Has anyone painted their AC shroud?

[Warden Brown]

I'm wondering what it would be like if I painted my air conditioner shroud gray or silver. Has anyone done it? It seems like it would blend in better on my 64 Streamline.

[skyguyscott]

Sure, you can paint it. I believe in the 1960s airstream painted the shrouds silver

Just be aware that, like vinyl or aluminum siding, once you paint it, You will have to keep repainting it every few years as the sun beating down on it will eventually cause it to crack and peel over time.

[ROBERT CROSS]

You could try it, really depends on what the original is made out of.

I tried it on an IconDirect replacement, no go.
"HDPE sheet is produced with a closed cell structure polymer. This means it will not absorb liquids, but also means that paint or stain will not adhere to it. The best way to obtain a colored sheet is to have it produced that way!"

Bob
🇺🇸

[Warden Brown]

I'm looking at purchasing and painting a Dometic Penguin II. I'd love to see a picture of any trailer with a painted shroud, if anyone has one to share.

[55AS]

See attached photo. This was done with automotive paint. Rattle can attempt was a failure.

[tnew52654]

Originally Posted by Warden Brown

I'm looking at purchasing and painting a Dometic Penguin II. I'd love to see a picture of any trailer with a painted shroud, if anyone has one to share.

l am doing a total restoration on myb76 excella l took my shrouds from my mach 8's to a sheetmetal shop and had them make mirror plate stainless covers. l the desert sun the plastic only lasts a couple years. These babies only cost 300 a piece to be made for a lifetime of use no painting, no replacing from breakage.

[rucos]

I just painted my coleman mach 2 weeks ago ...i used plastic rated spray which ive used on other plastic parts before and it works good.
You may have to redo in a few years but its all of 20min work !
It looks way better than the white white one. I did wait until was out of warranty just in case there was an issue.

[rucos]

Originally Posted by tnew52654

l am doing a total restoration on myb76 excella l took my shrouds from my mach 8's to a sheetmetal shop and had them make mirror plate stainless covers. l the desert sun the plastic only lasts a couple years. These babies only cost 300 a piece to be made for a lifetime of use no painting, no replacing from breakage.

Im looking at doing an aluminum shroud as well
...love the stainless one!!

[Dspchef]

Originally Posted by tnew52654

l am doing a total restoration on myb76 excella l took my shrouds from my mach 8's to a sheetmetal shop and had them make mirror plate stainless covers. l the desert sun the plastic only lasts a couple years. These babies only cost 300 a piece to be made for a lifetime of use no painting, no replacing from breakage.

Those babies sure are nice too! They haven't even fallen off being upside down like that either!

[cazual6]

Can we back it up one step?

How do you remove the shroud? (videos preferred)

[SeeMore]

I painted the white plastic shroud on my Domestic Duo-Therm some five years ago with the Rust-Oleum product shown below.

You must clean the surface completely using TSP (or similar) and then use denatured alcohol as the final cleaning fluid to ensure the paint adheres properly. Once coated (it may take 3-4 light coats for uniform coverage) add a couple of additional layers of clear coat to lock in the metallic look. Clear coat is easily touched up in a few years to maintain the appearance.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by cazual6

Can we back it up one step?

How do you remove the shroud? (videos preferred)

Both my Penguin and Brisk Air have 4 screws just above the roof line, two in front and one on each side. Once these screws are removed the shroud lifts straight up.
Be careful, the start capacitor stores energy similar to a battery, but higher voltage.

[n2916s]

On my 1986 Sovereign, I painted the A/C shroud “Gator Blue” with Krylon. Needed to redo it every couple of years. But, I liked it so not really a chore...

[A W Warn]

Krylon Fusion is good for plastics.
Colors and metallic finishes are available.

[Tim A.]

I painted ours silver years ago and it still looks fine even with California sun. Rattle-can silver and then rattle-can clear coated. I think the clear coat is important. Takes a couple to three cans of silver.

Tim

[Streamracer]

Mine is silver on the bottom half and off white on the top half. Got belt molding riveted around the middle that holds blue trim. That's on 86 Colman.

[guskmg]

I have painted them in the past. I would let set in the sun for awhile, then wash good, as already mentioned, and use spray paint.
guskmg

[bibbs]

Painting is a good idea, the paint will protect the plastic from ultraviolet deterioration, your plastic will last longer, yes I painted mine silver looks like it was mento be that way.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by bibbs

Painting is a good idea, the paint will protect the plastic from ultraviolet deterioration, your plastic will last longer, yes I painted mine silver looks like it was mento be that way.

Makes you wonder why airstream does not paint them instead of leaving them SOB white.

[skyguyscott]

Originally Posted by r carl

Makes you wonder why airstream does not paint them instead of leaving them SOB white.

Simple. It’s added labor cost for Thor with no return on investment. Thor’s MO relies on the owners to do much of the finishing work needed for the trailers anyway.

However, if there was enough aftermarket interest, I’m sure they could offer a stainless steel AC shroud as an upgrade along with the stainless steel water heater covers, stainless steel vent covers, etc.