Want to renovate

Topic: Want to renovate (Read 2276 times) previous topic - next topic

Want to renovate

August 25, 2013, 06:18:24 pm

Can anyone tell me where I should bring my 99 U270 for a fresh coat of paint and graffixs and an interior changeout? What about approximate cost for same? Any information will help.

Thanks

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #1 – August 25, 2013, 07:44:41 pm

Well I have totally remodeled the inside of my coach. I would call David Flanigan at FOT and talk to him about what you want done. The sky is the limit. I would also talk to James at Xtreme and have him do the paint.
Prices depend on what you want done.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #2 – August 25, 2013, 08:06:08 pm

Interesting question. You will get lots of opinions. Issue is cost vs. value of coach. I had a 1999 36 foot u -270. Took it to James at Xtreme paint and graphics in Nacogdoches. He did "level one" on coach which was strip decals, buff coach and paint trim back on exactly where decals were. $7k at the time, plus $3K for headlight conversion, $10K total 5 years ago.

You can spend $25k and up for full body paint. Worth ever penny, but does it make sense given the value of your coach? Only if you don't care and want to keep it a long time.

Topic has been vetted before, search option on forum is your friend. some shops in Indiana do paint, and Mexico is a realistic option due to low prices and prior positive reviews.

Good luck !

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #3 – August 25, 2013, 09:18:31 pm

I agree with Tim on the outside. The headlight upgrade is worth it. The inside, as long as you are using it enough ,I think a mojor renovation is worth it. You will not get the cost out but you will enjoy it much more. And to quote a friend who knew he was only keeping his coach a few years. (Jim and Sim). Life is too short to drive ugly.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #4 – August 26, 2013, 12:23:38 am

As Jim (of Jim and Sim) said to me: 'Life's too short to drive ugly'... He bought his 98 U320, spent about $30K on paint, windows and headlights. Drove it all over the US for 18 months with his wife Sim (including some south of the border time). Before meeting Jim, Sim had lived 8 years in the US but never left San Francisco. He vowed she would see every part she was interested in. Then they sold it and moved to Thailand for another new adventure.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #5 – August 26, 2013, 01:06:09 am

If you are heading to Xtreme for work, ask about the step conversion. THAT is money well spent, for sure. We don't drive at night, so the headlights are last on our list, but roof paint, and other exterior tweaks are what Xtreme does better than anyone. Interior fixes are really all personal preference ... but you don't even know what to ask for until you start talking to David Flanagan and the guys at the Remodel Shop. We have done everything from flooring tile and carpet to TV remodels to closet doors and extra shelving in the living room and upholstery recovering. They are just top notch. But it WILL take a few "Coach Bucks" to make your ideas reality!!

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #6 – August 26, 2013, 10:57:07 am

The headlight modification is done already to the high intensity xenon bulb lights.... Now it's time to redo the rest... Not sure if I should change colors completely or update same paint and just put on new graffics. Would love to change the color scheme inside and update a little. I have a 42 inch flat screen installed in the front and an 18 in the bedroom, but the coach needs updating a bit.....what are thoughts of totally changing colors, I'm thinking like something light, but flashy... Big graffics.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #7 – August 26, 2013, 11:04:45 am

Think $25 grand at Xtreme, lots of pictures on their web site

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #8 – August 26, 2013, 11:48:59 am

Full Body Paint at Xtreme is my recommendation. Your no-slide coach would likely be around $20,000 by the time all deferred body work is taken care of including the roof (new windows excluded). While at Xtreme ask James to get you in touch with Mitch Holland. Mitch can get the interior redone (upholstery & curtains, lambrequins, etc.) while Xtreme works on the body. I've seen some of Mitch's work and it is as good if not better than the factory.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #9 – August 27, 2013, 02:37:10 am

My vote is for Xtreme also. Wonderful folks and super quality work. We had our 99 U270 done in full body paint there, and we also had new headlights, new Peninsula windows, new step, new docking lights, new LED running lights, etc. We tell folks we had the outside re-manufactured, and it looks it.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #10 – August 27, 2013, 11:55:16 am

