Full Body Paint vs Gel Coat

[faulfrjr11]

Hello, we are considering purchasing our first RV from Redwood. One area we are struggling with is going with full body paint vs a gel coat.

I know the full body paint comes at a price, is it worth spending the extra? Knowing that we plan on keeping our unit for an extended period of time.

Are there maintenance issues that need to be considered? (full paint or gel coat).

Francis

[RWJSIM2003]

I would go with FBP ours looks as good as the day we picked it up. I wax it at least once a year and have had no issue. I know that some on here have had issues with the Gel Coat fading over time. Not sure how that is on the new units but something to consider.

[travelin' texans]

Unless they've changed AGAIN, unpainted is not an option with RWs, all are painted. Not sure about the Cypress or Seqouia or if they still build them.
The paint is automotive paint so the care is the same as your car/truck, wash & occasional wax, in my opinion well worth the $$.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by faulfrjr11

Hello, we are considering purchasing our first RV from Redwood. One area we are struggling with is going with full body paint vs a gel coat.

I know the full body paint comes at a price, is it worth spending the extra? Knowing that we plan on keeping our unit for an extended period of time.

Are there maintenance issues that need to be considered? (full paint or gel coat).

Francis

We purchased our 2012 36RL (built in Sept. 2011) in what was called a standard finish (gel coat). At the time I thought the extra $6000. to $7000. was more than what I wanted to finance and include in my loan. I really did not have any experience or knowledge about potential issues with gel coat finishes. In hind sight, I now wish I would have made the decision to go with full body paint. The end caps on our coach have faded badly in the 6 1/2 years ownership even though it has been stored inside at least 5 months each year. I had one company provide a verbal quote to paint just the end caps last summer at approximate $4000. I passed on that also. I have decided to try a product called Poli-Glow on the end caps. I can do that product myself next summer.

Hope this helps.

[xtasee]

I am not sure about the 2018 rigs as people here have found that they changed to Sherwin paint. My 2017 has Sikkens with a base coat/clear coat full body paint. Technically the clear coat eliminates the need for waxing. That said, I am sure that the process of waxing deep cleans residue left by just washing and polishes that clear coat to a beautiful shine.

I did put a polymer sealer on and will probably repeat that every year or so...

[atom ant]

Aside from the knock down gorgeous look of FBP, the paint overcomes a lot of woes with RVs, such as gelcoat fading, graphic checking or peeling, and even the vinyl fixtures yellowing or fading (fridge vents, range vent, etc.). With the paint, there are no graphics, exposed gelcoat or vinyl.

The two problems I will say I had with the FBP on our Redwood was the paint covers the caulking so re-seal is going to mess up the paint a little, and replacing parts does require the step of getting them painted. Our fenders cracked and replacements had to go to the paint shop. If you lose a water heater cover, the new one may have to be painted with 2, 3, even 4 colors depending on how the layout is.

Overall, I won't buy unpainted again.

[piper guy]

Same as everyone above. Our coach is now going on 6 years old and I still get asked if it is new when we pull in somewhere. I have it waxed at least once a year (ask ar the Campground, sometimes the local Detailer is very reasonable). If I ever replaced it, I would do FBP again.

As an aside, I was at the Tampa Show a couple weeks ago and 2 of the Redwoods were gelcoat with graphics on the sides. Both had painted front and rear caps and overall didn't look bad. Tim Cress, the GM of Redwood said all non painted coaches will have painted caps.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by piper guy

Same as everyone above. Our coach is now going on 6 years old and I still get asked if it is new when we pull in somewhere. I have it waxed at least once a year (ask ar the Campground, sometimes the local Detailer is very reasonable). If I ever replaced it, I would do FBP again.

As an aside, I was at the Tampa Show a couple weeks ago and 2 of the Redwoods were gelcoat with graphics on the sides. Both had painted front and rear caps and overall didn't look bad. Tim Cress, the GM of Redwood said all non painted coaches will have painted caps.

Vaughn,
That finally makes some sense. But my question is, why did it take Redwood 8 years to realize and admit that there was/is a problem with the gel-coat end caps. They at should have at least had that as an option from the very beginning of operations back in 2010.

I tried to get Redwood to work with me on doing something about the end caps in our 3rd year. The caps were already showing a fade issue. If they would have offered me the option to have them painted then, I would have had it done.

Guy

[NW Snowbirds]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

Unless they've changed AGAIN, unpainted is not an option with RWs, all are painted. Not sure about the Cypress or Seqouia or if they still build them.
The paint is automotive paint so the care is the same as your car/truck, wash & occasional wax, in my opinion well worth the $$.

They changed again! We just looked at a 2017 new unit which was gel coat. Full body paint is once again an option.

[Ford truck guy]

I will take my FBP over any othet option.. always... from the looks, to maintenance, hands down far better

[mhs4771]

RW seems to be doing a lot of "Flip-Flops". When we ordered our '16 MB, the FBP was a mandatory option, so we didn't have a choice, even tho we would have gone FBP.

[Dale & Tracey Fietz]

FBP the only way to go.