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Help! 2009 t@b clear coat destroyed

Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13
in Service/Maintenance & Recall Notices
Hello everyone,  We have a 2009 Dutchman t@b. Unfortunately we store it outside and the entire roof clear coat has been destroyed by rain and sun exposure! We want to repair this ourselves if possible! Any thoughts or ideas/input is most welcomed!
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  • johnrjohnr Member Posts: 4
    Jefftab2009, We have a similar issue with our '08. I asked my local dealer who would charge $3000 for the fix (sand it down and respray it). Did you find a solution? Thanks!
    2008 T@B, 2001 Toyota Sequoia, Sandy, Utah
    John & Laura
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  • rcarlson1957rcarlson1957 Member Posts: 212
    You may want to look at self installing a vinyl wrap. I’m getting ready to do mine (just halfway up the front and back due to decal damage. There are many companies out there that sell the vinyl and installation kits. Here’s one. https://www.rvinyl.com/3M-1080-Gloss-Sterling-Silver-RV-Wraps
    2018 TAB 320S Silver/Black
    2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL (AWD) Lunar Silver Metallic
    North Texas
    Trips - 45 Mileage - 57,106
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 4,167
    @rcarlson1957 This is quite interesting, thanks.

    For those of you looking, there are several pages that discuss a "wrap" and the costs, etc.  The 3m product linked by rcarlson above is even sold at Amazon.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13
    We have still not found a solution to our 2009 t@b roof repair.  
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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 9,863
    @Jefftab2009 Check out this post.  https://community.goodsam.com/discussions/motorhomesforum-board/nyalic-as-clear-coat-replacement-on-roof/3083381

    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 9,863
    Have you contacted an Airstream dealer?  They have a lot of aluminum to repair.
    Also, check with local body shop.  

    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13
    Thanks Sharon_is_SAM for the links you have sent. Every bit of info is helpful! Still searching for the best options to fix our roof! Just got another quote to sand, prep,prime,paint,clear and buff out. $7,800 Just for the roof. We are very discouraged.  However we are most likely going to attempt to do it ourselves.  Doing research to figure out all the proper steps. Any information or suggestions would be appreciated. 

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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 9,863
    Well, you can always add a vinyl wrap if the outcome is so-so😁
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • rcarlson1957rcarlson1957 Member Posts: 212
    Jefftab2009, I got the initial wrap material in this week but I'm heading to a rally in Indiana and will tackle it when get back. I did remove all the decals I had on my T@B. I had some big dandelion decals that badly discolored. Unfortunately, it took off the clear coat paint in areas on the front and back of the roof down to the aluminum metal. I will never put another decal on it ever again. So when get back, I'm going to tackle it. From what I gleaned between the internet and my brother who used to paint cars for a living, it's all about the prep and doing that properly. Since there's places where it's down to bare aluminum, going to scuff/sand it, treat it, spray primer it, feather it where it meets the original paint and spray seal it and then install a 7'x5' silver wrap on front and back. If it wasn't for the bare metal think there would be a lot less work. Don't really care that much how it looks were it will be covered by the wrap as long as it smooth and completely clean before I install the wrap over it. The key is getting where it transitions smooth and clean and prepped where the vinyl will adhere properly. If all goes well and I feel confident enough after doing the that, I will order more to do the driver and passenger sides too. I ordered the Avery metallic silver wrap from RVinyl. I may order some black gloss vinyl wrap too to cover the diamond plate in front of camper behind my tub to match my black diamond plate tub and boxes I installed on the tongue. When I get started I'll take some pics and make notes and share them. rcarlson1957
    2018 TAB 320S Silver/Black
    2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL (AWD) Lunar Silver Metallic
    North Texas
    Trips - 45 Mileage - 57,106
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  • Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13
    Here is an update on our progress. We have spent a out 40 hours sanding and preparing the top and most of the trim for primer. We did get 3 coats of primer on and painted most of the trim. We are still trying to find a color match to finish it.
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  • Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13
    Here are some photos of our progress .
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  • Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13

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  • Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13

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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 9,863
    Wow!  Looks great!
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • ScottGScottG Administrator Posts: 5,589
    +1. What a difference!
    2015 T@B S

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  • tabiphiletabiphile Member Posts: 449
    It looks good. What kind of paint was used? How was it applied? How many coats have been applied? Did you roll and tip or spray? If you used a two-part epoxy paint or a marine topside, presumably you will not need to clear coat. Or is that the next step. 
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  • Jefftab2009Jefftab2009 Member Posts: 13
     We used 320 wet and dry sandpaper, vacuumed it all, rinsed with water, degreased with simple green then wiped with a alcohol water solution. Final wipe down with a tack cloth before using an Apollo 3 stage HVLP sprayer. We used Dupli-color paint shop solvent based gray primer. Purchased from Autozone. Used all 3 quarts. We mixed the primer with a reducer about 30% reducer 70% primer, sprayed until I got even coverage.  My guess is at least 5 coats? We are going to be testing a Rustolium solvent based metallic gray in the next couple days to see if it is a close match to the sides. We also might use a GM factory metallic paint color. Still in the testing and searching mode. Will sand the primer and repeat the cleaning process before we paint. We are also still trying to figure out the clear coat as well. It has been challenging but also very rewarding! Very happy with how the primer came out. We also sanded and painted the trim with Rustolium Thunder Cloud rattle cans. I sprayed the trim with the HVLP gun using Dupli-Color clear. Not too happy with this clear. Will most likely re do the clear on the trim when we hopefully find a better brand. I will also be repairing the broken and cracked trim pieces using a plastic welder. There is a lot to do. But looking forward to finishing and getting back to camping! Hope this answered your questions? If you have any other questions or input, please don't hesitate to reach out! I will update again after the next step! 
    Cheers
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  • tabiphiletabiphile Member Posts: 449
    Rustoleum paints are a good option, but you should also take a look at Epifanes topside paints. They are very easy to produce outstanding results with. The paint is durable and will stand up to harsh conditions. It is very easy to work with...and no, no stake in that game.
    Be sure you sand again. Tooth is critical between coats. I would steer clear of simple green when you rinse and tack cloth. 
    Looking good!
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