Read your comments and concerns on updating your coach. We have a '97 295 and the decals are getting tattered; the pulls on the shades inside are breaking; age takes its toll. I have hit my head on the TV cabinet so many times that hopefully I have learned a few things. We currently have our coach at X-treme for a full body update--Not a lot of curlicues but a slightly different approach I saw on another coach and then added a few Foretravel twists. It was amazing to take it to X-treme--within minutes they knew right where to look for problem areas; found a few small ones and a couple of costly ones. Yes, it is a costly renovation but not a whole lot more than the sales tax on a newer one. We love our old non-slide 36 ft and hope we have a few more years to reap the enjoyment from it. X-treme has the rig from 4-6 weeks and will then take it to David at Foretravel for the interior work which will take another week to 10 days. Unfortunately, X-treme's website has been down since Spring and we're not able to follow the progress for what (to us) is a major exterior coach renovation. We feel we could not have left it with a more competent group and look forward to picking it up in a few weeks. We highly recommend X-treme--they are very caring and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to your motorhome. (We will post pictures when we get it back (and when we figure out how to do it!))

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #11 – August 27, 2013, 11:58:51 am

She sure looks gorgeous Dave! Do you have any pictures of your step conversion? I'd be interested to see it in as much detail as possible both in and out... We plan on heading for the mothership in October for the ladies driving school and maybe doing some upgrades on the coach while there.
Don

Quote from: Dave Katsuki – August 27, 2013, 02:37:10 am

My vote is for Xtreme also. Wonderful folks and super quality work. We had our 99 U270 done in full body paint there, and we also had new headlights, new Peninsula windows, new step, new docking lights, new LED running lights, etc. We tell folks we had the outside re-manufactured, and it looks it.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #12 – August 27, 2013, 12:09:26 pm

Agree on the Xtreme treatment, all exterior painted, all light upgrades, like them all, but for me the very best was having Rance redo the engine cover into a hinged upper and easy remoable lower for access to the air filter. Very easyc to open & close wiyhout the dangers involved with the heavy door.
All good folks, eay to talk with.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #13 – August 27, 2013, 12:19:57 pm

Bushwacker
You will be extremely pleased with the work at X-treme. Can't wait to see pictures of your coach when X-treme gets through with it.
And you will have no problems with the work by David at Foretravel. He knows what he and his team are doing when it comes to renovation.
We were glad to meet you at Foretravel in July and look forward to meeting again.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #14 – August 27, 2013, 12:27:23 pm

James will treat you right and David is amazing. If they ever opened a shop together, watch out.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #15 – August 27, 2013, 11:02:16 pm

I would not rule out paint be the company who made your coach. I and many others have had it done and I certainly am very happy. See attached photo

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #16 – August 28, 2013, 12:52:59 am

Quote from: acousticart – August 27, 2013, 11:58:51 am

She sure looks gorgeous Dave! Do you have any pictures of your step conversion? I'd be interested to see it in as much detail as possible both in and out... We plan on heading for the mothership in October for the ladies driving school and maybe doing some upgrades on the coach while there.
Don

Don't have any pictures of the step conversion underneath, but here are two outside views. Rance took the old step box completely out and built a new frame that allows the step assembly to be removed with 4 bolts. New steps are also moved more to the rear than the old step (as you can see in the photo), since that's where you want to step when you exit the door. I had installed a switch to allow the old step to stay out or come in when the engine is off, and Rance just connected the new step control to that, so we can have the step in if desired when parked. Always comes out when the door opens, of course.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #17 – August 28, 2013, 11:10:53 am

While at Xtreme about 17 months ago I watched Rance do the step conversion on Jeff and Carol's coach. I am sure Don can do his own as there is not much framework added just a couple of sq tube frames either side welded on to bolt steps too. It takes time and of course the fibreglass surround panel is cut to fit and painted. Once you have the step blocked up and sitting in the correct position after removing the old set-up it is easy to see what is needed as a frame. Of course you need to be able to weld and fit it all together.
Painting it all would be my problem as that is something I have never really tried and mastered.
I agree they do very good work there and attention to detail is apparent. Nice people, and should I need our coach worked on (body paint) I would be there in a flash.
John H

