An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Topic: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year (Read 4951 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #25 – December 29, 2013, 11:45:59 am

Roger, step just stops if hits an object, then retracts when you close the door. We have a switch near the door so we can either keep it out (when parked) or have it retract every time the screen door or outer door closes.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #26 – December 29, 2013, 12:12:06 pm

Quote from: Jeff Savournin – December 29, 2013, 11:45:59 am

Roger, step just stops if hits an object, then retracts when you close the door. We have a switch near the door so we can either keep it out (when parked) or have it retract every time the screen door or outer door closes.

This is exactly how ours operates. Ours was the first retro fit done by FOT in late 2009 (these were steps originally designed only for the newer coaches at that time). We bought it on consignment and the PO/original owner had already made arrangements for FOT to do the retro fit just before we inked the deal. They are wonderful (wide, deep, and very stable)... but we're not as brave as Jeff to stand in front of it and test its safety stop feature!

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #27 – December 30, 2013, 12:25:03 pm

I have been assured by Rance that the behavior of the step assy we are getting is as described by Jeff. Another question for those who may have thoughts about this idea. I asked Greg about painting the horizontal surfaces of the steps with the roof system they use here at Xtreme and he said they have done several step conversions this way. Sounds good to me... but he seemed to think that black would be the best option for keeping clean. I see from pictures of folks who have full body paint that the entire step assy is painted coach color. What think you? Of course the vertical surfaces need to match the gel coat. I am thinking that as long as the black starts about where the current non-skid tread starts, the black shouldn't show when the steps are retracted. On the other hand, if it was all white, then it wouldn't show and may look better when the steps are out, as long as the non-skid surface isn't too hard to clean. The practical thing would probably be to have the non skid area black... decisions, decisions! $:-\$

By the way, I did the initial fitment and installation of the compartment over the weekend to try and help the schedule of upgrades be more doable. If that thing was a millimeter larger, it would not have fit! as it was, I had to grind out a weld tab and flatten the weld seems of the box on the corners, bevel the edges all the way around, and buy some long bar clamps to bring the bottom of the box in that last quarter of an inch. Also, an A/C receiver/dryer was mounted in the way (with plumbers tape! I hope that wasn't factory original

) to the other frame member. Man those A/C lines are stiff!
Don

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #28 – December 30, 2013, 02:04:43 pm

Don,ask Greg if they can paint the steps with refrigerator white epoxy,should be a close match for the gel coat.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #29 – December 31, 2013, 07:35:11 am

The bottom of my coach is black, as is my Kwikee step. The horizontal surfaces haven't been a problem as finished by Xtreme, but the vertical face that shows when the step is closed scratches during use(probably from the toes of cowboy boots). I think you're right to look for a more durable finish there.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #30 – December 31, 2013, 11:24:21 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – December 31, 2013, 07:35:11 am

the vertical face that shows when the step is closed scratches during use(probably from the toes of cowboy boots). I think you're right to look for a more durable finish there.

One other cause of scratches on HORIZONTAL surface are small rocks which, if not swept away before the steps are retracted, will scrape/gouge across the vertical surface when the step retracts.

Fortunately, the non-skid step covers took most of the rock abuse/damage. We'll need to be a bit more vigilant with these replacement covers, as they are not quite as deep.... and more of the finished vertical surface of the steps is exposed.

To answer an earlier question of Don's, this photo also shows that the beige/cream color paint on the vertical surface actually comes up onto the horizontal surface just a bit.

Enjoy your new steps!

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #31 – December 31, 2013, 07:47:18 pm

I will let them paint the vertical sections of the step to match the white gel coat on the rest of the coach, but will have them paint the horizontal surfaces with a black nonskid roof type paint to within about 3/4" of the perimeter of the stepping surface creating a border which will be white. We will see how that lasts... I figure I can laminate some white FRP to the vertical surfaces if the paint scuffs too badly over time. In the mean time, here are a few more pictures...
Don

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #32 – January 01, 2014, 06:51:07 am

Don, it looks like the project is coming along very nicely. It helps to get a handle on how labor intensive this is, but soooo well worth it. How much longer are you scheduled to be there? Hope all is well.

Larry

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #33 – January 01, 2014, 10:34:19 am

Thanks Larry,
It is fairly labor intensive, but I am thrilled by the results. Thursday, we will sit down with Brittany (pretty sure that is her name, we haven't met her yet), and decide about the graphics. The gel coat is in pretty good condition according to Greg, and it shined up nicely. We will probably replace the swoops with lighter colors, and some sort of color band along the mid band to hide most of the ghosting from the darker decals. I will feel a lot bettr when that decision gets made! We should be done by end of day Friday... It is hard to believe, but these folks have made believers out of us. If it doesn't happen quite that way, I am sure that it won't be for lack of trying on their part.
Don & Tys

Quote from: ohsonew – January 01, 2014, 06:51:07 am

Don, it looks like the project is coming along very nicely. It helps to get a handle on how labor intensive this is, but soooo well worth it. How much longer are you scheduled to be there? Hope all is well.

