Is Full body paint cost worth it?

[tbomn]

We bought our 03 Adventurer in 2009 and it still looked pretty good with the FG and decals. A year later, and several wax jobs it was looking like crap. Was going to start looking for upgrade coach. Considering cost, and the fact that we really like this 38G, we started looking to have the exterior refurbished. Did some research and found that CDI paint would do the entire exterior, at the factory location in Forest City, IA for a complete price of $12,000. We went ahead and made the move.... After having the factory put on new awnings and slide toppers, the total cost was $14,250. Best move we ever did for the coach. We had them put the paint pattern of a 2012 Journey in colors we picked and it looks like a brand new one.

[Ramzfan]

Tbomm...that's BEAUTIFUL! For $12,000, it's a bargain too. $12,000 is nothing for the enjoyment you will get out of it and the peace of mind about not having to worry about chalking and cracking. I completely stripped and repainted an 88 Itasca Windcruiser once and it took me about a month and cost me about $3,000. That's with doing it all myself and I had the equipment and the building to paint it in. Nowdays, I am sure it would be at least double that amount.

[Busyteach]

We bought a 1999 Roadtrek class B as our first motorhome. It highlighted the difference in gel coating, which the fiberglass raised roof was done,and paint, which was on the rest of the body. Traded it in for a class A coach in 2010 which didn't have the FBP. Recently traded again for Via with FBP. It is worth a lot to step back after you have worked all day (or more) detailing the coach and say, "man, that still looks awesome". The other two really never looked as good as the day were purchased and this really bothers those who pride themselves in taking care of their investment.

[Kathryn]

Originally Posted by tbomn

We bought our 03 Adventurer in 2009 and it still looked pretty good with the FG and decals. A year later, and several wax jobs it was looking like crap... We had them put the paint pattern of a 2012 Journey in colors we picked and it looks like a brand new one.

Hard to believe that is a 10 year old coach!

Kathryn

[Izzyblueye]

From one that has had to replace vinyl graphics. It is not fun, and you can bet unless it is garaged, you will at some time have to. Most polishes and cleaners effect vinyl graphis in a negative way. A paint job can be repaired by almost any one. Graphics have to be ordered by model packages and are expensive not mention a b----h to put on.

[Automobilist]

Having owned both, I'll agree that paint is the superior finish. The bad part is, if you have it done it's going to cost you between $12k-24k...

On a used coach, it really doesn't add anything to the price, so we got ours for free.

Like most options, they really don't add to the value of a used motorhome, but would have cost big bucks to the new buyer.