Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: Dave M (RIP) on October 19, 2010, 04:07:28 pm

Title: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 19, 2010, 04:07:28 pm
Have been checking around for the full body paint for my 01, 35 ' coach.
Find the prices are all over from $8k in Fl to $18K at Nac.
Think another high quality shop in Ohio, Star Jet (Columbus Oh.) has a huge following and will do the high class job for $13K.
Question simply is; is Xtreme worth the $18K ? 
I need logical input on this subject.
Thanks
Dave
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Rudy on October 19, 2010, 04:50:35 pm
Dave,

You bet it is.

James removes all windows, except windshield, awnings, mirrors and caulk.  He uses the Glazrit paint system and primers which will include double clearcoat.  Dings and blemishs in the surface are repaired.

James will take a digital picture of your coach and will work with you to design the graphics which will show where the windows and openings in the coach are and how the graphics cross said openings.  You can move graphics around to suit your taste.  Finally, a paint panel of your choice of colors will be given to you so you can see in all lighting situations how your colors are going to look, not just on the computer.

There is much more technical info on what all goes into an Xtreme paint job so call James and hear it from the source.

In short, a lot goes into an Xtreme paint job that can not be seen.  And a lot goes into an Xtreme paint job that users of other vendors parked next to an Xtreme paint job could really, really see.

All the best in your choice.
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 19, 2010, 06:01:09 pm
Rudy, Many thanks for your thoughts on the Xtreme paint quality,  I do have experience with the Star Jet shop in Ohio, they are known for the high end bus conversion paint jobs for many years.  Got to know them when  I was into the MCI conversion coach.
Hoping maybe someone has some experience with Star Jet besides me and will chime in.
The cost difference between the two is not great, takes about the same time 4 weeks.
I am just snooping around at this point, trying to get it done this fall, and Xtreme is tied up until Feb.

Again Thanks
Dave
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Tim Fiedler on October 19, 2010, 06:06:15 pm
Xtreme tied up till Feb says it all.  There is a noticeable difference. My coach has someone else's FBP on it, ans sitting in his lot you can really see the difference.  Wish I had an  Xtreme paint job.
 
I have had work done on three different occasion (including this week....don't ask), and have been thrilled
 
This week, body work, roof paint, taillight conversion
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 19, 2010, 06:14:43 pm
Tim, I read others talking about the roof paint, Hope you can tell me more about the reason for repainting it.  Is it a leaking issue or what ?
Thanks
Dave
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Tim Fiedler on October 19, 2010, 06:20:08 pm
Dave
 
Why paint the roof -
 
The non skid pad collects heat and  eventually hurts the roof - gets removed, repaired and painted
We have numerous small cracks in the gel coat that could become leaks in the future
I have a slight leak in the front of the coach which has been difficult to fix
Some coaches have roof delamination, this is an opportunity to address.
Looks better - (who sees it....)
Non Skid surface added during painting - safer if you are up there Value ($1,200 I think is what I was quoted - seems cheap compared to work involved)
 
Because I love to upgrade my coach so I keep it and don't trade up
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: George Stoltz on October 19, 2010, 07:01:12 pm
Xtreme painted our roof.  I agree with what Tim said.  And I feel a lot more sure-footed when I am up there.  And, no more cracks for potential leaks.

We also have an Xtreme FBP.  You get what you pay for. 
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave Head on October 19, 2010, 07:07:13 pm
To me there is no question. Xtreme's work uses the best Sikkens paints - better than the factory. James work could be considered art. And he set up the factory paint shop. He knows exactly how a Foretravel needs to be painted.
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: amos.harrison on October 19, 2010, 09:00:44 pm
Dave,

My principal reason for having my roof painted was to eliminate the white streaking caused the oxidation of the original gel coat.  The darker your FBP, the more noticable the chalking effect will be.
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: John S on October 19, 2010, 10:04:18 pm
Also, James is one of the few authorized Prevost Paint Centers in the country. He can does paint Prevosts and is one of the few certified to do so by them.

