Would You Like Chips and Salsa With Your RV Paint Job?

Shelly & Steve Lechner are full-time RVers traveling North America in their 1999 Safari Trek. This couple recently took their motorhome into Mexico to be professionally painted by the Navarro Brothers and saved mucho dinero - $4,000 dollars. Here they are with Mr. Navarro and the finished coach.The paint on their aluminum sided Trek was beginning to bubble and corrode. The bubble trouble was especially apparent around the rivets. Steve says that during the sanding process they found several places where the corrosion had completely eaten through the siding.I asked Steve what gave him the idea to have the work done in Mexico and he said a fellow RVer suggested he contact them. He Googled “Navarros Paint Shop,” then called to set up a date and time to meet Mr Navarro at the border for an estimate.

Steve and Shelly drove to the border and stayed at the Happy Hollow RV Park. Here is an aerial view I took while hiking on the mountain overlooking the campground. The park is located on an Indian reservation just outside the border crossing into Los Algodones, Mexico (pictured below). The photo also shows the the parking lot on the U.S. side which belongs to the Indian reservation. You may park there at a cost of $5.00 a day and walk across the border - RV parking is also available). Steve met Mr. Navarro at the park where he provided a detailed list of what he wanted done and Mr. Navarro gave him an estimate.Steve says, “A list of everything you want done is a MUST, and I mean everything! they do good work but they don't read minds. You need to list things like the steps, the wiper blade arms the jack plates the mirrors etc. I went over my list and explained what I wanted done, he inspected the coach and we bargained a little and settled on a price.
They did a professional job of preparation and applying three coats of paint.I asked Steve what he would do differently if he were to do this project again? He said, “If we were to do it again, we would not plan on living in the coach while the work is being done." "There are several hotels and a nice bed & breakfast within walking distance.The refrigerator needs to be secured during painting (a fire hazard in the paint booth). Take several cases of water and snacks. Plan on inspecting the coach at least twice a day, this way you can ensure they are doing everything to your satisfaction. Women seem to have an eye for detail so use em gents!”Steve and Shelly purchased auto insurance form Sanborns in Yuma, Arizona which cost them around $11.00 a day. They crossed into Mexico at Los Algodones with no problems. Passports will be required next year. Firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited in Mexico and possession will bring an automatic prison sentence.I asked Steve if he was satisfied with the quality of work and would he do it again? He replied, “All said and done we were are very satisfied with the work. Is it perfect? No, but what is? I would do it again in a New York second.”Personally I’m a huge fan of Los Algodones, Mexico and enjoy eating in the restaurants, shopping in the stores and using the dentists and pharmacies so abundant there. I agree with Steve when he says, “The people of Algodones are a proud lot and speak far better english than most of us speak Spanish. It is in their nature to bargain and deal. Treat them with respect, and remember all of this when Mr. Navarro gives you the quote.”

Brushing up on my Spanish - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing