U280 remodel just wanted to show it

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U280 remodel just wanted to show it

August 24, 2018, 11:48:03 am

Hi I have almost completely redone our U280 tell me what you think
We actually Rolled on automotive paint looks great, new blinds new curtains, fixed old paneling new refrigerator, new recliners from Brads awesome. all new air bags, brakes, bearings, anything that was wrong took 2 years , new flooring toilet . Any way we got more in it than we could sell it for but she is solid and runs great.
We had to make our own tables since Foretravel does not make them anymore.
Heres some old and new pics
Please tell is if were crazy for doing all this,,
Rick Maddox
509-939-0740
rlmlimited@comcast.net

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #1 – August 24, 2018, 12:09:46 pm

Rick

If you like it, and take care of it you can enjoy a high quality coach for years - whatever you have in it is far less than the depreciation most people suffer when they drive their new gas Winnebago off the lot from the dealer

enjoy your coach, welcome to the forum, looks VERY nice in the pictures, stay in touch here, a great group of people...

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #2 – August 24, 2018, 12:14:54 pm

Very well done. Now it is time to enjoy it and the work you have put into it.

Roger

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #3 – August 24, 2018, 12:19:47 pm

You could put $10,000 in an old Foretravel and enjoy a lot of time in a coach that won't let you down or you could buy a newer SOB and lose $10,000 in depreciation as soon as you drive it off the lot and still have thousands for repair on shoddy work and poor quality materials.
Stay the course with the Foretravel. It won't let you down.

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #4 – August 24, 2018, 12:25:57 pm

Great updates, Rick. Get in that thing and GO !!

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #5 – August 24, 2018, 12:43:52 pm

Beautiful job. Now you have a coach better than anything you can buy for what you have in it. You can see older coaches at the factory being refurbished so you are not the only one to appreciate the reliability and value these coaches enjoy. Now all you have to do is go camping!

Keith

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #6 – August 24, 2018, 12:44:27 pm

NO! You are not crazy!

That paint job looks great in the photo. I don't think I have ever read of any members in the past using that painting technique, so congrats on taking a fresh approach! We would hope to cross paths with you guys some day, and see it in person.

You have done the same as many of us on this Forum - purchased a fine old Foretravel coach for pennies on the (original) dollar, and then poured a great deal of time and effort (and cash) into making it what you want. I personally feel there is a lot more satisfaction to be gained from this approach, rather than buying a new coach. Hope you enjoy many miles of smiles from your investment!

PS: If you haven't already done so, get those mirrors and wheels polished. No matter where you live or travel, there is usually a truck stop nearby where you will find someone offering the polishing service. It's not (normally) very expensive, and really improves the looks of any coach. Last time we had it done, it took about 30 minutes (4 wheels + mirrors) and cost $40.

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #7 – August 24, 2018, 01:26:54 pm

Rick- you did it your way and it looks great. Fire it up and use it for what it is designed for "For Travel".

Welcome to the forum and hope to cya down the road sometime- perhaps at Quartzite in January?

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #8 – August 24, 2018, 05:30:48 pm

Rick, What a good idea for a new look. You are on the right track to enjoying a classic that fits and feels good to you. Most of us with "more mature" coaches will agree that you are miles ahead of the SOB owners who try to update and remodel their sticks and staples RV. Thanks for sharing the pics and ideas! Now, Floor it!

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #9 – August 25, 2018, 12:50:26 am

Did the hull and deck of a sailboat in the 80's using that technique - Awlgrip paint. Some people thought it was a spray job. Too old for that now. Looks great. Really like the white chairs, are they new, where did you get them, and are they fastened to the floor?
Edit: OK looked again,. the recliners are from Brads Awesome, not sure who or where that is.

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #10 – August 25, 2018, 02:19:13 am

Looks nice, I've also done a "Foam Roller" job, with the right paint, and multiple thin coats mine worked great for what it was. We're only talking older rigs of course. Now it's time to get her rolling!

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #11 – August 25, 2018, 10:56:53 am

To answer your question, Yes! You are crazy for doing this, and that is a wonderful thing. When I was younger, a friend of my dad's started building an airplane in his basement. When I first saw the fuselage, I asked the obvious question, "How are you going to get this out of here?" He answered that he would worry about that when the time came.

Several years later he hired a concrete cutting company, and cut out the basement wall. He ended up with a walkout sliding door in his basement and one of the best built Pitts Specials I have ever seen.

Crazy!

Len

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #12 – August 25, 2018, 04:47:17 pm

Really nice job! Oh, I like the white paint, I did ours too!

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #13 – August 25, 2018, 08:53:04 pm

Looking good

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #14 – August 26, 2018, 09:01:04 pm

I love the clean crisp white nakeds, I was heartbroken when I removed my weathered nose decals and the adhesive stain went all the way through the gelcoat, all of the other stripe decals are in 95% condition, but still want naked. Graphics "date" coaches. Love monochromatic cars.

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #15 – August 29, 2018, 08:48:10 am

Quote from: ricker – August 24, 2018, 11:48:03 am

Hi I have almost completely redone our U280 tell me what you think
We actually Rolled on automotive paint looks great, new blinds new curtains, fixed old paneling new refrigerator, new recliners from Brads awesome. all new air bags, brakes, bearings, anything that was wrong took 2 years , new flooring toilet . Any way we got more in it than we could sell it for but she is solid and runs great.
We had to make our own tables since Foretravel does not make them anymore.
Heres some old and new pics
Please tell is if were crazy for doing all this,,
Rick Maddox
509-939-0740 Great job. Look's great!!!! What brand of paint did you use???
rlmlimited@comcast.net

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #16 – August 29, 2018, 09:53:16 am

Looks great. I hate my FBP in a off white. Maybe I can use the same method .

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #17 – September 25, 2018, 07:37:34 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – August 29, 2018, 09:53:16 am

Looks great. I hate my FBP in a off white. Maybe I can use the same method .

Roll and Tipping can give excellent results, best if you tag team it. Roll and Tip (Apply paint by roller to get uniform coverage; tip off with brush to eliminate air bubbles and roller marks. Start by rolling an area approx. 24" x 24", then have your partner tip it with a dry brush or foam brush, use very little, to no pressure, just enuf to break the air bubbles and let the paint flow out. The person rolling can move on to the next area keeping a wet edge. The main technique is to tip quickly before paint can skin. If you develop the knack, this can produce a finish with NO roller or brush marks, and certainly no mistakes that can be seen from more than 18 inches away. Best gloss from this technique.) You can practice on old metal or fiberglass parts, even cardboard.

Neal

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #18 – September 29, 2018, 09:10:44 pm

Nice 20 foot paint job. I'm a fan of saving $10K.
I recently painted an ultralight airplane using only the brush paint and tip method. The looked and plane flew great and saved $10K worth of labor and material.

Re: U280 remodel just wanted to show it

Reply #19 – October 01, 2018, 04:21:29 pm

Rick,
Your coach looks nice. Was the paint a water base paint?

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