Painting Mural over Clearcoat?

[SnowWanderer]

Originally Posted by duvaltarheel

1. I realize 99.7% of people who read this will think my idea is a bad one :-)

Not interesting in discussing WHETHER I should have a mural painted on my Airstream, only HOW I can go about it :-)

2. For the .3% of you who are intrigued and may know a little about this, hope you can help!

I'm not an artist but am going to commission someone to paint a mural on the side of my 2021 Globetrotter. I know that it has a PPG fluorocarbon clearcoat, and I've been searching for ideas/techniques on either painting over the clearcoat OR treating (or removing?) the clearcoat from the "mural" area first before painting on the aluminum.

Adding to the challenge is that I would like to do it with ecologically friendly products if at all possible.

Not finding anything so reaching out for advice here. Thoughts?

How about having the mural painted and then produced on vinyl? Adhere the vinyl to the Airstream and seal it in place.

[rewillia]

If were me, I'd go the vinyl wrap method.

Nowadays, the professionals that deal in graphic designs using vinyls for automotive (and RV, Marine) applications can create, produce or reproduce any type of image and the material grades being used are very good, long lasting.

Furthermore, IMO the benefits of using a vinyl wrap vs. painted on are multifold in that

- The quality of the wrap(s) can be so good it's hard to tell a difference between being painted on.

- The installation of such is not permanent, and can be removed easily.

- The materials used today are durable, UV resistant and last.

- In the event of becoming scratched, torn or otherwise messed up, the wrap (or even a small section of it) can be easily replicated and replaced.

- In terms of color distortion of the aluminum or its clear coat I do not suspect that will be anything near what may occur if painted directly onto the clear coat surface. And, Yes, some weathering with occur overtime (and typically due to UV prone fading) but that will be the case for either. Proper maintenance (waxing will help mitigate such).

Also noteworthy to consider, if designing a mural (i.e. similar to a Logo) it can be much smaller small and be proportionally enlarged during the process of producing the wrap to the desired size. You can still have your friend design the mural on paper and then see it transitioned to a larger size in the form of a wrap.

I also personally suspect you'll likely end spending less in the long run particularly should removal of it come into play. Removal of the wrap is easy, removal of paint on top of the clear coat not so.

[Lumatic]

I did a wrap on the tailgate of my truck. Within a few years it had faded and cracked. Just saying!

[Glenritas]

I think this is a wrap . I guess one could call it a Cowcita

[TinShanty]

WOW! What a Concept! Post the results!

[1973colorado]

Go with the Wrap, you can always take it off when it comes time to sell it.