Full body paint vs. standard finish

[bstannard]

We are considering upgrading from our Eagle to a Pinnacle which may be our last upgrade. The FBP is really sharp but pricey. Wondering what maintenance/durability advantages anyone may have experienced to help justify the added cost. Really appreciate any input.
Thanks
Bill

[EA37TS]

FBP wears better than gel coat and has better resale value.

[norty1]

I have owned a good many rv's and never sold one at a profit.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by norty1

I have owned a good many rv's and never sold one at a profit.

Resale value is not profit.

[bstannard]

Resale not the issue. Question is will fbp stay looking like new with less work. I’m anal about how my equipment looks but all the trips up and down a ladder for a full wax job is getting harder. The price could be worth it if it solved both issues.

[EA37TS]

Class C a few years ago was Gelcoat and the last 2 have been FBP. Wax once or twice a year depending on time in full sun. I take mine through a Blue Beacon for a wash periodically and touch up what they may miss.

Our Challenger got a professional detailing after 4 years and looked like new a year later at trade in.

[F350guy]

I've had both, a fbp diesel motor home and several fifth wheels without it. I know it is an available option on the Pinnacle but when looking for our model on the on line for sale sites I never saw a single one with fbp. I guess the extra cost would not make them competitive with other brands so dealers probably avoid it for stock units. I usually wax mine once a year and I've not noticed any difference in keeping an unpainted vs painted shiny.

What might make a difference is the vinyl decals on an unpainted version which can have a tendency to deteriorate if it lives outdoors full time. Ours stays indoors except when on the road so this has never been an issue for us. I know the front and rear caps on the Pinnacles are painted so it's already part way there.

[73stroker]

We chose the FBP for our 2019 Pinnacle and we love it. It looks great all of the time, no fading decals to worry about. This is our second season with it. Its easy to clean and maintain. I would never buy another one without FBP.

[bstannard]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Everyone here is always willing to help.
Basically, there is some reduction in maintenance, certainly no worry about decal deterioration, and looks awesome-just pricey. Enough encouragement to bite the bullet-it’s ordered!
Now to find a buyer for our 2018 321RSTS that is better than new (yeah, I admit I’m anal).
Thanks
Bill

[klassic]

I’m thinking about getting full body paint.
It’s been 4 years since this thread. If the OP is still around, I’m wondering how you’re looking after 4 years.

[Yellowssr]

Go with the full body paint the gel coat will fade and look bad no matter how much care you take. I finally had mine vinyl wrapped after being irritated with the gel coat. It looks amazing and was alot more affordable. I would never buy another without paint.

[mtpocket21]

I would not do it again on a jayco. The quality is very poor. Over spray, missed spots and silicone spread all over paint where it doesn’t belong. and you can see the beige in door jambs.

[klassic]

Originally Posted by Yellowssr

Go with the full body paint the gel coat will fade and look bad no matter how much care you take. I finally had mine vinyl wrapped after being irritated with the gel coat. It looks amazing and was alot more affordable. I would never buy another without paint.

My dealer seems to be ordering quite a few painted. I’m thinking that’s the way to go now.
Mine just turned 9 and it’s really looking tired.

[klassic]

Originally Posted by mtpocket21

I would not do it again on a jayco. The quality is very poor. Over spray, missed spots and silicone spread all over paint where it doesn’t belong. and you can see the beige in door jambs.

Interesting.
I’ll have to go give them a thorough look.
They are painted the dark midnight charcoal color

[cariboocreek]

I would rather spend the money on a good lithium system, independent suspension, or some other usable upgrade.

[Randyman69357]

I too have FBP and do like the looks and the no decals. I did have mine Ceramic coated right after picking it up. Pricey then, but easy cleanup and the shine is amazing. Jayco did cheap out on not doing any of the door jambs or slide out box ends. Mine is black and silver so the slide out room ends are just black and not painted but match because of being black. I saw a white body painted one and the slide out room ends were still black and that didn’t look right. I ended up buying some 1/2 wide black automotive pinstripe tape and went around the cargo doors as well as the jambs because you could see the beige part that was not painted when the doors were shut. The house door is the worst part but there was too much area to try and pinstripe that, plus when the door is wide open it is all beige. I believe it was a little over $12,000 dollar option and I called and complained about there short coming on the paint. Just like any other time I called them about warranty work or problems they could care less because they already had my money. No more Jayco products for me in the future. The structure seems fine on this one, but the quality and attention to detail has left the building as they would say about Elvis.

[jetlag]

Our dealer orders all his Pinnacles will full body paint, or so he told me. I complained about the price when looking at it, and he calmly took me around the lot to look at some used unpainted 5th wheels. He pointed out the faded fiberglass and cracked decals. I come from the boating world and well versed in the dull fiberglass versus painted boats. The main difference is that the boat paint job costs much more than a 5th wheel. All I could do was agree with him, and that was that. Ours stays under cover most of the time. I wax once a year, the front cap, black, I either wax or use light rubbing compound/wax a couple of times a year. Black will show anything on it, drives me nuts. The camper looks great though, and we get lots of compliments on it.

[klassic]

I don’t know if jayco has painted them dark before.
This is the color I’m thinking about on the 2025 pinnacle.
Wondering how a dark color will take sitting in the sun for years. Mine sits in the driveway in full sun.
That’s what my NorthPoint looks so bad now.

[Randyman69357]

I would have it professionally ceramic coated if you want to keep it nice and cannot store it undercover. Expensive, but it will help do the trick in keeping the paint nice for a lot longer period of time. Easier to maintain the surface too.

[klassic]

I had a look at the black painted ones at my dealer.
Because they were white before paint, the door trims are still white and they paint the white face of the trim and that’s not the greatest job.
Since they know the build details before hand, I would think using the black door trims would be a better idea.
Looks to me the graphics are just the vinyl graphics with the clear sprayed over top.
Overall though, it looks great.