By Nanci Dixon
Like many RVs with decal graphics, our motorhome had started to show signs of age after only four years. The decals were cracking and some were peeling. I was so proud of our still fairly new RV, that I just matched the paint and carefully painted in the cracks. That was NOT a good idea. Beyond being unbearably time-consuming, the rest of the decals continued to fade, crack and peel while my paint remained bright and shiny!
The decals were no longer available. The coach manufacturer had been sold and sold again. We hired our son to remove the decals. Now, at least we couldn’t see the decals cracking and peeling, but the process was not friendly to the exterior fiberglass. We debated our options and decided to have it repainted with full-body paint rather than buy another motorhome to begin our full-time journey.
Getting ideas
After that decision, we did a lot of walking around campgrounds snapping photos of designs we liked, going to sales lots to see what was current, and, of course, did tons of research online. We looked into body wraps, too, but considering we were planning to keep the motorhome for a long time, we didn’t want peeling and fading to happen with body wraps later. There was a limited guarantee.
Finding a paint shop
First, we Googled “RV custom paint” and that brought up a good-sized list. Turns out there are a number of places across the country that do full-body RV painting. The first thing we learned? This would not be cheap.
We began calling around and found that some shops had a year wait and some painted the RVs for manufacturers. Those were the easiest to decide on since we just needed to see the RVs that they had painted on the sales lots. That helped eliminate several based on quality and price point.
We also learned that some painted the sides of the slides while others didn’t. Some charged more for a second layer of clear coat. Some charged more for removing the old decals and some didn’t. Also, some replaced all the weatherstripping and slide seals and some did not. Some seemed to have an attitude and others were friendly and helpful. I actually made a spreadsheet with all the different options.
We decided on Precision Painting in Bremen, Indiana. They do the paint for Entegra as well as some of the Jayco line. Unfortunately, they no longer do many custom paint jobs, at least on older rigs. They are way too busy painting the new ones! We agreed on a ballpark price and set up a time to take it in. In the meantime, I “noodled” designs and things I liked over photos of our RV. It was really going to be a custom paint job!
The design
The day came and we drove the motorhome from Minnesota to Indiana and sat down with the designer. Unbeknownst to me, I had brought ideas that were too close to existing RVs. Apparently, every paint job is copyrighted and the designers can’t replicate them. She worked on her computer and started showing us designs over photos she had taken of our RV. I could say “swirl less” or “swirl more”, “I like that!” or “I don’t like that!” Note, my husband promptly fell asleep in the comfortable chair and the designer and I continued to work on the design.
When the design was complete from every angle, my husband woke up to help with paint colors. There were hundreds to choose from! We could look at some RVs in the process of being painted and done.
We went home and waited for the final plans. About a week later, we received a digital image, made a few tweaks and both signed off on it.
Painting in progress
We were delighted that she sent photos in progress! 
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Picking it up in a snowstorm!
Fast forward to our retirement. We picked up our drop-dead beautiful motorhome in a snowstorm! We were what you’d call “happy campers!”
Would we do it again?
Absolutely! We got compliment after compliment on it. Even though now that we’ve upgraded to diesel, I wouldn’t hesitate to have a rig custom painted. Did we recoup our investment? Only a part of it in resale, but we had the satisfaction of a beautiful eye-catching coach unlike anyone else’s.
For those of you who asked about the cost (sorry I left it out), the design, prep and painting was around $15K.
##RVT1186
Thanks for sharing your experience!
How much did it cost
15K
How much $ did this paint job cost? This information would surely help others to decide whether to take this process on.
Design, prep and painting was around $15K
I get the impression a really good custom paint job can cost just under $10,000 Is this accurate compared to what you paid?
I’d bet big bucks that THAT paint job was WELL over $10k.
doesn’t look like she’s going to answer the cost questions
The design, prep and painting was around 15K.
We met someone in a CG near Grand Canyon who had his Dutch Star repainted – in Mexico. He said it was almost half the price. He also admitted that the quality was not quite what he would get in the states, but unless he pointed out the deficiencies, you could not tell. It was not as classy looking as Nanci’s, but it did look nice.
In 2017 took our 2002 Newmar Dutchstar in for upgrades at the factory. Main issue was our paint. The clear coat was peeling/cracking & looked terrible. Husband had done touch up, but started peeling again after a couple of years. Unbeknownst to us there was an outstanding warranty repair for this issue. Seems the skins were the cause of the peeling. We had to pay 50%. Original cost $30K, we paid $15K. 7 yrs later coach still looks brand new. People shocked when we tell them it is 22 yrs old. BTW, we have 250K miles on her. A note. Pics in article look like windows left in. They removed all our windows & door.
Without the cost, article gets 1 star.
Design, prep and painting was around $15K.
Thanks.
Got an estimate from the factory on a full paint on our 30ft Coachman Mirada…22K…above my pay grade.
Great read, loved the photos. We all have different value meters and it sure sounds to me like the Dixons received exactly the value they had hoped too. Pride of ownership, and a lower price point than new rig with loose screws. Thanks for the story Nanci.
Nanci – useful topic, nicely written with great photos. You left us at the altar with no cost. Is there a reason for no cost being reported?
The design, prep and painting was around $15K.
Nanci, your original article on your full body paint made me start thinking about it myself. (My husband thanks you 😉 ) We had a full body paint done in January, 2024 on our 2002 Newmar Kountry Star at CDI in Forest City, IA. The cost was $16,000 for decal removal, minor body repairs, and paint. (Slides included.) I didn’t check with any other companies because CDI is 45 minutes from our home in Winnebago country.
Thank you, Nanci! I like the colors and pattern that you chose. Sorry you didn’t get to fully depreciate the enhancement to your RV. 🙁 Happy new year and safe travels! 🙂