Painting front cap on a 5er

[nomoreosama]

Hey guys,

Anyone know of a mobile auto paint tech in South Florida?

I am looking to have my front cap repainted as mine has faded....

Thanks,
Paul

[Veebyes]

In the marine world we follow Ford's choices. A boat can be any colour as long as it is white. Same sort of applies to 5er front caps. They don't get near the beating a boat does in the sun. A boat never gets to be under some trees.

I would not do the front cap refridgerator white. An eggshell or light cream is good. If any other colour base be sure it is very very light.

I had my 32' boat hull done in 2004 after being damaged in a hurricane. Had it done with Awlgrip & clearcoated. Still looks good. The way I looked at it was that the labour was going to be about the same, it is the preparation, whether a cheap paint that will not last long is used or a 2 part epoxy like Awlgrip which will look good for years & years. Might as well spend the extra on the really good paint & be just as happy with it in 8 years or more time.

[nomoreosama]

Thanks for all the advice! I am leaning to having it repainted from black to gray. Perhaps the gray won't fade as the black did.... I will see if I can get some prices from some marine guys....

[leggy]

Well that price doesn't seem that bad compared to the quote for replacing the decals on my 5er for 1500. And I'll have to do it again in a few years since that's all it took for one set to completely crack up.

[B_O__Plenty]

I've had two of them painted and one rear cap. Don't have it done outside. Don't know of any mobile shop that will do it. Look for a shop that paints Big trucks and buses. An RV dealer most likely won't have a big enough paint booth and will send it out, then mark it up some more. A quality automotive base coat/clear coat paint job will hold up well if properly prepped. I paid in the neighborhood of $1500-2000 for mine. It was expensive but well worth it. Good luck
B.O.

[ScottG]

Just wanted to add that you wont be sorry. I had a boat/RV body-work place repaint the fiberglass cap on our last TT with 2 part epoxy paint and it was fantastic. Finish was better than ever and super tough.

[Veebyes]

Since the cap is fibreglass you might want to check with a boatyard & see about getting it done with a product like Awlgrip. Done with that & a couple of clear coats & that will be the end of it. Never have to paint it again & have a finish better than gelcoat.