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #18 – August 28, 2013, 02:17:10 pm

Quote from: Dave Katsuki – August 28, 2013, 12:52:59 am

Don't have any pictures of the step conversion underneath, but here are two outside views. Rance took the old step box completely out and built a new frame that allows the step assembly to be removed with 4 bolts. New steps are also moved more to the rear than the old step (as you can see in the photo), since that's where you want to step when you exit the door. I had installed a switch to allow the old step to stay out or come in when the engine is off, and Rance just connected the new step control to that, so we can have the step in if desired when parked. Always comes out when the door opens, of course.

We had that optional switch installed when they did our step conversion. there are times (such as when you pull into a very tight fuel bay or near a curb) when you don't want that new, improved step to extend. No problem. It also allows the step to remain extended when you are parked and the engine is off. Xtreme is REALLY good at what they do. The framing is only a part. There is considerable fiberglass, paint & electrical work involved, as well. But the finished result is seamless. the step unit itself is VERY solid, and if you have ever tried to carry a tray of dinner items out to a picnic area with both hands ... or haul groceries into the coach ... or missed a step or slid with wet feet and half broken a leg ... you will appreciate the safety and beauty of these steps. There IS a reason why the steps on the big, expensive coaches are more like these. When we had our conversion, I think the price for just the step unit itself was about $1800 ... then add installation.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #19 – August 28, 2013, 02:26:09 pm

I think I was quoted $3,000 for step conversion complete when I had my roof painted and the LED tail lights put in. WIll be getting the step in the next year or so, (Along with a new Ernie floor) since Dave Head expects it perfect and fully optioned when I turn it over to him!

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #20 – August 28, 2013, 02:50:15 pm

Thanks for the pictures! That looks really nice... I'm definitely putting that on the list of our possible future upgrades. I don't know if we'll get to that this time since the list is just so long, but I've been curious about that since I first heard about the step conversion. The pictures on Xtreme's website don't do them justice.
Don
Edit: question... Are the steps still air powered or are they all electric after the upgrade?

Quote from: Dave Katsuki – August 28, 2013, 12:52:59 am

Don't have any pictures of the step conversion underneath, but here are two outside views. Rance took the old step box completely out and built a new frame that allows the step assembly to be removed with 4 bolts. New steps are also moved more to the rear than the old step (as you can see in the photo), since that's where you want to step when you exit the door. I had installed a switch to allow the old step to stay out or come in when the engine is off, and Rance just connected the new step control to that, so we can have the step in if desired when parked. Always comes out when the door opens, of course.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #21 – August 28, 2013, 03:23:51 pm

We are in the process of upgrades ourselves. We had our decals redone in Apache Junction AZ. Full body paint wasn't in the budget. New flooring goes in next week. We were fortunate to find a company here in Whitney TX that is knowledgable with RV's and very reasonably priced. We have seen his work and were very impressed. October will be new upholstery month. Then we can set back and enjoy our new decor and replenish the FT fund.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #22 – August 28, 2013, 08:28:02 pm

Coleen, I'm interested in your new decals. Did they need to pretty much go where the old ones were, or was it a totally different scheme? Was the original paint touched up? Would you mind sharing a rough cost? Last, pictures would be awesome...

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #23 – August 28, 2013, 09:56:35 pm

Quote from: acousticart – August 28, 2013, 02:50:15 pm

Thanks for the pictures! That looks really nice... I'm definitely putting that on the list of our possible future upgrades. I don't know if we'll get to that this time since the list is just so long, but I've been curious about that since I first heard about the step conversion. The pictures on Xtreme's website don't do them justice.
Don
Edit: question... Are the steps still air powered or are they all electric after the upgrade?

They are all electric now, so no issues with air pressure.

Re: Want to renovate

Reply #24 – August 29, 2013, 12:52:12 am

Looks low for any use with dips or deep gutters. Almost stop if approaching that kind of elevation change. Scraped off many similar mounted steps.

Carefully driven into nice campgrounds no problem I guess. I still like dry camp adventures.

Just me.

Bob

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