Wood Stain

BigJohnD · 11-06-2014, 10:19 PM

Didn't find much in a search so I'll throw this out there to see if anybody has had success.

On every coach we've had with a skylight, we've blacked them out, or better described as painted and insulated them. We always hated the light and the heat that they let in, but most times didn't mind the head room some allowed in the shower.

So, with this new Jay Flight we have, it's got that darn huge skylight in the kitchen, which is less than desirable for anybody in the south, unless you like a heater above your head. Sure, you can put reflective bubble foil over it, covers, etc, but it's still there. Do people really like these things? Less holes in the roof is better, but I still like the JF.

So here's my plan, which leads to the title of the subject. I plan to coat the skylight outer domes as I always have, I also plan to insulate between the domes, but on that larger one, I plan to ditch the inner dome and make a really nice ceiling piece, such as those in some motorhomes. Possibly a mirror, LED lights and wood trim in that space. That said, I need matching stain. Out of the 7 previous RVs, I've only had success getting stain from 1 factory, and that was Tiffin, because they made their own stain and cabinets.

Being Jayco makes their own cabinets, I'm betting they can sell me some stain. I hate having to match stuff, as it's never perfect. Been there done that with numerous places with doors and such out of our rigs plus sample wood, and still no perfect match.

Does anybody have a success story in getting wood stain from Jayco? Is it just a matter of providing a VIN and ordering?

Tunce the traveler · 11-06-2014, 11:34 PM

I would kill for a skylight in the kitchen/dining area!

Grumpy · 11-07-2014, 10:22 AM

You should be able to get it through a dealer, not Jayco directly

WIBadger · 11-07-2014, 10:22 AM

Not sure if Jayco is currently making its own cabinets. In the past, they obtained wood products from Middlebury Hardwoods. See http://mhpi.us/

I suggest you give them a call: 574-825-9524. It's possible that they made the cabinets in your Jay Flight, and if so, might be able to help out with the stain.

ALJO · 11-07-2014, 12:44 PM

Wood stain from the Box stores, hardware store and paint store is very easy to match I have done that so many times in the last 45 years, just buy small wood stain cans for cabinetry. I always buy them for touch up or if I have to install a extra door unit.
A small can of stain through a dealer might cost you $50 and up. Good Luck with your project.

BigJohnD · 11-07-2014, 05:36 PM

Thanks all for the replies. As for big box and matching, I suppose we just don't have anybody around here worthy of my standards. I've tried multiple places with multiple rigs. I'd be better off trying myself than going that route again. I'll give jayco a call and find out whether they or the manf mentioned above is making the cabinets. I guess tiffin is in fact the only manf that will do this, and not even close to $50 a quart. Maybe $25.

I know some people like the skylights. I'd be interested to hear that opinion after a hail storm. 14" vents can be covered with max air covers or similar. Skylights, grin and bear the damage. We're definitely all about function and not bling. I suppose we're weird. Don't like auto level, full paint, skylights etc. Good explanations of why and experience with all of it.

Kellys · 11-07-2014, 09:08 PM

To each his own i guess ?

BigJohnD · 11-08-2014, 06:15 PM

For sure. Good thing there's so many to choose from now. Getting harder to find one not fully optioned though. One thing I like about Jayco, they got it covered from a very basic Swift to a semi high end pinnacle.

us71na · 11-09-2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Thanks all for the replies. As for big box and matching, I suppose we just don't have anybody around here worthy of my standards. I've tried multiple places with multiple rigs. I'd be better off trying myself than going that route again.

You can buy the small cans and mix your own to get exact color matches. Just be sure you only mix the same brad and type of stain. You can't mix oil based with water based. It takes a little bit of time and a few scrap pieces of wood. Don't forget that the tint will change when you apply the clear finish.

dewey02 · 11-09-2014, 11:53 AM

We live and camp in the north and heat in summer is not a problem. Had a camper for many years and have yet to use the Air Conditioner.

Our bathroom, with shower stall skylight is the brightest room in the travel trailer. I would love to have a similar skylight in the kithen/living area, as it is usually pretty dim in there given the small windows and the awning out over the dining table window.

**norty1** · 11-09-2014, 11:54 AM

We have noticed many shiners on cab and door trim edges. I bought a stain pen from Lowes in Cherry. It matches the stain color on our rig perfectly.

