Resoring Dull Paintwork

[Pete Masterson]

Old paint becomes oxidized and dull. Polishing compound followed by a good waxing can bring the shine back to the paint. Polishing compound, when improperly applied can damage already thin paint, so care in application is required. Repeating wax application every six months or so (depending on storage and local weather conditions) is usually required.

Elbow grease is required in a generous dose.

Completely repainting the coach with a clear coat as a final painting step will refresh the paint. It will set you back at least $10,000 for a professional job. (The $10,000 is for a just-over-the-border shop in Mexico. A high-quality job in a US shop is likely to be much more expensive.)

As an alternative, a graphics/sign shop might be able to install a full-coach wrap. (These are what are used to make full-bus advertisements.) Most full-coach wraps will cost upwards of $10,000 to design, produce, and apply the plastic film. The claimed life is 10 years, but few wraps or large area graphics are left on that long, so that's probably just a guess by the film manufacturers. Note that advertisement on your coach may impact your insurance cost.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jan 14, 2008, at 8:19 AM, jmoorelewy wrote:

Does anyone have any advice on the best way to restore dull paintwork

on my 1982 FC 35.

I can get the shine back but it takes a lot of elbow grease, any tricks?

Justin 

1982 FC35 Distant Drums in CA