Best method for buffing the exterior

Topic: Best method for buffing the exterior (Read 1764 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #25 – April 18, 2019, 02:22:09 pm

Best method, in my opinion, is to have it done this first time by professionals that know what they are doing and have done it before. After that it is up to you to maintain the glossy exterior.
I have found that one pays for experience one way or another.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #26 – April 18, 2019, 03:47:55 pm

Yes our coach is original white with the original and not in great condition stripes, so I assume it has the quality gel coat finish.
we have booked it int Xtreme go November 1 but thought I might give it a bit of a shine to get it through the summer.
It sounds that by the time I get the time to work on the exterior it will be too hot put the necessary effort into it and I should let Xtreme do it, and then keep it up.
After all I want to be away week ends enjoying good food and cold beer, a Foretravel is designed to leave the back yard on summer days off.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #27 – April 18, 2019, 05:35:14 pm

I like nighthawks idea. By the time one invests in the "pro" quality buffers and such. Your likely to be about on par with having it done up by a pro. Then maintain using a much cheaper orbiting polisher and a good layer of wax.

But then again, Some like the challenge of restoring it on their own.

I know it would have been a wash had I just spent the money on fuel to go somewhere to have my wheels polished. Took me two days $100 in supplies (electric drill and pads) Then some major league sore back & hips & tennis elbow. But the wheels looks ace now.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #28 – April 18, 2019, 06:46:53 pm

"I should let Xtreme do it". They don't do the buff and shine as a service last I checked. Xtreme will send you down to Precision Detail on University in NAC. Precision does a fine job, it was $1300 when they did ours, probably still under 2 CB.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #29 – April 18, 2019, 07:27:33 pm

What ever it costs here, Mexico will be about 25% as much. Paint too.

P

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #30 – April 18, 2019, 08:18:52 pm

I'll do like Mr. Miagi,get a couple of "Daniel Sans" and wax on wax off,or as Pierce says,"Jose Sans"

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #31 – April 18, 2019, 08:19:49 pm

Is there a place in Mexico close to the border that you know of?
Is it safe down there?

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #32 – April 19, 2019, 01:33:56 am

Probably still under 2CB's for a buffing.
Boy was I off in my thinking about how much it may cost for a buff. But I often am off on the cost of coach stuff. I need to start adding one or two zeros.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #33 – April 19, 2019, 08:38:33 am

There are lots of folks that will shine up you coach for $400 or so. Precision does a complete fluff and buff detail. Precision spent three whole days on our coach. They washed it, compounded the roof (needed it) and the rest of it and then waxed and polished it. They polished all of the aluminum awning arms and awning covers. They cleaned the insides of all of the bay doors. The cleaned and painted the insides of the wheel wheels. The did the tires with 303. They cleaned the wheels, caps and lug nut covers (no polish on the Durabright Alcoas). They cleaned all the windows. They even cleaned all of the bay door handles grooves with a small brush (tooth brush).

It is the difference between an automatic car wash and a full on detail shop. You get what you pay for. It was good for us.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #34 – April 19, 2019, 11:14:47 am

Quote from: Irish – April 18, 2019, 08:19:49 pm

Is there a place in Mexico close to the border that you know of?
Is it safe down there?

Unless you deal drugs, it's much safer than here. No kids shooting each other in school, drive by shootings, etc. Our trip last week was close to my 100th time down since I was 14 1/2. Have never heard a shot, lots of firecrackers though.

Yes! If you want to stay on this side of the border, there are a couple of shops in Algodones (Los Algodones) that have excellent reputations. They will come over to the U.S. and give you an estimate as it's right on the border. Do a Google search plus there are YouTube videos on their work. Here is a video of Navarro's Paint Shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACwiiwoINdI If interested, I suggest you give him a call for buffing prices.

For a bit of a vacation in a Mexican city on the beach, Puerto Peńasco is one hour from the Lukeville border with an excellent overnight before crossing at Organ Pipe Natl. Mon. They come to the RV parks to do the work. Figure about $175/wk for the RV space. Anytime you cross the border you must have Mexican liability insurance. I purchase a driver's license policy for $100 is good for a year and covers US$335,000. PM for details.