Larry

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #34 – January 01, 2014, 01:53:41 pm

Quote from: acousticart – December 31, 2013, 07:47:18 pm

I will let them paint the vertical sections of the step to match the white gel coat on the rest of the coach...

Don - After painting, for a little extra protection on the vertical section apply a piece of clear plastic like diamond shield or whatever they might have on hand.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #35 – January 01, 2014, 02:58:06 pm

Don,

Check with James Stallings before installing any of that shield stuff. I do not think he likes it anymore than I do.

James can paint the front of the coach with impact protection under the paint and therefore any repairs do not require the removal of the shield and the front will never ever look like crap when the shield goes to pot. Do not know it that applies to stripes only but James will know for sure.

Two of my Aqua Hot customers have had him remove the horrible looking front shield from their few year old coaches.

This is my vote to do what James thinks is best.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #36 – January 01, 2014, 04:23:33 pm

Rudy - I was only suggesting the plastic shield for the vertical section of the step - not the front of the coach.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #37 – January 01, 2014, 04:39:15 pm

Mark,

Well then, I certainly miss understood you. Sorry for the error and interesting idea.

Happy New Year to you all.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #38 – January 01, 2014, 05:11:49 pm

Mark, Rance did suggest that they could put the clear shield over it. We just went through camp Foretravel on the way to Lufkin to see who might be there. We were able to meet "The other Brett" and see his beautiful full body paint job (coach and car both!), Josh, not sure of his forum handle, and Jerry (aka Murph) Maddux. Anyway there is a Foretravel on consignment there (05'?) that has a "not so clear" clear shield on the front that also had it applied over the step facia, which was likewise not so clear... I don't think that I would want that stuff anywhere on the coach! We will live with the paint for now I think... I still have some of fiberglass skin that I used for the utility bay floor and will use that as my plan "B". That stuff is very cleanable and rugged and UV resistant.
Don

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #39 – January 01, 2014, 06:30:31 pm

Quote from: acousticart – January 01, 2014, 05:11:49 pm

Mark, Rance did suggest that they could put the clear shield over it. We just went through camp Foretravel on the way to Lufkin to see who might be there. We were able to meet "The other Brett" and see his beautiful full body paint job (coach and car both!), Josh, not sure of his forum handle, and Jerry (aka Murph) Maddux. Anyway there is a Foretravel on consignment there (05'?) that has a "not so clear" clear shield on the front that also had it applied over the step facia, which was likewise not so clear... I don't think that I would want that stuff anywhere on the coach! We will live with the paint for now I think

Don - how about some of the stainless armor bling that Bill W. linked in another post - they specifically have step cladding http://rvstainless.com/StepUpgrades/tabid/66/Default.aspx and I think this might be the one for the Kwikee Series 42 http://rvstainless.com/EntrywayUpgrades/OriginalSlideSteps/tabid/90/Default.aspx

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #40 – January 01, 2014, 08:19:51 pm

Interesting! Thanks for the link Michelle. I am a stainless steel junkie, but I might have to go for the whole coach package to match if got the step cladding

. Maybe I might roll my own set from brushed stainless. The polished does show scratches and is a whole lot harder to bring back to new, especially if it has a clear coat on it. The brushed stainless can be renewed with a little elbow grease and a Scotchbrite pad, and if the scratches are deeper, some fine emory cloth first. When I did my utility compartment, I was pretty disappointed by the time I got the fitment right. There were numerous scratches that I worked with emory cloth, and then the Scotchbrite. It looked pristine when I was finished. Of course it won't stay that way in use, but so far so good and I can always clean it up again.
Don

Quote from: Michelle – January 01, 2014, 06:30:31 pm

Don - how about some of the stainless armor bling that Bill W. linked in another post - they specifically have step cladding http://rvstainless.com/StepUpgrades/tabid/66/Default.aspx and I think this might be the one for the Kwikee Series 42 http://rvstainless.com/EntrywayUpgrades/OriginalSlideSteps/tabid/90/Default.aspx

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #41 – January 01, 2014, 08:34:04 pm

Thanks for the picture Patricia! Keeping it swept before retraction sounds like a good idea to me! Maybe a door sweep could be fitted to it... Do you have any pictures of it in the closed position with the coach door closed? I would guess that the steps only close when the door is closed?

