Paint Job

[jim solo]

I am going to try to paint my RV, ( named it : Solo ). What suggestions or colors are best, or least offending. Mostly I see white, to reflect the Suns
heat I assume. I know I won't be able to get it to look original with decals and all. I thought about doing it to look like horse drawn wagon of the old west.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Gloss white will reflect the sun's heat best, so will keep the interior cooler.
The darker the color the hotter the interior (flat black is the hottest).
The color of the dirt where you are will keep the van looking clean longer.
Earth tones make you blend in with the forest.  Camo even more so.
Yellows, oranges, reds, magentas are more noticeable, as is black (sometimes).
Graphics and lettering make the van stand out and easier to remember.

Color depends on where you stay and what your goals are (e.g. cooler, blend in, stand out, personalize).

Professionally painted or do-it-yourself?

 

[highdesertranger]

my personal preference is military Desert Sand 30277. it's a flat paint or what they call lusterless.

it's cheap, easy to spray, it's durable and you can get it in spray cans or by the quart or gallon. of course it's not for everybody. I find that the color blends well in both desert and forest environments.

as far as the graphics go I think they look tacky, not just on yours but all of them.

highdesertranger

 

[jim solo]

I was thinking Camo of some sort, earth tones, oak leaves, tree bark, in that area. Spray paint and stencils. It is Beige tone and titled in that color at the moment. The previous owner painted one side with odd light yellow color with pink undertones. The best side has some of the original decals, was going to copy back on to the repainted side.  Desert Sand 30277 sounds good, I'll get a sample and see how it looks. I'll be painting it myself, more to preserve the body. I have some lady friends, sisters, that are artist and am trying to get one or both of them to a mural on the drive side with air-brushes. I just got to get that yellowish pink off of it.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Camo will COOK you in the desert compared to white.

Were that mine, I would wet-sand VERY lightly on the brown parts with windex bottle full of water (spray spray) and a piece of 1200 in my hand. JUST scratch till it turns darker brown and move on. Then polishing compound and one of the floor waxes or automotive waxes of your choice.

My RV from 1986 looked EXACTLY like that when I bought it. Milky and ancient.

I also was planning to paint it.

After a wet sand and polish, it turned out looking a lot better than I thought possible.
(The trick is the ultra light touch with the wetsanding. The second you get color in the water, STOP and spray...then move on.)

Even in the open weather it took 5 years for the refinish to "wear off" and return to milky.

I also noticed something after looking @ more than 20 used Class A's.
"Painted" RV's, even cleverly painted RV's, have about zero resale.
Even with the patina, an original finish that looks like it has wax on it will be worth more.
(May not matter to you, but its something to at least consider.)

 

[jim solo]

I think I will stick to Leaf camo in desert color tones.
Not sure how big to make the stencils for the leaves,
or what species to use, I'll mix them up. Might even
throw in a Cactus or Yukka plant.

 

[highdesertranger]

actually the military found out that in the desert a solid sand color works better than a camo pattern. that's why on all the military vehicles they have gone to one color for the desert. highdesertranger

 

[ckelly78z]

With a nickname of "Solo", it would only be prudent to paint it like this;

https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Millennium-Falcon-Model/dp/B0013J5QQ0

 

[jim solo]

ckelly78z wrote : With a nickname of "Solo", it would only be prudent to paint it like this; ( millennium falcon )

I use Solo, because I live alone. Will be traveling alone. I like people, but don't get personal with many.
The Millennium Falcon would make a nice mural on the empty side of my rig. Desert Sand paint and a
dust cloud with the Millennium Falcon Bursting out of the sand. That would look good, may try it.

 

[RobK]

What about a light grey? My trailer is grey and I find it can be nearly hidden in the trees. White trailers are a dime a dozen and alway stick out.

 

[MrNoodly]

Gloss white will reflect the sun's heat best, so will keep the interior cooler.

Metallic silver would be a close second.

 

[jim solo]

Posted by RobK  - What about a light grey? My trailer is grey and I find it can be nearly hidden in the trees. White trailers are a dime a dozen and alway stick out.

The DMV of Virginia has to have vehicle color stated on the title. It say Beige color on it and would cost me a $100 to have it changed, that is the cost of paint almost. DMV the place you have to kiss so much ass, that you get chapped lips and bad breath. Could say I'm color blind, while in front of a small town judge. Either way they take money out of my pocket. That kind of bad breath is hard to get rid of.

 

[highdesertranger]

Dang are you serious. that is ridiculous. highdesertranger

 

[Weldman]

The DMV of Virginia has to have vehicle color stated on the title. It say Beige color on it and would cost me a $100 to have it changed, that is the cost of paint almost. DMV the place you have to kiss so much ass, that you get chapped lips and bad breath. Could say I'm color blind, while in front of a small town judge. Either way they take money out of my pocket. That kind of bad breath is hard to get rid of.

That would be easily to prosecute you for perjury too for doing that, last I recalled you took a color blind test to get your DL. Though me being me I would paint it anyways and give the middle finger while signing the ticket (if you ever get one).
 I have thought about highdesertrangers idea of the paint color Desert Sand 30277 on my truck camper project but, I just painted it. Would blend very well here at same time the green it is blends in other parts of this country.

 

[StarliteRambler]

When I was into power boats I noticed that I could walk around barefoot on a white deck but even a light sand color would burn your feet. Just that little bit of color made a huge difference.

 

[owl]

Check these folks out   https://www.durabakcompany.com/?_vs...mztmQnROn8PVA9WpzefzJHCwpYkpv_4kaAnpJEALw_wcB  Lots of colors available and can be applied by roller or brush. I've seen a couple of trucks done and they looked great. The paint has a consistency that hides brush strokes. It come in typical bed liner consistency and smooth. Cheap to compared to spray paint jobs.

 

[highdesertranger]

dang 119 bucks a gallon. you can get the military paint I linked to for 4 gallons for 125 bucks. you don't have to but 4 gallons if I remember right it was 35 bucks a gallon. highdesertranger

 

[owl]

^
Right! Comes in one color.