violamomof4
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1954 Jewel
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Post by violamomof4 on Dec 29, 2018 17:06:26 GMT -8
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Dec 29, 2018 19:25:22 GMT -8
I save the skin if it doesn’t need much (if any) body filler. I’m not a fan of filler on thin skin that ungulates in the wind at highway speeds. Others may disagree.
Another factor is whether you want 2-3 weeks of stripping paint. If chemicals don’t bother you, using the old skin will save money. It costs $1800-$2000 for new skin from Hemit Valley RV.
I like to reuse the jrail. The old jrail is slightly wider. Depending on the camper, you may need a shrinker/stretcher to bend new jrail.
One downside of new skin is it makes the camper look…well…new. If one more person calls our camper a “Knock off” I’ll have a breakdown.
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HOTRODPRIMER
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Post by HOTRODPRIMER on Dec 29, 2018 19:25:47 GMT -8
In my opinion it really depends on the individual, like anything vintage it can only be original once and if the siding is in good shape I wouldn't replace but if your looking to make it look brand new or the siding is just too beat up replacing it may be the best route. Danny
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Post by danrhodes on Dec 29, 2018 20:52:13 GMT -8
For me, the skin was the most valuable part of the trailer. The rest was a build your own trailer kit of rot. We like the character that the dents bring...today I toured an rv lot while waiting for a car repair and was disappointed in how sterile everything looked.
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violamomof4
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Post by violamomof4 on Dec 29, 2018 20:58:42 GMT -8
I save the skin if it doesn’t need much (if any) body filler. I’m not a fan of filler on thin skin that ungulates in the wind at highway speeds. Others may disagree. Another factor is whether you want 2-3 weeks of stripping paint. If chemicals don’t bother you, using the old skin will save money. It costs $1800-$2000 for new skin from Hemit Valley RV. I like to reuse the jrail. The old jrail is slightly wider. Depending on the camper, you may need a shrinker/stretcher to bend new jrail. One downside of new skin is it makes the camper look…well…new. If one more person calls our camper a “Knock off” I’ll have a breakdown. Very good points. Did you see the pictures I included? We originally were going to use the original skin but my brother in law who is a Porsche mechanic said we’d see all the imperfections in the skin. Now I’m thinking those imperfections might be a good thing. Thanks so much!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Dec 30, 2018 6:11:28 GMT -8
Some people see small imperfections as marks of character and others see them as just making the camper look beat-up.
The advantage for new skin is very little chemical work, no body filler and it fits the new (repaired) surface. If you're using the old skin you save a lot of money but need to be exact about the repairs.
On a personal note, small imperfections don't bother me. But your brother-in-law is right about a new paint job showing every bump and bruise. Especially a high gloss top coat. What kind of paint were you hoping to use?
I've used oil based enamel paint that hides imperfections with a satin like finish:
And single stage PPG automotive paint which is better with new skin:
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violamomof4
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Post by violamomof4 on Dec 30, 2018 7:33:57 GMT -8
Some people see small imperfections as marks of character and others see them as just making the camper look beat-up.
The advantage for new skin is very little chemical work, no body filler and it fits the new (repaired) surface. If you're using the old skin you save a lot of money but need to be exact about the repairs.
On a personal note, small imperfections don't bother me. But your brother-in-law is right about a new paint job showing every bump and bruise. Especially a high gloss top coat. What kind of paint were you hoping to use?
I've used oil based enamel paint that hides imperfections with a satin like finish:
And single stage PPG automotive paint which is better with new skin: Thank you so much! Your advice is awesome. According to my pictures I posted, how does my jewel compare to yours before u painted it? She looks amazing. You did a great job. Thanks a ton!!!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Dec 30, 2018 10:53:44 GMT -8
From what I can see, your skin looks worth saving. But it's hard to tell unless you're close. Photos can be deceiving. Post the worst few spots shot in good light up close.
On my Compact we replaced the front and rear skin under the windows and reused the rest.
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violamomof4
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Post by violamomof4 on Dec 30, 2018 10:56:16 GMT -8
From what I can see, your skin looks worth saving. But it's hard to tell unless you're close. Photos can be deceiving. Post the worst few spots shot in good light up close.
On my Compact we replaced the front and rear skin under the windows and reused the rest.
Thanks for the before and after. Was very helpful. I’ll send some pics for you in a little bit. Did you paint yours or did you have yours painted?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Dec 30, 2018 10:59:00 GMT -8
I painted them myself.
Check out these threads:
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Post by danrhodes on Dec 30, 2018 19:55:06 GMT -8
I was sitting in the garage today, thinking about this thread and staring at the back of my camper. I never realized how many dents and dings and hammer marks I had on there but after a while, you don't really notice. If you're not reselling or looking for rally prizes, old skin is cool.
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violamomof4
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Post by violamomof4 on Dec 30, 2018 19:59:41 GMT -8
I was sitting in the garage today, thinking about this thread and staring at the back of my camper. I never realized how many dents and dings and hammer marks I had on there but after a while, you don't really notice. If you're not reselling or looking for rally prizes, old skin is cool. Thank you sooooo much!!! I think we agree. You can only be original once! We aren’t fixing her up to sell...she’s for Keeps.
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jeremiah
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Post by jeremiah on Dec 31, 2018 6:31:45 GMT -8
I was sitting in the garage today, thinking about this thread and staring at the back of my camper. I never realized how many dents and dings and hammer marks I had on there but after a while, you don't really notice. If you're not reselling or looking for rally prizes, old skin is cool.
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jeremiah
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Post by jeremiah on Dec 31, 2018 6:47:31 GMT -8
Just read this post and brought to mind rally prizes. What catagory ? Best original , best restored, best remanufactured ? Several trailer threads here are actually trailers that have been remanufactured. Very few original parts. Should these be in the same catagory ? Beautiful work, but are they an original or original looking? I attended a rally on Arizona where a fantastic trailer won best of show but the owner stated the only original parts were 4 window parts. EVERYTHING else was bought or made by hand in the build, Including a new built frame. I'm totally satisfied when people see my original (repaired) trailer with original skin and say "nice" what year is it and where did you get it ?
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violamomof4
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Post by violamomof4 on Dec 31, 2018 6:49:51 GMT -8
Very good point. The majority of our trailer IS original, thankfully. But I definitely see your point.
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