Glenn just came back from an extensive trip in their coach. Contact him for his take on everything.

Mexico paints a good percentage of our airline fleet. Our plane badly needs paint and the cost in California is about $13,000. While we were in Lake Chapala last week, we went to Aero Club Chapala and looked at their paint jobs. Google Maps: Report Inappropriate Image . About $3700 total for a strip and repaint.

They build and paint the planes at this really small airport at the edge of the lake. Photos are of a couple of RV aircraft they built and painted.

For anyone considering retirement where the weather is perfect the year around, restaurants are inexpensive but outstanding, big ex-pat population and inexpensive but excellent medical/dental facilities, this is the place.

Pierce

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #35 – April 19, 2019, 11:51:27 am

I was at FOT last year (Nov), I called precision out for an estimate to polish and detail my coach. He was there within the hour, and the entire detail would have been exactly what Roger described. But it was far from 2CBs, he wanted 4.5CB, so I passed of course.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #36 – April 19, 2019, 12:58:45 pm

Quote from: OffTheGridRVs – April 19, 2019, 11:51:27 am

I was at FOT last year (Nov), I called precision out for an estimate to polish and detail my coach. He was there within the hour, and the entire detail would have been exactly what Roger described. But it was far from 2CBs, he wanted 4.5CB, so I passed of course.

For many of us on a fixed income, $4,500 is astronomical, especially on an older coach. As the years go by, Many of us can't do as much as we used to and when faced with prices like you posted, we are faced with deferring the work, paying but no longer being able to afford some other things we enjoy or finding an alternate way of getting the job done without breaking the bank. Yes, it's easier to just pull out the card but with a little "thinking outside the box", getting the work done for a reasonable amount can be even more rewarding plus add a little adventure to one's life.

Pierce

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #37 – April 19, 2019, 01:12:13 pm

I agree Pierce, I've done some wet sanding and polishing in the past, by I'm not a pro at it by any means. I'll keep searching for now, and may end up doing it myself after I remove the vinyl decals.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #38 – April 19, 2019, 01:24:31 pm

I suppose price depends on the condition of your coach.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #39 – April 19, 2019, 01:25:09 pm

Looking at the pictures - RV-12? DO they contract build them too or just paint? Nice work.

US EPA regulations, workers compensation insurance and US labor costs, rent, etc. contribute to much higher US costs to do this work.

Sadly, this paint kills people if proper protection not used, hopefully the over the border shops don't scrimp there. What I saw on the beach at PP was SCARY! to the person painting, plus it was painting in the open air on the beach, no way not to have dust/grit in the clear coat.

Looking at the video - differences vs Xtreme obvious - they mask most of the coach in the video, extreme removes everything - ladders, awnings, windows, lights, etc. Xtreme has a high tech paint booth which would reduce the amount of dust in finished product vs. home made paint tent made out of plastic. Finally, it may be customer preference, but paint scheme is pretty basic and "lineal"

That being all said, for most of the coaches represented on the forum, a $30,000 Xtreme Full Body Paint is not economically practical. (of course what about a luxury motor coach is economically practical.....) While I was underwhelmed with the quality of work at Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) with regards to "paint on the beach" service there, this type of shop and cost makes a ton of sense for the $30- $70K coach, especially if you are looking at a 3-5 year ownership horizon.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #40 – April 19, 2019, 01:57:11 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – April 19, 2019, 08:38:33 am

There are lots of folks that will shine up you coach for $400 or so. Precision does a complete fluff and buff detail. Precision spent three whole days on our coach. They washed it, compounded the roof (needed it) and the rest of it and then waxed and polished it. They polished all of the aluminum awning arms and awning covers. They cleaned the insides of all of the bay doors. The cleaned and painted the insides of the wheel wheels. The did the tires with 303. They cleaned the wheels, caps and lug nut covers (no polish on the Durabright Alcoas). They cleaned all the windows. They even cleaned all of the bay door handles grooves with a small brush (tooth brush).