Don

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #42 – January 02, 2014, 10:43:48 pm

Coming down to the wire now... a monkey wrench potentially thrown in. One of the painters discovered a small area of delamination near the large kitchen window awning support on the passenger side of the coach while masking it off. It escaped all previous inspections... It is not raised up and Greg doesn't think it is likely caused by water intrusion. The verbal estimated to fix was 6 to 8 hours. Since someone has the apartment booked we have elected to just take a wait and see approach. If we decide to have it fixed later, the extra work to redo the paint will add about 6 hours or so to the job. Not that money isn't an issue, but I would elect to have it fixed in a heartbeat if they could accommodate us, but we would have to find a place that would allow pets for a short stay and move out of the apartment and into said place and then in a few days, back into the coach. $:-\$ Not going to happen... After giving it much thought and talking to Greg and Rance, we are going ahead with the paint and keep an eye on the area in question for possible progression. It may have been there for years without progressing and it may not progress now. Possibly we will be back in a year getting it fixed, but maybe not... pretty bummed out to get the news, but life goes on

In other news, we picked a color scheme to deal with the ghosting and are pretty happy with it and think it will turn out to be pretty complimentary to the overall looks of the coach. I am attaching a picture of the graphic artist's mock up of the scheme, but the colors aren't accurate by any means. What looks like a yellow is a tan gold, and the darker blue is really much lighter mettalic blue, the wide stripe and all the graphics are outlined in the same tan gold. The broad stripe which serves as a background for the figures is a gradient from a fairly light metallic blue on the bottom to a light metallic bluish silver. Of course pictures of the actual will follow so you can see for yourself. Also, there are some pictures of the steps after the white paint and the supports made by Rance, and some pictures of the coach being prepped for painting, and the generator hatch.
Hopefully it will all come together, but it is an anxiety provoking process!

Don

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #43 – January 02, 2014, 11:28:58 pm

It's going to look great Don. Gold and blue...and you two are from San Diego...humm. Did the Chargers have anything to do with your color selection? Are those swirls or just softened lighting bolts? If not it must be the subliminal effect of living there for so many years.

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #44 – January 03, 2014, 12:04:07 am

That looks like a great plan Don. They do great work there. I am sure you will be pleased. Speaking of steps I sent mine off to the powder coating shop today myself and I was surprised it only cost $45 to powder coat the whole thing. Will be glad to have that done. Can't wait to see your finished product and meet you two down the road someday.

Mark

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #45 – January 03, 2014, 12:11:51 am

Really like the design you're getting. It will look great! Can't wait to see it when you get to Quartzsite!

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #46 – January 03, 2014, 09:15:51 am

No, John, we chose those colors in spite of the Chargers and any possible association people might make! The blue is the color of our toad (Light blue Honda Fit) and gold seems to be the standard for outlining swirls these days. Still, our gold shade is leaning towards tan and we both like those colors.

It was a tough decision to move away from the forest green because the awnings are that color, but like Don said, we would probably be replacing the awnings way sooner than the paint!

Meanwhile, we are both anxiously awaiting the "unveiling" of the final result today!

Tys and Don

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #47 – January 03, 2014, 09:33:33 am

Thanks Dave! I can't wait to meet you guys and see your work of art in person... Ours is not as dramatic a makeover as yours, but we think (hope!) we will be pleased with the results. Just seeing the headlight conversion makes a huge difference.
Don & Tys

Quote from: Dave Katsuki – January 03, 2014, 12:11:51 am

Really like the design you're getting. It will look great! Can't wait to see it when you get to Quartzsite!

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #48 – January 03, 2014, 09:37:30 am

Thanks Mark! Looking forward to meet you guys down the road and seeing your "U285" Special

that has got to be one of the more unique 99' 270's out there...
Don

Quote from: MAZ – January 03, 2014, 12:04:07 am

That looks like a great plan Don. They do great work there. I am sure you will be pleased. Speaking of steps I sent mine off to the powder coating shop today myself and I was surprised it only cost $45 to powder coat the whole thing. Will be glad to have that done. Can't wait to see your finished product and meet you two down the road someday.

Mark

Re: An Xtreme Christmas, and a shiny New Year

Reply #49 – January 03, 2014, 09:47:28 am

Looks great Don, hope you bought your last coach first with all the effort, time and expense you are going through.

Interesting, on rendering they show the old headlights. WOnder why not showing your new ones? I had delam on U-270 (dryer vent) and had it fixed at Xtreme. Have had delam on front of slide since I bought the coach, still watching and it is not growing.

LOVE those steps. That upgrade is on my radar, along with probably getting the delam taken care of at the same time, probably in next 18 - 24 months.

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