Re-coloring an exterior with auto paint

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Wildheart61

Hi. I haven't bought my trailer yet, but I'm leaning toward a Casita or Scamp. Regardless the finish that's on whatever I get, I really want to paint it to match my tow vehicle. Can fiberglass be painted by professional sprayers with automotive paint? Thanks.

Just request from the shop that they use a polyurethane paint. They work great over fiberglass and the can be custom tinted. Unlike the more common automotive paints you won't need to also have a clear coat.

Make sure it is a "high solids" polyurethane as it will be more scratch resistant.

[Mike_L]

I've done quite a bit of this work. I don't know the condition of your unit and I don't know how good you want it to look when you are finished. I've seen folks spend more on a paint job than they did on their unit. It's often cheaper to buy a unit in the condition you want than buy a cheaper unit and then pay for an expensive paint job.
I'm assuming from the banter that you haven't done this sort of work previously? It's not difficult but it may be expensive if you have to pay someone else to do it.
If your unit is solid with no fiberglass damage and you just want a color change you may be able to do a lot of the prep yourself.
When I do it I remove all the windows, moldings and decals. You can mask these items but if you are going for new paint you may as well go the extra mile. It makes the prep easier and new window seals eliminates the potential for leaks later on plus new decals make the new paint POP!
Next, wash the unit with an automotive detergent (NOT DISH SOAP) and rinse well. Sand with 240 grit all over, no shiny spots. Repair any damage with automotive body filler and sand smooth. Spray with automotive primer. Sand entire unit with a minimum 320 grit sandpaper. Wash off all dust. Examine unit for any small marks that remain such as scratches, pits etc. which can be filled with glazing putty. Sand smooth. You shouldn't be able to see any marks or feel them when you run your hand over any surfaces.
Contact a shop, like MAACO, who will final sand your unit (for adhesion) and apply the paint.
Good luck!

[lilcamperpainter]

We have used 2 component acrylic and polyurethane lacquers on a thousand fibreglass doors in sunny and cold Calgary weather. And now on fibreglass trailers. My own trailer stayed in the weather for years.

[SouthwestOregon201]

Matching the tow to a trailer.
After doing much body work to this 1979 Scamp, the choice was obvious for me. White on top for reflecting the sun, but setting a bottom paint below the belly line was my choice.




Dave Heffner
Roseburg, OR

[lilcamperpainter]

We just ordered auto paint From Sherwin Williams to match an Austin Mini towing a Boler. They use a 2 component acrylic, which is exactly the lacquer we use regularly on fibreglass. I will have photos later.

[Mike_L]

Should look good!

[k0wtz]

looks outstanding

bob

[Wallo]

How about a wrap of your color choice over the lower half, keeping the top half white?

[lilcamperpainter]

Originally Posted by Wallo

How about a wrap of your color choice over the lower half, keeping the top half white?

We can definitely do that. We hesitate to paint only one part of it because every smudge and discoloration shows up on the other half. We have an off white similar to original fibreglass beige.