GETTING A NEW PAINT JOB
While in our 2nd week in Mexico we saw some
motor homes and trailers in pretty bad shape (paintwise) getting painted
while sitting out in the RV Park. In spite of the conditions....wind,
sand, salt air.....the final results turned out looking so good. We
asked for an estimate to do ours, both dollars and time. The price
couldn't be passed up and we were told it would take 5 full days, maybe 6 to
do the job, so we agreed. We had already planned to stay another week,
so decided to extend another and get the job done.
Below is a pictoral following of the job.
We are immensely pleased with the final result. We did have to stay in
Mexico a full month to get it finished as it may have only been 6 full days
of work, but when they work on it 2 hours and leave to come back manana, it
takes longer.
THE PAINTERS
Our main painter was "Antonio" he had as
helpers at different times a girl (we never knew her name), the old man (we
learned he was another Antonio) and Juan. All better at some things
than others. None as good as Antonio the painter, and none as
industrious as he. Antonio's "work car" belies his ability. He
is an artist, but the car is suspect.
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The girl taking off the decals
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Antonio (on the right) with Juan
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The old man
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Antonio's work car
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He says he has a new van for his "regular" car
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BEFORE
The stripes were decals that had deteriorated
from the years in the sun. They were very faded, cracked and peeling
off. The gray part was so sun faded it was very dull, and if you tried to buff it, the gray
wore thru. Some damage created by us, some it had when we bought in
2003. All in all, many dings, nicks and other things that gave this
coach the character it had. A gouged bumper, a replaced fender that
was never painted, cargo door damage, a new hot water heater that required
the door be changed and it was never painted and so on.....
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Driver's side "before"
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Cracked & peeling decals
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Original decal stripes and colors
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What they had become
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Bumper dings
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Door panel replaced after damage, new hot water heater door
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New fender needs painting
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DURING
Some shots of taping off, primering, actual painting, with
clear coat and removing the tape while the job was being accomplished....you
can imagine the wind speed by looking at the palm tree in a couple of the
pictures.
THE AFTER
We area so pleased with the final outcome. In spite of painting
outdoors, sometimes in gale force winds, the finish is smooth and the coach
has a "new" look.
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New stripes
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Wow...the back end has no dings or damage repairs
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Such a nice finish now
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