Roof coating from FOT

Topic: Roof coating from FOT (Read 3074 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #25 – April 25, 2013, 12:23:19 am

Steve,

Call James and let him share the differences that make the Xtreme job the superior choice.

FOT does a good job, Xtreme is just superior in execution, choice of paint manufacturer and texture material (glass beads).

Painting around the objects on the roof is a good job. Removing, painting and re-installing is superior.

Not cutting corners and attention to detail is a hallmark of Xtreme.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #26 – April 25, 2013, 12:36:45 am

Here's the difference. Earlier I called Xtreme to get the details of the product used and process. James Stallings answered the phone. I posted the results of the tel. conv. in this very thread. I got to talk directly with James Stallings. No smoke, no mirrors. Try that with FOT. And, the quality of work and products used are state of the art.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #27 – April 25, 2013, 12:40:33 am

When FOT did my roof they lifted all the cables.

Richard B.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #28 – April 25, 2013, 08:10:34 am

Quote from: philtravel – April 24, 2013, 06:46:59 pm

Our coach is at Xtreme now and they are going to do our roof along with other work. Looking forward to no more black streaks!

I had Jame's do our roof in 2010,we have no more chaulking, but it will not stop the black streaks.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #29 – April 25, 2013, 08:18:24 am

FOT will discuss the roof coating with you. Just call Justin in the paint shop. He runs the shop and will give you all the details on what they use and how it is applied, just as James will do. Both shops do an outstanding job.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #30 – April 25, 2013, 09:15:30 am

The key to any coatings performance is in the preparation of the substrate. That is my primary criteria to make that choice. Chances are you won't go too wrong with either one.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #31 – April 25, 2013, 09:23:15 am

I find it interesting that those of you who have chosen Xtreme can say without any reservations how superior their paint job is than Foretravel's, when you didn't have your roof done by Foretravel. I appreciate your loyalty and enthusiasm for James but the facts aren't quite what you say. First I have has almost two complete paint jobs done by Justin in Nac. Both times the roof was painted and all the wires and cables were lifted or removed for the job. Secondly any cracking to the fiberglass was fixed in my case at no charge because the coach was just over five years old. In both cases the paint job was great. Now I don't go knocking Stallings because I chose Justin. The truth is both do a very good job that most would be happy with. So stop the bashing and stay with facts.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #32 – April 25, 2013, 09:37:13 am

No bashing. I also love FOT and trust that they will be around a very long time. There's nothing like competition to keep businesses on the straight and narrow. Just saying...Xtreme is a small outfit and the owner talks to you every day when you're there...his wife daughter and son too. BTW, James set up the FOT paint shop when FOT decided to go to paint from vinyl, so yes they got some of their manners from Jim as well.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #33 – April 25, 2013, 09:47:16 am

Yes, please don't misunderstand. Foretravel is very reliable. Foretravel does most of the work on my coach. They paint the new million dollar coaches so you know they are good. Justin painted my coach for the PO in 2009 but I am from the paint and coatings industry and I am giving my opinion on who does the best work. From what I have seen, Xtreme does better a prep job, addresses cracks better and uses marginally better paint and paint techniques on repaints. Again, just my opinion.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #34 – April 25, 2013, 10:39:27 am

Okay...Mistery solved. I called FOT. The paint shop number is 936-559-5259, and usually will go to voice mail. Justin's cell number is 936-559-3466 and he does answer the phone

. Here's the summary of our conversation. The product FOT uses is a bedliner tintable eurathane, brand name Armor Liner. It is tintable and he uses a white tint...no other additives. It also has UV inhibitors as does the product Xtreme uses.

I hope this lends clarity to the discussion.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #35 – April 25, 2013, 10:57:12 am

That is interesting. Ever seen a truck with old bedliner?

Paint like Xtreme uses is repairable by sanding and re-coating. Cracked up bedliner needs to be removed to repair and that will be a real challenge.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #36 – April 25, 2013, 12:49:12 pm

Rudy, how about a new bedliner?? They are doing fantastic stuff with the newer bedliner materials today, including being used to deflect the energy from ballistics and explosive blasts for the military.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #37 – April 25, 2013, 01:07:40 pm

The material does not look like bed liners. its a semi polished white that lets you see the fiberglass sheeting underneath. Again if you haven't seen why guess. My roof looks immaculate like it just came off production. In fact My son was working on the air conditioner service and commented how new and beautiful the roof looked. No bare spots no overspray or missed spots due to wires or cables. It appears very durable and stays very clean with no streaks after a rain.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #38 – April 25, 2013, 01:38:17 pm

Quote from: Steve – April 25, 2013, 01:33:10 pm

Peter, thanks for doing the leg, or ear work in this case, on this .... Looks like a good product.

I think this is the datasheet as near as I can tell ..... "recommended for truck beds, boats, transport trailers, sewage plants, offshore drilling platforms and equipment, deerstands," .... humm deerstands, well if it can stand up to the duck dynasty crew I'm sold

Yup, Steve. This is the real deal. It appears to be a very good and tried product. Likely "tougher" as it is designed to take a lot of punishment in truck beds. Probably overkill

for just a Coach roof...No pun intended with the deer stand thing...(roadkill)

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #39 – April 25, 2013, 01:40:18 pm

BTW, I should mention that Xtreme will apply the Armor Liner if you insist. It's your dime anyway.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #40 – April 25, 2013, 09:24:06 pm

