It’s a cruel fact that we are all victims of first impressions. Within the RV community, this usually means we are what we are driving, or towing. New, old, long, short, or the number of air conditioners on top: others start wondering who we are and what we’re like. When we pull into the RV park, we are, so to speak, putting our best foot forward. A clean, sharp-looking RV will be a positive first impression.
Nothing dates an RV more than the condition and style of the exterior paint. A 2006 motor-home with faded paint looks 10 years older than it really is. If all RVs were white, then it would be hard to tell a 2011 motor-home from a 1999, or a 2009 24-foot trailer from a 1990 24-foot trailer.
More and more RV parks across the United States are starting to develop standards for admission. And those standards are all based on the visual appearance of your RV. The First Impression. A clean and recently painted 20-year-old motor-home will have an as good or better first impression as a 2010 motor-home. Remember, nothing dates an RV more than its paint.
In the 1920s, the first trailer was spray painted with nitrocellulose lacquer. In the 40s, enamels were the choice paints for enhancing the visual appeal of new RVs. The 80s saw the shift to acrylic enamels. In 1990, strict repainting laws came into effect in California, and 1992 saw stringent air pollution laws regulating repaint in the Los Angeles district.
In 1995, paint manufacturers began to offer lifetime warranties to customers when their best products were applied by certified shops.
On average, the paint job on a 2011 RV that is waxed regularly and stored out of the sun can last about ten years before the clear coat oxidizes. The condition of the paint on your RV can affect the resale value by as much as $10,000 to $20,000. While insurance companies value your RV by age and miles used, the resale market is based on age and visual appearance. The single best thing you can do to protect the value of your RV is to consider updating your exterior paint. An added plus is that good first impression!
Most importantly, enjoy the RV life, and be safe.
Final Touch Coach Works is located at 28532 Livingston Avenue in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-775-8375 and www.FinalTouchRV.com.