His work is perfection. I have seen the coaches as they are finished and the work is amazing. You can tell the difference when you put them side by side. In fact if you put a standard FT paint job and his next to each other you will see the difference as well.
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 20, 2010, 12:47:10 pm
I thank everyone for their view, however maybe I got the cart in front of the horse because I might be having the delamination issue going on, the front of the slide is showing a concave, where if using a straight edge from top to bottom, there is approx. 3.4" concave issue.
Being uneducated in the delamination world, Feel that is first order of business. THEN to the paint issue.
A never ending joy. :))  Sure not complaining, good stuff takes some TLC, mine is getting close to the time for some TLC.
Not like trying to keep up with SOB's that you never catch up with. :(

Cheers
Dave
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Tim Fiedler on October 20, 2010, 12:49:10 pm
Get it fixed at time of paint - will save you $$$$
 
Tim
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 20, 2010, 01:53:39 pm
Tim,
Fully agree, Just like taking the airplane in for the annual inspection :))

Have taken two pix of it, not as bad as originally felt, but still needs attention.
Appears to be about 3/16" Max concave when using a straight edge, just looks a lot worse.

For some reason I was thinking when the delamination showed, it was convex and rubbed on the opening.

No sense in painting THEN do the delamination routine..
Never a dull day.
Very IFR here today
Dave
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Tim Fiedler on October 20, 2010, 02:04:47 pm
Had delam on my 1999 U-270 in area of Dryer vent- Xtreme made it look like new - wasn't all that bad $$$ wise.  Might get James to "throw in" with a
FBP
 
The 1999 36' U-320 on the MOT web site has my favorite FT FBP - the "bird" design in black, red, tan, gold accent In the words of the song group Bare Naked Ladies "If I had a million dollars...."
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: George Stoltz on October 20, 2010, 07:01:55 pm
Dave,
 
Yup.  You've got a delamination issue.  Xtreme fixed our problem.  You might check with them for an estimate.  Also, the current thinking is that the longer you wait, the worse it can become and it can damage the bladder and then the price goes up dramatically.
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 21, 2010, 04:42:56 pm
OK,OK, I hear ya. 
Had a good chat with James this morning and now have  scheduled at Xtreme for Nov 1, 2010 for the total 4 week, fix what ever it needs, slide etc, then the FBP delux Lvl3 or what ever, I hope for about $21.500.00  That should cover it I trust.
So anyone around on the 1st, I just did my Voting for Nov 2nd, just found that could be done, so did it.
So I am off middle of this coming week for Nac., Guess tow the Ford F150 and head back home for a few weeks unless there is something going on around the area.
Cheers
Dave
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dave Head on October 21, 2010, 08:57:53 pm
Woohoo!!! Congrats!
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Dan Stansel on October 21, 2010, 11:17:40 pm
You made the right choice.  James did the half body paint on my coach about two years ago and it still looks like it just came out of his paint room.  He also did my headlights and I can see really well night driving and no one blinks their lights at me.  A friend  had damaged a storage door on a new Monaco.  James built a new door and matched the paint.  My friend told me that the door was better than the other factory doors.  So good luck .  Would love to see the before and after pictures.  Dan Stansel U270 99 36 Bullard, Texas
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: John S on October 22, 2010, 12:23:25 am
Dave, you made the right choice...
You will love it.
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Tim Fiedler on October 22, 2010, 12:54:40 am
Dave and George and anyone else
 
I will be in NAC at MOT on Nov. 2 in the mid afternoon to enjoy club Pourtravel with all in attendance.  My coach will be at MOT later this week
- currently at Xtreme - you know, roof, taillights, and OOOOPS!
Leaving fairly early on Nov. 3 for Dallas.

Look at taillights and roof paint....:-)
 
It never ends!
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Michelle on October 22, 2010, 10:10:00 am

Leaving fairly early on Nov. 3 for Dallas.

Tim - are you in the Dallas area for very long?  We're just a bit west in southern Denton county (Northlake/Argyle area).

Quote

Look at taillights and roof paint....:-)

Seconding the roof paint (the non-skid version).

Michelle
Title: Re: Full Body Paint
Post by: Tim Fiedler on October 22, 2010, 10:36:50 am
Leave Coach at Texas Motor Speedway on the third - fly to Charleston on PM of the third for business, back on pm of the fourth.  At TMS for the races Nov. 5-7, and then off to FL to set up coach near Tampa for Mom for Winter.
 
Love to Connect on Nov. 5 during the day if that works.
 
Tim