It is the difference between an automatic car wash and a full on detail shop. You get what you pay for. It was good for us.

Agreed, I was just taken aback as to how far I was off in thinking what a buffing would cost.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #41 – April 19, 2019, 02:05:40 pm

I'm sure the condition has an affect on price Roger, but it's not like I'm bringing them a 1984 winne 😂 The drivers side of my coach took most of the sun, and may need some wet sanding first, but not 2.5CBs worth.

I'm sure your 01 was much in better condition then my 99 without a doubt, but it's coming along and I love it.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #42 – April 19, 2019, 02:14:26 pm

I have had many collector cars over the years and view my 95 FT U320 the same way. It is not new and I had one before but these have a soul. I will wash and wax and maybe new decals but a new total paint just seems too much to me!

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #43 – April 19, 2019, 02:20:22 pm

I agree Nigel, there's another member on the forum that got new graphics put on by Bayou Graphics, they're in Houston I believe, for a little over 1CB. He said they did a great job, and they even removed the upper and lower decals for that price. I believe it was a 99 or 2000.

They're on my list also...

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Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #44 – April 19, 2019, 02:33:14 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 19, 2019, 01:25:09 pm

Looking at the pictures - RV-12? DO they contract build them too or just paint? Nice work.

Tim,
They build them for themselves with several other models seen in the Aero Club video. Not sure if it was the standard or quick build kit. They appeared to have all the right masks, etc.

The guy that I work with here is probably the leading specialist for XXX airplanes in the whole world. He sprays Emron all the time but until I came along, he just used a regular mask, no suit, no air supply for breathing and all in a small room that the wings fit into. Unless someone belongs to the EAA and works as a team, I expect most shops stateside that shoot car or airplane paint with Isocyanates don't have the full needed protection unless forced by OSHA. My friend still won't spend the $$ on a suit.

In Mexico or here, the amount of stripping, taping, types of primers, paint dictate the cost for the job. I've seen some OK jobs on seats, etc here and in Mexico. I wanted the seats to look EXACTLY like the OEM vinyl Ultraleather but with a little heavier duty material. I carefully went over the stitching, folds, pleats, etc and came back each day to check the work. When done, it was even better than I had expected. This avoids the disappointments. There are shops for Foretravels that have done enough of them so they know what the owners will expect but along with this knowledge goes a high price tag. Hey, if you want all the ladders, awnings removed, the Algodones shops will also do that. It's part of knowing what to expect and communicating it.

So, if you want a good job, get involved, very involved. If you want an airline quality job like in Monterrey, Mexico with huge hangers, state of the art equipment, etc. resulting in a perfect job or an beachside repaint for little money, it's your decision. Just take the time to come up to speed on everything involved whether here or there. It's just not that hard to spend a few hours and study the subject. I always research as much as possible but also listen closely to others for their input. No need to reinvent the wheel.

As you say, rent, regulations, cost of labor, etc all add up to what the shop charges. But when the cost of living is much less in that location, it's usually possible to stretch your $$ pretty far. If the shop owners live in McMansions, you have to pay for their lifestyles. If they live in more humble abodes, the prices reflect this.

When we had a big sailboat built in Taiwan, we could have just taken the stock boat the way it was designed. We opted to have very intricate dragons carved on all of the doors. The chart table was also not exactly as I wanted it plus I felt the water tanks needed much more bracing in order to not come loose in rough weather. The carving on the doors cost $14/ea additional and the other charges were minimal. I had seen other boats done this way and took advice when I could find it. I then communicated to the builders exactly what I wanted done. In the end, everyone was happy. They only thing they would not do was replace the damm Perkins engine.

Pierce

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #45 – April 19, 2019, 02:35:52 pm

$400 will get your moneys worth of compounding and waxing. Buffing is not the same as a full detail. Price is not either. Do what you want.

Another thread that took a left turn.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #46 – April 19, 2019, 06:20:11 pm

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