Camping Couple · 11-09-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIBadger

Not sure if Jayco is currently making its own cabinets. In the past, they obtained wood products from Middlebury Hardwoods. See http://mhpi.us/

I suggest you give them a call: 574-825-9524. It's possible that they made the cabinets in your Jay Flight, and if so, might be able to help out with the stain.

I was told by a very reliable source....(a friend of mine works in the service department at the Jayco factory) lippertt components is in the process or has taken over the cabinet construction portion at Jayco.

**Mustang65** · 11-09-2014, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewey02

Our bathroom, with shower stall skylight is the brightest room in the travel trailer. I would love to have a similar skylight in the kithen/living area, as it is usually pretty dim in there given the small windows and the awning out over the dining table window.

Here is the Jayco part number for the skylight used in the kitchen area of the 1015 EAGLE.

The sky light manufacturer is Duo-Form and their part numbers are 14220408530 & 1422040436D. I’m sorry because of our dealer agreement we cannot sell parts to the general public.

I am planning on picking one up and installing next spring. I will post the project on this site.

Don

Paintinfool3 · 11-09-2014, 02:30 PM

I have 3 skylights in mine and the one in the kitchen is ok but the one over the dinette is hot when the sun is out during the day time ,thought about just covering them in the hot of summer when trying to get the camper cool

BigJohnD · 11-09-2014, 07:32 PM

We pick up the rig Friday. Just trying to get a jumpstart. I may take a shot in the dark with a few samples of minwax. Sometimes you get close. On our Cedar Creek, a guy on the FR forum had figured out a good recipe for a very good match. For the heck of it, I may give Jayco a call. Free to ask, and a 50 / 50 shot they can provide some, even if it is through a dealer. Being where the trim will be, I suppose it being a little off won't hurt. It'll be in the ceiling, so not right up against some of the other cabinets or any wood. I appreciate all of the feedback. Keeps me brainstorming. When I actually get around to doing this mod, I'll be sure to post pictures. The end product would just be a mirror in the ceiling with hidden blue LED's, and of course the wood trim where the old inner dome was screwed in. This will be the first one I've done this to. I've blacked out many a skylight on others rigs, but some really do like them, which is fine.

BigJohnD · 11-18-2014, 09:03 PM

For those interested, I got a little info on the stain between Jayco and Middlebury Hardwood. Here's the email reply:

It does look like Middlebury Hardwoods made the cabinet doors for this unit. The color is Heritage Mocha Beach Glaze. We get this stain from Rollie Williams Paint Spot and their part # for it is 4928.4. I’m not sure if that is where Middlebury Hardwoods gets it from too, but I assume it is. The phone # for Rollie Williams is 574-264-3174.

So, I might be giving them a call. If it cost a little oh well, if it's a perfect match, then I'm a happy camper. Just glad I actually found out what it is.

Seann45 · 11-19-2014, 09:21 AM

Don't ditch that inner dome... if something hits and shatters the outer dome the inner one could save you from a huge mess.. You can still block the area from the inside

RVer-Bill · 11-19-2014, 12:23 PM

My 2007 Jayco Eagle TT got hit by quarter sized hail a couple of years ago and there was no damage at all to the skylight or vent covers. I know that hail can get a lot bigger, but the storm that went through our area caused up to $6000 damage to cars on the street. Out truck had $1700 and our car about $3500 in damage. A tree landed on our house roof, but we were due for a new roof, so insurance paying for half of it was good.

My new WH is the first RV we have had with a kitchen skylight and we love it. I don't think I would want one over the dinette though.

mohok1 · 11-19-2014, 12:40 PM

Jayco doesn't retail any parts or accessories to the public, I don't think. Would like to know how you resolve this issue.

BigJohnD · 11-19-2014, 01:05 PM

I can't get it from Jayco, but I'll be trying to get the stain from Rollie Williams. If not that, through the dealer. If not that, I'll back up and try getting it matched elsewhere, which hasn't ever been succesful for us in the past. As for the dome, this will be the first that I've ever removed the inner dome and left it out. Usually we coat / paint them, insulate the void and reassemble. What is going in the inner domes place this time, I'll show everybody later. Long term plan, maybe, is get rid of the outer dome. Very easy to do and put new roof in it's place.

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