Exterior Repairs

Why Choose Exterior Repair & Restoration?

Investing in your RV’s exterior is an investment in its longevity, safety, and continued beauty. It offers essential benefits that protect your adventure:

• Prevent Costly Interior Damage: Even a small exterior crack or compromised seal can lead to extensive water damage inside, causing mold, rot, and electrical issues. Proactive repair safeguards your interior.
• Restore Aesthetic Appeal: Bring back the classic look of your vintage rig, eliminating unsightly dents, faded paint, or peeling decals, and restoring its curb appeal.
• Ensure Weather Resistance: Fortify your RV against rain, wind, sun, and road debris, maintaining its crucial barrier against the elements.
• Maintain Structural Integrity: Repairing damage to the exterior skin often means addressing underlying structural issues, ensuring your RV remains safe and sound for travel.
• Protect Your Investment: A well-maintained exterior preserves the value of your vintage RV, whether for your own enjoyment or for future resale.

Our Dedication: Crafting Resilient Exteriors

Our approach combines specialized techniques with a deep understanding of various RV and trailer construction types – from riveted aluminum Airstreams to classic fiberglass or sheet metal-sided campers. We don’t just patch; we restore with precision.

We believe your RV’s exterior should be as ready for adventure as you are.

Ready to restore your RV’s exterior beauty and protection?

Give us a call today to discuss your exterior repair or restoration project. We look forward to bringing new life to your classic’s outer shell.

The exterior of your vintage trailer or RV is constantly exposed to a relentless barrage of environmental factors: harsh sunlight, driving rain, biting winds, temperature extremes, and the occasional impact from road debris or errant branches. Over years of adventures, this constant exposure inevitably leads to wear, damage, and compromised integrity. Expert exterior repair and restoration are not just about making your RV look good; they are critical for maintaining its structural soundness, preventing interior damage, and ensuring its longevity on the road. Understanding these challenges and our methodical approach is key to preserving your mobile haven.

Common Exterior Issues & Their Impact

Many vintage RVs, regardless of their original build quality, will eventually face specific exterior challenges that demand professional attention:

• Leaks & Water Intrusion:

  • This is arguably the most damaging exterior issue. Compromised seals around windows, doors, vents, and roof seams allow water to penetrate.
  • Impact: Leads to hidden subfloor rot, wall de-lamination, mold growth, unpleasant odors, and can even damage electrical components or interior furnishings. Early detection is vital.

• Body Damage (Dents, Punctures, Cracks):

  • Accidents, tree branches, rocks kicked up by tires, or even careless maneuvering can cause dents, punctures, or cracks in aluminum, fiberglass, or sheet metal siding.
  • Impact: Beyond visual aesthetics, these can compromise structural integrity, create new leak points, and reduce your RV’s resale value.

• Fading, Peeling Paint & Delamination:

  • Years of UV exposure cause paint and decals to fade, crack, or peel. Fiberglass exteriors can suffer from “fiberglass blush” or, more seriously, delamination (where the outer fiberglass skin separates from the inner substrate).
  • Impact: Significantly diminishes curb appeal and can be a precursor to moisture intrusion if cracks develop. Delamination weakens the wall structure.

• Compromised Seals & Trims:

  • Caulking and rubber seals around windows, doors, and trim pieces dry out, crack, or pull away over time.
  • Impact: These are direct pathways for water, dust, and pests to enter the interior, causing systemic issues.

• Frame-to-Body Separation:

  • In some vintage models, the exterior skin can begin to separate from the internal framing, particularly at corners or stress points, creating gaps.
  • Impact: Indicates underlying structural weakness and creates significant leak points, compromising overall integrity and safety.

Our Comprehensive Exterior Repair & Restoration Process

Our skilled technicians employ specialized techniques and a deep understanding of various RV exterior materials (aluminum, fiberglass, sheet metal) to perform lasting repairs and restorations: In addition to our repair capabilities, we also provide thorough inspections to identify potential issues before they become major problems. The services offered by our company ensure that your RV not only looks great but also stands the test of time against the wear and tear of the road. With a commitment to quality, we strive to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations in every project we undertake.

1. Thorough Diagnostics & Damage Assessment:

   • We begin with a meticulous inspection of your RV’s entire exterior, identifying all visible and hidden damage.
   • Advanced moisture meters and visual checks help us pinpoint all sources of water intrusion and assess the extent of any underlying rot or structural compromise.

2. Precise Damage Repair:

   • Aluminum/Metal Skin: We expertly perform dent removal, patching, or full panel replacement for damaged aluminum or steel siding, ensuring a smooth, original-like contour. We utilize appropriate riveting techniques where applicable.
   • Fiberglass & FRP: For fiberglass bodies, we repair cracks, chips, and punctures using specialized resins and techniques to restore strength and seamless appearance. We also address delamination issues where feasible.
   • Siding Replacement: If sections of original siding are beyond repair, we source and install matching or upgraded materials, ensuring a perfect fit and finish.

3. Comprehensive Leak Remediation:

   • This is a critical step. We meticulously remove old, ineffective sealants and apply high-quality, long-lasting RV-grade sealants to all seams, moldings, windows, vents, and access points.
   • Our goal is to create a fully watertight exterior, preventing future water damage.

4. Surface Preparation & Finishing:

   • For painted or finished surfaces, we perform extensive cleaning, sanding, and priming.
   • High-quality, automotive-grade paints are then applied using professional techniques for a durable, UV-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing finish that matches your RV’s original color or your custom preference.
   • We can also assist with decal and graphics replacement to complete the look.

5. Trim & Component Restoration/Replacement:

   • All exterior trim, molding, lights, access doors, and hatches are inspected. Damaged components are repaired or replaced, and often refinished to match the rejuvenated exterior.
   • Window seals and glass are inspected for integrity and repaired or replaced as needed to ensure a watertight seal.

6. Rigorous Final Inspection & Water Testing:

   • Upon completion, the RV undergoes a comprehensive final inspection to ensure all repairs meet our exacting standards.
   • We perform thorough water testing (e.g., using a controlled spray booth or hose testing) to verify the integrity of all seals and confirm the exterior is completely watertight.

Understanding Exterior Repair & Restoration Costs & Value

The cost of exterior RV repair and restoration is highly variable, depending on the type and severity of the damage, the materials involved, and the extent of the aesthetic finish desired. It’s an investment in both the protective capabilities and the visual appeal of your vintage RV.

Factors Influencing Cost:

• Type & Extent of Damage: A small dent differs greatly from extensive de-lamination or large-scale panel replacement.
• Material Specifics: Repairing aluminum skin often involves different techniques and labor than fiberglass or traditional sheet metal.
• Underlying Issues: Costs increase significantly if hidden water damage or structural rot is discovered beneath the surface.
• Finishing Choice: Simple spot repair painting vs. full body repaint or custom graphics.
• Labor Hours: The precision and detail required for seamless exterior work.

Investing in professional exterior repair and restoration protects your vintage RV from the elements, enhances its lifespan, and preserves its aesthetic beauty. It’s a critical investment in your RV’s long-term health and your enjoyment on the road.

Maintaining your RV’s exterior is crucial, and it often intersects with other vital areas of care. As you address your exterior needs, consider these complementary services to ensure overall integrity and prolonged enjoyment of your vintage rig: