp://youtu.be/wXC01JHjOFI

I think buying the product in a can would be better in my situation my TT is 26 ft, spray cans would cost to much.

Maybe even get a gravity paint gun a cheap one to apply it?

Thanks in advance guys!!

[westend]

Templbi wrote:
Westend,
I would be completely happy with that kind of finished job. How long ago did you do it? Does is still look as good?

Did you paint over the existing layer of paint or strip it to the aluminum?

Apx how much did you spend $$ wise on the job?

Thanks for the pictures thats awesome!!

he "Hilton" was painted 07/12/12. It looks like the day I sprayed it.

I tried to leave as much of the original paint on as possible. The bottom 2/3 of the siding had been repainted by a previous owner (didn't like the factory wood grain look, I guess). I removed any paint that wasn't sound and had bad adhesion. In total, 5 sq. ft. of siding was sanded to bare metal.

Cost was about $250, total. The DTM primer was the largest single expense but I know that material expense should not be in any way considered if you want a good paint job. Get what works. There is little reason to suffer the costs of auto paint on aluminum siding unless you're a purist.

You can see the "before" pictures of the Hilton by clicking on the build thread in my signature line. They are on the first page. The painting procedure starts on Page 29.

[wrenchbender]

I repainted my old Shasta in 1983, and added 1" of foam to the roof. Turned out great, used white automotive paint on the body and a metallic epoxy paint for trim.2 coats of roof paint, sealed it till I sold it 12yrs ago.

[Bucky1320]

I have considered going the Rustolium route. I wondered about the basement door piano hinges. They are painted now, but I am afraid of what may happen if I try to paint over them.
I have an airless sprayer. I wonder if that would do a good job with thinned rustolium.

[tatest]

Templbi wrote:
Tatest, do you have any links on the vinyl you are talking about.. Im not looking for the cheapest route but dont want to put more in the paint than the trailer is worth..

Thanks for the quick reply!

Not on RVs, was talking about what is now done instead of repainting siding on houses.

[gmw_photos]

westend wrote:
Yeah, a complete paint job is a long process, time spent on preparing the surface to be painted is 90% of the work. Aluminum can be especially tricky as it oxidises immediately when bare and exposed to air. I did paint my aluminum sided trailer and am happy with the results. Materials used were: Jasco TSP substitute for cleaning, Sherwin Williams Industrial DTM primer, Sherwin Williams Exterior latex Super paint, Rustoleum spray for accent stripes. The primer and body paint were applied with an airless sprayer, using a fine tip.

I love it ! It's great to see someone put the effort into something like this, so you end up with a great looking camper without busting the budget. Well done.

[Templbi]

Westend,
I would be completely happy with that kind of finished job. How long ago did you do it? Does is still look as good?

Did you paint over the existing layer of paint or strip it to the aluminum?

Apx how much did you spend $$ wise on the job?

Thanks for the pictures thats awesome!!

[Rascally_Road_W]

westend wrote:
Yeah, a complete paint job is a long process, time spent on preparing the surface to be painted is 90% of the work. Aluminum can be especially tricky as it oxidises immediately when bare and exposed to air. I did paint my aluminum sided trailer and am happy with the results. Materials used were: Jasco TSP substitute for cleaning, Sherwin Williams Industrial DTM primer, Sherwin Williams Exterior latex Super paint, Rustoleum spray for accent stripes. The primer and body paint were applied with an airless sprayer, using a fine tip.

This is your finished product pictured here? If so, very nice... looks great.

[WandaLust2]

Templbi wrote:
I have a 2002 Coachman TT. Its in great shape but the paint is fading really bad. Ive looked online and different wax options to bring back the shine but I cant seem to find someone thats giving an unbiased opinion.

I know I'll be tarred and feathered for this, but NONE of the waxes work when the surface is dull and faded. Well, maybe if you have the money to hire 10 gorillas to put on and buff 20 coats. We've given up trying to get our old Class-C looking better. It's fiberglass - nothing worked.

[westend]

Yeah, a complete paint job is a long process, time spent on preparing the surface to be painted is 90% of the work. Aluminum can be especially tricky as it oxidises immediately when bare and exposed to air. I did paint my aluminum sided trailer and am happy with the results. Materials used were: Jasco TSP substitute for cleaning, Sherwin Williams Industrial DTM primer, Sherwin Williams Exterior latex Super paint, Rustoleum spray for accent stripes. The primer and body paint were applied with an airless sprayer, using a fine tip.

[Rascally_Road_W]

These units don't have a very thick layer of paint to begin with, in fact as far as I know, this is only what is called a first stage paint, meaning that there's no clear coat protection on them. With that in mind, I would first try Meguiar's Flagship Premium Cleaner/Wax. This is a great product and use it as a top finish product on many oxidized RVs that I detail.

Try using the least aggressive first. As far as the graphics, remove them with a heat gun, and head down to your local sign shop for some ideas.

[SprinklerMan]

I paint my work trucks with rustoleum oil based enamel , I always use white . I mix it with mineral spirits to thin it out , and I spray with a harbor freight gun . They come out good , the shine last about 3 years and it flattens out a bit . I only paint them spring or fall , low humidity , 75 to 80 degrees , and it takes about 3 tac coats and last is finish coat. They are 50/50 paint jobs , they look great from 50 ft or 50 mph. Graphics , go to a sign shop and have some fun designing your own .

[Kemahsabe]

My 2000 Prowler has terrible paint and decals. As a capable do-it-yourselfer I decided to start by repainting just the front end using spray cans. I stripped it down to the bare aluminum and carefully applied the paint per the directions. Looked great for a few months then started to peel. Did it again using a self-etching aluminum primer and different paint. A year later it's peeling again.

The lesson here is: Don't strip it down to the bare aluminum. Use the baked on factory finish as your base.

[gmw_photos]

Templbi wrote:
Hahaha A wide variety of comments. Some funny ones as well I love it. Well my siding is aluminum, the interlocking pieces. You can see it on my profile. I agree not looking for car show quality, but paint is permanent, if it looks horrible, I cant undo it lol.

You can undo anything ! If you want to spray it, I'd go to harbor freight and buy an inexpensive paint gun and run it off your compressor.

[popeyemth]

Don't do it.
To keep it from looking "horrible " will require an unbelievable amount of prep or it won't last a year and a good quality auto paint and the prep material will easy run $750 for a camper that size.
ANY traces of silicone and the paint will literally blow off in the wind .
If you do a really good job and don't go cheap on paint the value won't drop too bad after you paint it.
Save your time and trouble and go camping.
JMHO