nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 28, 2015 19:20:39 GMT -8
It may sound silly, but I'm reading different things about painting the roof. Some say the aluminum flexes too much for paint. Others say nobody in their right mind would paint a camper and not paint the roof.  Any thoughts? |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 28, 2015 19:52:51 GMT -8
The flat roofs were not originally painted on the brands I have seen.
I would paint up the front and rear until the roof "is flat", then leave it bare.
That said, you really will not be saving much paint, so you could just spray the whole thing and be done.
If the aluminum "flexes too much" for the paint to stay on the roof, why does it stick to the walls, it's the same aluminum, same thickness, etc.? Hint.....It's all about the time spent during paint prep.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 29, 2015 5:08:32 GMT -8
It would be just as easy to spray the roof as tape it off. Unlike the walls, the roof has no screws so I imagine it will flex more in the wind. But if nobody has had issues with it, I guess I could go either way.
I wonder about a Compact roof being unpainted because it's so small. With that said, I don't see any trace of factory paint on the roof now.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 29, 2015 12:45:38 GMT -8
No trace of paint on mine either between the two roof seams. But like I said before, mine had worn off so much, there was very little anywhere. I haven't paint that part yet. I mopped it a couple of days ago but the pollen is falling and dandelions floating here that I can't do anything unless I set up a temporary cover.
I see no problem with the paint staying on the roof. All of the aluminum flexes.
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pathfinder3081
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Apr 29, 2015 12:51:54 GMT -8
I have two years on mine.. no problem.. I rolled the roof on, two coats. I would paint your roof man. You dont want to leave that area as exposed aluminum and then paint the rest of it. You can always leave it bare for a year and see how you like it..
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 29, 2015 13:14:26 GMT -8
If I had a Toaster with a high flat roof I wouldn't paint it. But my concern is that an unpainted roof on a Compact will be noticed. I thought it best to ask others what they've done and what worked/didn't work. Since nobody has had a problem with peeling paint, I guess that's my answer. Thanks.
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yas
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Post by yas on Apr 29, 2015 13:39:58 GMT -8
I painted the roof on our Compact. It was hard to lean out far enough to keep the spray gun perpendicular to the surface, but it's the roof - the paint job doesn't have to be perfect up there. There's probably a trick I don't know - like laying a board across to lean on. I did as much as I could from the front and the back, where it shows the most.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 29, 2015 15:37:40 GMT -8
I painted the roof on our Compact. It was hard to lean out far enough to keep the spray gun perpendicular to the surface, but it's the roof - the paint job doesn't have to be perfect up there. There's probably a trick I don't know - like laying a board across to lean on. I did as much as I could from the front and the back, where it shows the most. That is the biggest problem in painting your roof. If you order new metal for your roof it comes already painted in Polar White. So you are covered... Here is a new roof on the 54 Aljoa. The top looks exactly the same.    |
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 29, 2015 17:45:30 GMT -8
NC, I walked to the end of our long driveway and could see where my roof is not painted. I really had to be way back there and look to notice, but then I am short.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 29, 2015 19:04:32 GMT -8
NC, I walked to the end of our long driveway and could see where my roof is not painted. I really had to be way back there and look to notice, but then I am short. Well that answers it. I'm 6' tall and it would drive me nuts to see it unpainted. Yas, Your camper looked great. Did you notice the imperfections from ground level? Mobiltec, I wonder if paying for new skin all around makes sense in most cases. With white, I could just paint a mid-section design. It would save a huge amount of work. I may go with polished Hemet Valley skin next time and paint a stripe. |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 29, 2015 19:23:48 GMT -8
NC, I walked to the end of our long driveway and could see where my roof is not painted. I really had to be way back there and look to notice, but then I am short. Well that answers it. I'm 6' tall and it would drive me nuts to see it unpainted. Yas, Your camper looked great. Did you notice the imperfections from ground level? Mobiltec, I wonder if paying for new skin all around makes sense in most cases. With white, I could just paint a mid-section design. It would save a huge amount of work. I may go with polished Hemet Valley skin next time and paint a stripe. There's a lot of variables to consider.
If we are talking about a "top tier" quality level, I think you will find it is actually cheaper to replace the skin, than it is to do a quality paint job. I reskin all of my rebuilds, because of the high cost of paint/materials/labor. It's not even cheap to prime, and spray for graphics.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 29, 2015 19:44:32 GMT -8
If we are talking about a "top tier" quality level, I think you will find it is actually cheaper to replace the skin, than it is to do a quality paint job. I reskin all of my rebuilds, because of the high cost of paint/materials/labor. It's not even cheap to prime, and spray for graphics.
I never thought it through until I saw your camper photos. (Thanks Larry.) The polished skin looks great with the graphic. What did the new skin cost you? I think somebody mentioned Hemet Valley charges around $1800 for a Shasta? I may be getting it wrong, but that's a far cry from $3000 for a professional paint job. And with a pro paint job there is often a lot of filler. I don't really believe in Bondo on such thin aluminum. I know, I know, I'm the only one who thinks this way. What can I say? |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 29, 2015 20:31:53 GMT -8
John do you want to explain the problem with the polished aluminum from Hemet RV? Sorry folks there is one slight problem with one certain product there regarding polished aluminum. If John doesn't want to explain it I will and I have photos also.
John?
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 29, 2015 21:00:24 GMT -8
John do you want to explain the problem with the polished aluminum from Hemet RV? Sorry folks there is one slight problem with one certain product there regarding polished aluminum. If John doesn't want to explain it I will and I have photos also. John? It shows water mark's and bird droppings, and is hard to clean. I really doubt it's any different than the coating on the painted aluminum, but it shows up more on the polished skin.
The disadvantage to bare aluminum that is polished, is that it will oxidize, but it can be easily re-polished.
The problem with the "clear coated" polished aluminum, is that it's not easy to clean, and you do not want to rub through the clear coat.
My trailer sit's outside 365 days a year, unprotected, so durability is an important consideration.
I'm still considering using the pre-polished skin on my current Deville build. For the small additional cost, it gives more "bling for the dollar" than anything else you could do to a vintage trailer. I also like their polished pebble finished rock guard material.
You have to choose your poison, nothings perfect.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Apr 30, 2015 5:04:53 GMT -8
How bad are the marks? Slight or terrible? Larry, any photos?
John, do the marks wash off with water?
It is major Bing for the Buck...new skin and very little painting.
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