Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

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Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

February 01, 2019, 11:24:38 am

I'm trying to get as much information as I can concerning paint checking/crazing on Foretravel Motorhomes, especially years 2002-2008.

Have any forum members had this problem on their coach?

Is the problem only cosmetic? or will it eventually cause structural problems, like delamination.

Is there a fix that is permanent?

Thanks in Advance!!

John A Meents

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #1 – February 01, 2019, 11:35:31 am

No first hand info but the darker colors have more problems,others will answer soon.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #2 – February 01, 2019, 11:57:58 am

Big problem in the high line Monaco motorhomes also the same years. My boss always told me, "expensive to fix correctly, and it will come back", therefore we would never fix. We would discount the RV 15-20 thousand dollars and that usually made the issue go away.

I'd call, and ask for Teresa Smith, please mention I suggested the call. The will have had experience repairing this.
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Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #3 – February 01, 2019, 12:27:43 pm

Can you take a couple of pics?

Many coaches had this problem: this off a Blue Bird. It's that plastic 'bug shield'.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #4 – February 01, 2019, 01:02:54 pm

Crazing is starting to appear in the dark red and black of my 2003. Fiortunately it's still minor and I have little of those colors.

I'm told it's in the gel coat. I'll live with it.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #5 – February 01, 2019, 01:06:06 pm

Mike,

I'm considering buying a 2007 Foretravel 36' Nimbus. I live in Texas, and the Coach is in California. I've been told by the seller it has some checking/crazing on dark colors-I'm waiting for them to send me some images. If I get the images, I will post them.

Thanks!!!

John

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #6 – February 01, 2019, 01:06:48 pm

I have it.. Can be sanded and repainted but eventually it comes back. Dont think any issues besides looks.. It comes from the hot summers and dark colors.. Not as bad on the lighter colors..

Mine is a 2002 in the hot nevada desert

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #7 – February 01, 2019, 01:21:49 pm

Our 03 has it in the black swooshes on the sunny side. When we purchased it, we had Xtreme sand it all out and repaint. Crazing came back within a couple of years.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #8 – February 01, 2019, 01:52:34 pm

The crazing happens with different expansion rates of the adjoining bodywork due to the different colors' heat absorption. The only fix to to use similar colors .
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Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #9 – February 01, 2019, 02:22:42 pm

As was stated it was the Dow Fiberglass

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #10 – February 01, 2019, 03:13:07 pm

Quote from: mike leary – February 01, 2019, 12:27:43 pm

Can you take a couple of pics? Many coaches had this problem: this off a Blue Bird. It's that plastic 'bug shield'.

Mike,

Seller sent me one image, but it has too many reflections to show anything. The problem on the coach I'm looking at is not a plastic bug shield or Diamond Shield problem, I believe it is an outgassing problem with the fiberglass under the dark colors-either a problem with the fiberglass itself or not letting things cure long enough before gel coating the fiberglass, and then painting and top coating over it. I'm not sure this is the correct description of the cause.

Thanks,

John

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #11 – February 01, 2019, 03:25:46 pm

Work the paint problem into the selling price and forget it,it's not going to rust and you will enjoy a trip just as much as with a flawless paint job.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #12 – February 01, 2019, 03:36:26 pm

Its also a common problem in the years mentioned.. nothing to stress over.. get a discount.. The bones are good.. If not, buy a monaco that shines well and fix everything as you drive it because it will fall apart on the road.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #13 – February 01, 2019, 04:14:08 pm

The entire industry had the same cracking issues. Only in the dark painted hot areas

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #14 – February 01, 2019, 05:36:03 pm

Straight white gel-coat rocks, trust me, right Bob?....

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #15 – February 01, 2019, 05:40:20 pm

Every boat in the harbor is white gel coat for a reason. The big steel ships have gens on 24/7

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #16 – February 01, 2019, 06:12:43 pm

Quote from: gracerace – February 01, 2019, 05:36:03 pm

Straight white gel-coat rocks, trust me, right Bob?....

Except for the polishing .. all is well

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #17 – February 01, 2019, 06:16:05 pm

Quote from: DavidS – February 01, 2019, 06:12:43 pm

Except for the polishing .. all is well

Once done, it's done, unless left out in harsh weather, then paint takes it worse....

But you are correct, 250+ hours, ask me how I know, and it was shinny to start with....

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #18 – February 01, 2019, 07:11:29 pm

Chris when can I bring mine up?

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #19 – February 01, 2019, 07:54:49 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – February 01, 2019, 07:11:29 pm

Chris when can I bring mine up?

Lets see, $90.00 hrs (brother in-law price) X 250 hrs....I am in......But you are always welcome to visit for free

....

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #20 – February 01, 2019, 11:02:38 pm

Chris 250+ hours, what we're using to buff? a q-tip LOL. Unfortunately my front badly weathered decal/stripe stains go apparently all the way thru the gelcoat, and I think I will have to wrap the front cap where the badly weathered graphics/stains were. Wrap on the cap has it's advantages I keep telling myself, as it takes the brunt of road travel damage. Wanted to have an all naked (white gelcoat coach) but I guess thats not going to happen.

just going to have to live my glossy side stripes and glossy 30 year old gelcoat.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #21 – February 01, 2019, 11:06:29 pm

Foretravel switched to a max guard 29 gel coat around 95-96 per the spec sheets.

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #22 – February 02, 2019, 11:46:20 am

If it makes you all feel better, ours had a complete strip, new paint and stripes done about six years ago. I've stayed n top of it with Megular's, but living in the Arizona sun, I can see the dark green decals starting to fail, especially on the nose!

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #23 – February 02, 2019, 11:48:43 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – February 01, 2019, 11:06:29 pm

Foretravel switched to a max guard 29 gel coat around 95-96 per the spec sheets.

Bob, would you happen to know the Build Number perhaps, somehow, or could I contact the Factory to find out what product they used, looks like that company is still in Business! Thanks!

Re: Has anyone had a problem with paint checking/crazing on their Foretravel Coach?

Reply #24 – February 02, 2019, 11:59:09 am

In 1997, I believe it was a U-320 42' rolled into the Escondido store, from Nacogdoches. As the Acceptance Inspection was going on, Blisters were Immediately detected, then some Delamination, as well! It was the First Factory Painted Coach, as I was told, and it was there at our lot for only a day or three. It went back to the Factory, for repairs. I'd say that the Dark Colors can be detrimental to our Coaches, possibly because of the Technique used to Bond our Coaches, in the Vacubond Process? They could have found a solution, I wished I could quote just what that was? It was a Dark Blue, as I recall? Looked Gorgeous but had issues! I'd contact the factory, and ask for specific guidance as to Paint... Process, or Type perhaps, before applying it! I am sure the Bugs got worked out, as many since have paint!

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