Based on the Tech Data and MSDS the TBLA is a top grade HDMI, two component urethane formulation. It probably is a great product but I did not see anything in their literature that indicated that it is an elastomeric product with crack bridging capabilities. It has a suggested application rate resulting in 15 to 20 mils DFT (Dry Film Thickness). That's not thick enough to bridge any substantial substrate cracking. It also lists UV inhibitors not UV blockers. This is a red flag for longevity on a motorhome roof. I want a coating that will last at least 10 years. If UV is inhibited not blocked some UV will get through the coating to the bond line breaking down the bond to substrate over time. The coating used by Xtreme on my roof was opaque, 10 to 12 mils thick and fully pigmented with UV blocking TiO2 and non skid. I still marginally pick the Xtreme formula but they both look pretty darn good. IMHO

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #41 – April 25, 2013, 10:24:01 pm

Justin, who runs the FT paint shop, spoke at the Buddy Rally last week. He didn't address roof cracks at all, but did describe his roof treatment as bedliner-like. He distributed samples, which looked just like bedliner to me, with real thickness to it and an orange peel rough but shiny surface. FWIW, he was giving a 10% discount for people signing up for paint work during the rally. The Club discount has never applied to paint, but Justin said he has not increased prices in 5 years.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #42 – April 26, 2013, 10:49:41 am

Seems about 90% of the issues here are opinion driven, my coach lives indoors 95% of the time, so it does not suffer from many of these issues.
I have had many upgrades at Xtreme and a very few at MOT, the next will be at Xtreme, as I say, its opinion driven.
Why my favorite saying is the warm & fuzzy thing, if your happy I sure am.
Dave M

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #43 – April 26, 2013, 11:56:12 am

I have the Xtreme coating and it has anti-skid and is easy to keep clean. Have not had any issues with it so am happy. Can't comment on the FOT version.

Keith

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #44 – April 26, 2013, 08:15:58 pm

OK, been off the forum busy, busy.

However, having read this and talking to James back in December and now continuing to read this thread, I've got to add just a bit.
Spent years working on custom and mainstream car finishes. but decades ago.. later boats, paint and gelcoat. Lessons learned was products change but pricing of them and 'workmanship' does not.

I would recommmend researching the products first. 2 part mixtures last longer than 1 part coatings. (not talking about clear coat 2 stage paint but 2 part mixes of part A mixed 'with part B...............thats 2 part coating)

2 part coatings, especially the linked long strand poly paints, (if I remember the terminology) are incredebly long lived. 10 yrs. or more. In the marine industry, Awlgrip is the leader. Sterling is another.////called linear polyurethanes I believe.

Used both in years past with good success and both can be applied by brush!!! by an amatuer!!! (following directions of course) with wonderful finish at the end.

From afar, I would put my $ on the man who puts his name on the paper. A man who signs off on the job as 'his'. James has been stellar in my interactions with him and his family/crew. FOT has been, (forgive me if necessary) to be limited, not the men working, but the directives they get form up above them... corp. decisions seem to show their decisions on the floor and again...this is only coming from my gut.

They are both wonderful businesses and we are better off with both but if it's a project like this...I would choose a company that put's a signature on the paper. james gets my business if I need this kind of work... It is his 'business' not a paycheck.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #45 – April 26, 2013, 09:02:51 pm

After reading all these comments my take away is: research the coating yourself, contact FOT and Xtreme to discuss the job and then go with whoever YOU feel most comfortable with. Both products apprear to be great, both vendors are quality contractors. The choice is YOURS based on your evaluation of product and quality application. The End.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #46 – April 26, 2013, 09:05:39 pm

Quote from: Steve Mudd – April 26, 2013, 09:02:51 pm

After reading all these comments my take away is: research the coating yourself, contact FOT and Xtreme to discuss the job and then go with whoever YOU feel most comfortable with. Both products appear to be great, both vendors are quality contractors. The choice is YOURS based on your evaluation of product and quality application. The End.

Exact-a-mundo! You have earned a Karma

Michelle

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #47 – April 26, 2013, 09:48:54 pm

One thing I forgot to mention. Hopefully, if you decided to paint your roof you do not create another maintenance issue to have to repaint or repair in the future. Hope its not like painting a fence.....once you do it, you have to repaint it in the future.

My coach is stored inside and always will be. I have not had any roof issues or leaks and don't want to create any........ so, no "self-inflicted" maintenance issues, right!!??

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #48 – April 27, 2013, 10:01:36 am

Steve, I think storing the coach inside makes a huge difference but if you winter for a few months or travel for months at a time then the roof painting might be a bigger benefit. I have not done mine yet either but one day I probably will. I do not think it is a self inflicted issue but it will help prevent cracks and does have some beneficial properties.

Re: Roof coating from FOT

Reply #49 – April 27, 2013, 03:00:33 pm

Steve, I would not worry about paint maintenance with quality products used by any of the pro's. Foretravel's from 2002 still look as beautiful to me as the day they were made and I'm sure the products used by other shops are equal. These paints used today are to be trusted. I do lean towards 2 part paints (Part A mixed with Part B and you have only so long to apply it) as the chemistry affords quality not available in paint just out of the can/my experience.
When I mentioned Awlgrip, a marine paint, I painted my boat with it in 2000 and it looks almost as good now. Certainly, no chalking, which is the issue I think with our coaches up to year 2001, as the roofs were 'gelcoat'. My coach's gelcoat roof is beginning to chalk up now, so I'm considering sanding and painting it with Awlgrip and adding non-skid particles when I can get to this project, but the materials, quality of workmanship at any of the pro's and their currrent prices are all worth looking at. I'd put price last in my consideration and as you say, do your own homework, especially on materials.
Cleaning and waxing... or coating with floor polishes etc. each year, is lots of time and some money and so are storage units. I truly feel, a good paint job on the roof can easily give you easily, a decade of trouble free service from that part of your coach.

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