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Topic: Best method for buffing the exterior (Read 3640 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #40 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
There are lots of folks that will shine up you coach for $400 or so.  Precision does a complete fluff and buff detail. Precision spent three whole days on our coach.  They washed it, compounded the roof (needed it) and the rest of it and then waxed and polished it. They polished all of the aluminum awning arms and awning covers.  They cleaned the insides of all of the bay doors.  The cleaned and painted the insides of the wheel wheels.  The did the tires with 303. They cleaned the wheels, caps and lug nut covers (no polish on the Durabright Alcoas).  They cleaned all the windows.  They even cleaned all of the bay door handles grooves with a small brush (tooth brush).

It is the difference between an automatic car wash and a full on detail shop. You get what you pay for.  It was good for us. 

Agreed, I was just taken aback as to how far I was off in thinking what a buffing would cost.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #41 –
I'm sure the condition has an affect on price Roger, but it's not like I'm bringing them a 1984 winne 😂 The drivers side of my coach took most of the sun, and may need some wet sanding first, but not 2.5CBs worth.

I'm sure your 01 was much in better condition then my 99 without a doubt, but it's coming along and I love it.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #42 –
I have had many collector cars over the years and view my 95 FT U320 the same way. It is not new and I had one before but these have a soul. I will wash and wax and maybe new decals but a new total paint just seems too much to me!

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #43 –
I agree Nigel, there's another member on the forum that got new graphics put on by Bayou Graphics, they're in Houston I believe, for a little over 1CB. He said they did a great job, and they even removed the upper and lower decals for that price. I believe it was a 99 or 2000.

They're on my list also...

Houston Fleet Wrap | Vehicle Wrap Houston | Fleet Wraps Houston TX

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #44 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Looking at the pictures - RV-12? DO they contract build them too or just paint? Nice work.
Tim,
They build them for themselves with several other models seen in the Aero Club video. Not sure if it was the standard or quick build kit. They appeared to have all the right masks, etc.

The guy that I work with here is probably the leading specialist for XXX airplanes in the whole world. He sprays Emron all the time but until I came along, he just used a regular mask, no suit, no air supply for breathing and all in a small room that the wings fit into. Unless someone belongs to the EAA and works as a team, I expect most shops stateside that shoot car or airplane paint with Isocyanates don't have the full needed protection unless forced by OSHA. My friend still won't spend the $$ on a suit.

In Mexico or here, the amount of stripping, taping, types of primers, paint dictate the cost for the job. I've seen some OK jobs on seats, etc here and in Mexico. I wanted the seats to look EXACTLY like the OEM vinyl Ultraleather but with a little heavier duty material. I carefully went over the stitching, folds, pleats, etc and came back each day to check the work. When done, it was even better than I had expected. This avoids the disappointments. There are shops for Foretravels that have done enough of them so they know what the owners will expect but along with this knowledge goes a high price tag. Hey, if you want all the ladders, awnings removed, the Algodones shops will also do that. It's part of knowing what to expect and communicating it.

So, if you want a good job, get involved, very involved. If you want an airline quality job like in Monterrey, Mexico with huge hangers, state of the art equipment, etc. resulting in a perfect job or an beachside repaint for little money, it's your decision. Just take the time to come up to speed on everything involved whether here or there. It's just not that hard to spend a few hours and study the subject. I always research as much as possible but also listen closely to others for their input. No need to reinvent the wheel.

As you say, rent, regulations, cost of labor, etc all add up to what the shop charges. But when the cost of living is much less in that location, it's usually possible to stretch your $$ pretty far. If the shop owners live in McMansions, you have to pay for their lifestyles. If they live in more humble abodes, the prices reflect this.

When we had a big sailboat built in Taiwan, we could have just taken the stock boat the way it was designed. We opted to have very intricate dragons carved on all of the doors. The chart table was also not exactly as I wanted it plus I felt the water tanks needed much more bracing in order to not come loose in rough weather. The carving on the doors cost $14/ea additional and the other charges were minimal. I had seen other boats done this way and took advice when I could find it. I then communicated to the builders exactly what I wanted done. In the end, everyone was happy. They only thing they would not do was replace the damm Perkins engine.

Pierce

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #45 –
$400 will get your moneys worth of compounding and waxing.  Buffing is not the same as a full detail.  Price is not either.  Do what you want.

Another thread that took a left turn.