I am going to paint my barth next week. I would like to know what is best to prime it with? It is all silver now but the center stripe which i have allready painted. any help will appreciated. James Quinn

Zinc chromate is best for preventing corrosion. Wear a respirator.

I hope we get a good painting discussion going on this! There are/were a whole bunch of coaches where the metel was not prepared properly before it was painted. The original owners could have had it re-done, but some didn't. Ours NEEDS painting, but we don't know how to prep the metal, and then we too will need to know what is recommended for the primer, and paint. Has anyone done this themselves? How? Using what? Thanks!

Hate to disagree with Bill H, but since I have done some research, the Zinc Chromate primer question had come up on the Airstream forum, and a paint guru (a guy who rebuilds Airstreams for a living) said to never use it.

I am at work now, but there is a great thread on the Airstream forum. The guy details the procedure and backs it up with the number of aluminum Airstreams he has done with zero problems.

I am at work now, but will try and post the thead later.

Windsor, I'll see your Airstream and raise you a Confederate Air Force.

I just spent the day at the Camarillo airport where a long time friend is manager of maintenance. We had quite a discussion on corrosion, as I have some spots on the front of my Barth that need attention. They restore badly corroded aircraft day in and day out, and still use ZnCrO4 after phosphoric acid etching and alodine. Treating corrosion is a big big part of their tasks in restoration there. Lots of really experienced old guys there. Unanimous.
Oh yeah, they are quite close to the ocean.

Most everything I have ever heard in a lifetime in aviation says zinc chromate is it. FAA, Boeing, Douglas, you know, those people. It seems to be preferred in marine applications as well. Lots of outboards have their lower units triple coated with epoxy ZnCrO4.

However, I would be interested in why the Airstream guy doesn't like it. Even though I might disagree, it would be interesting. Can you steer me to the site?

TIA.

Sure Bill,

I remembered that you restored aircraft, and I would be interested in hearing the other side of the story.

I am enclosing a link to the post directly, and if you scroll down about halfway, the guy is from "Inland RV" which is an Airstream specialy shop.

The guy is pretty funny, and does not mince words.

I am in the process (about at least a year away) of collecting data and information to start the painting of my barth. It was a commercial, and the respray that covered the factory paint is not adhering well. I have a couple patches that are down to the aluminum skin..so although the interior is quite nice, the exterior is starting to look ratty..

http://www.airstreamforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10522&highlight=paint

That Airstream thread is somethin' else. Lots of good info, but it made me so tired, I think I need a nap.

bugman hi carl paint a barth etching primer paint clear coat.you will love it

I just got my Barth back from the paint shop and I am VERY happy with the results. They removed everything that was not to get painted, sanded to bare metal where paint was not in good condition, sanded meticulously everywhere else (those jillion rivits were a _____), primer with zinc chromate where bare aluminum was exposed, finish paint and stripes with PPG Deltron 2000, with a final clear coat. All painting was done in a dust-free spray booth.

I did a similar paint job on my GMC Motorhome myself and would never subject myself to so much torture again!! I was very happy with the price for a professional job on the Barth: $4200.

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Gary & Edie
North Idaho
1988 28' P-30 454

[This message has been edited by Grizzlygiant (edited July 26, 2004).]

Gary, you gonna post a picture?

Gary,

That's an amazing price for a quality paint job on a motorhome. Please post a picture.

Bill G

That is an awesome price. The cheapest price I got around here for my 28 footer was $12-14K with $1,400.00 just for the front cap alone. For under $5 it would pay me to drive to Idaho.

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Dave --- and you and Deb can stay at our house while the coach is being painted. We can go fishing every day in a different lake, the ladies can go shopping all day in the quaint western shops, and we can dine in the evening overlooking Lake Coeur d'Alene. When shall we expect you???
(Bill h is working over a picture of my new paint job for posting on barthmobile)
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Gary & Edie
North Idaho
1988 28' P-30 454

[This message has been edited by Grizzlygiant (edited July 30, 2004).]

Here is Gary's newly painted coach:

http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/inbox/view.html?...f69%2Ff79ac011.jpg&c aption=barth%20grizzly%20giant

[This message has been edited by bill h (edited August 01, 2004).]

That looks super.

I was not sure that white would do a Barth justice, but am glad to see it looks pretty good.

Are the stripes a decal, or paint?