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Topic: Painting faux/fake windows  (Read 1279 times) previous topic - next topic
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Painting faux/fake windows
When repainting the false windows what paint should I use gloss, satin or flat. It’s hard to tell what was originally used by the factory. It seems gloss would be logical to shine like the glass windows. But after sanding them they are not really as smooth as they look.
Lynn and Lori


Re: Painting false windows
Reply #2
"... gloss, satin or flat..."

When I had mine repainted this last year I seem to recall that we settled on 'satin' and the results say it was the right choice.  ;D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #3
Hi all,

Has anyone else done anything with those fake windows?   The black is so boring.

tlbh2o
Theresa & Everett  GLLDCC Making wonderful friends at LD rallies.
Surfside our 2018 31IB ( our current LD)   Sandcastle  2001 26.5MB ( our first LD)
Michigan born and home based. Traveling with our spoiled dog Dax.

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #4
Not personally but some have had paintings of beach scenes with palm trees or whatnot done. Choose your artist carefully.
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #5
I am having my rig painted as I write.  We found significant cracking on the front end cap so had to take the fiberglass down and refilled to completely fix the cracking.  So we’re painting the whole front and I have chosen to paint the faux windows white.  I think in the hot California sun, white will last better than black. 

Jules
'O6 IB Anniversary Model
Sue, My Copilot
Carlie, our canine princess


Re: Painting false windows
Reply #7
Faux windows,  the best color for longevity of the cap is probably Colonial White. Other colors absorb more heat which contributes to the degradation of the paint and fiberglass caps. 
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #8
Faux windows,  the best color for longevity of the cap is probably Colonial White. Other colors absorb more heat which contributes to the degradation of the paint and fiberglass caps. 

Yeah white is probably the most durable. But I really like the look of the black windows. To me it just looks right with the raised areas. If it was just flat it would be different.
Lynn and Lori

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #9
I am heading out to visit my local sign maker, thinking of something fun but instead of paint a vinyl graphic that can be applied over those spaces. Sorry but it won't be a tropical beach.  I'll post pics when it's done.
Theresa & Everett  GLLDCC Making wonderful friends at LD rallies.
Surfside our 2018 31IB ( our current LD)   Sandcastle  2001 26.5MB ( our first LD)
Michigan born and home based. Traveling with our spoiled dog Dax.

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #10
"But I really like the look of the black windows."

It's part of the trade mark! How else would you recognize a Lazy Daze coming at you from down the road???
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #11
I've thought about eyeballs or sunglasses... 

Sand Castle, can you expand on your "vinyl graphic" idea--would that be something removable without permanent impact to whatever was underneath (black or white)?  My dad had some flexible magnetic signs for his Real Estate office that he could remove from his car doors--that obviously wouldn't work with the fiberglass front cap, but it would be fun to have something to spruce up that area.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #12
Hi Duro. I used a gloss black on the front windows, to retain the original (almost) a trade mark Lazy Daze look, until they switched to the new look. There is enough sand blasting the front, and dirt dripping off of the front that it won't look too shiny for long. I did my windows in September of 2016. Many others on this forum shared pictures of their efforts also. RonB
   A link to the past:  Faux front window paint
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #13
Ron this is my second attempt at painting the front windows. My passenger window took an impact at some time before I got it. Looked like a baseball or something. But it left stress cracks around the impact site. I filled it with spot putty and repainted about 1 1/2 years ago. It looked good for about a year but the cracks have started showing through again. This time I am doing a more substantial job repairing the cracks. Ground them out and used filler with fiberglass in it. Hoping this time it lasts much longer LOL.  
Lynn and Lori

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #14


Sand Castle, can you expand on your "vinyl graphic" idea--would that be something removable

Lynne

Hi Lynne,
It would not be easily removable but would cause no permanent damage (holes for screws) to the fiberglass shell.  It will be a printed sign graphic that is applied to the fiberglass kind of like graphics on other brands.  Sign companies have access to tons of clipart that you can choose from.
tlbh2o
Theresa & Everett  GLLDCC Making wonderful friends at LD rallies.
Surfside our 2018 31IB ( our current LD)   Sandcastle  2001 26.5MB ( our first LD)
Michigan born and home based. Traveling with our spoiled dog Dax.

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #15
I wonder if a couple coats of clear coat over the black. Would increase the time before the fading starts.
Lynn and Lori

Re: Painting false windows
Reply #16
I used flat black with a clear coat.
The clear coat added a bit of luster to the overall appearance but I am not a fan of shiny.
It seems to be holding up well, the key is the prep work before painting.
Jota
96 23.5 FL


Re: Painting false windows
Reply #18
.  So we’re painting the whole front and I have chosen to paint the faux windows white.  I think in the hot California sun, white will last better than black. 

When ordering our LD, we asked for the fake windows to be painted white, the answer was a firm "NO".
They didn't want their motorhomes to look "like moving vans".
Ed wouldn't stand for that. Steve wasn't willing to disobey his father.

At this point, changing the front windows to white would require painting the whole front end to match, you will never get a good match just painting the windows themselves.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Painting faux/fake windows
Reply #19
Tip #1 it’s much easier to work up there with the hood open. You can stand on the big brace and reach things so much better. Sanded and masked off. Now if the wind calms down I can spray primer.
Lynn and Lori

Re: Painting faux/fake windows
Reply #20
Tip #2 Don’t believe the weatherman! Managed to get a coat of primer on. Then the clouds turned black (Weatherman said no rain) . The rain came but I managed to get a tarp on it just in time.
Lynn and Lori

Re: Painting faux/fake windows
Reply #21
Got a break in the weather. All done. Two coats primer, three coats black and two coats of clear. I should have sanded more but it looks way better.
Lynn and Lori

Re: Painting faux/fake windows
Reply #22
Looks good, nice job Lynn!  Is that a new decal?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Painting faux/fake windows
Reply #23
Greg nope that’s the original decal. I did order a new decal with the new skylight a few days ago.
Lynn and Lori

Re: Painting faux/fake windows
Reply #24
Hi Lynn. Those windows look very good. I didn't use clear coat on mine, I opted for about 8 layers of black instead. Could I ask how much LD charged you for the decal?    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB