Newmar Motor Coach Tech Session in Nappanee, Indiana

[Mike Phillips]

Newmar Motor Coach Tech Session in Nappanee, Indiana (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/company-forum-news-headlines/94903-newmar-motor-coach-tech-session-nappanee-indiana.html)


On Thursday, September 3rd, Bob McKee and myself were at the Newmar Motor Coach manufacturing plant in Nappanee, Indiana for a training session with Ritch Diener, the head of the finishing department and his team.

Bob recently purchased a Newmar Dutch Star Motor Coach and one of the features that elevates the Newmar brand of motor coaches to the top is the quality of the finish on their motor coaches.

Newmar motor coaches come with a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish with the quality and design that matches the finishes you see in the custom car world. In order to get this type of high end quality finish requires the same steps required to create a custom finish on a show car.

Ritch gave us an in-depth tour of their painting and finishing process and afterwards we had a tech session on proper machine sanding and polishing techniques to minimize step while maximizing the final results.

This was a private session as the process they use is proprietary to their manufacturing system. So I can't share any pictures from our training session.

I was however given permission to take pictures inside the staging department where you can see these beautiful high end motor coaches getting the finishing touches before leaving for RV dealerships around the country.


Left to right…

Todd Beachy, Ritchie Diener, Mike Phillips, Bob McKee, John Looney and Jason Mishler

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99419


Left to right…

Todd Beachy, Ritchie Diener, Joe Bellman, Mike Phillips, John Looney and Jason

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99420


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Check these pictures out...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99405

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99406


The incredible graphic you see are painted over the basecoat and under the clearcoat which is the write way to do this type of custom paint work and also requires many more steps to do it right.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99407

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99408

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99409

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99410

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99411

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99412

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99413

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99414


Here's a Newmar RV in the paint booth ready for the next step.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99415

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=99416


While I can't share any of the company's process I will say that for me, coming from a background of sanding and buffing in the automotive world, the process used at Newmar is not only top notch but exceeds the norms in the automotive world.

More pictures to come...


:)

[FUNX650]

I always like visiting the cities up in that part
of Indiana: Nappanee, Wakarusa, Bremen,
Elkhart...The "RV Capitol" of the World.

The Amish countryside provides many
skilled workers to this industry.
Good People; Good Products!


Bob

[High Caliber]

Really cool paint graphics, love the designs. I can't imaging the man hours from start to finish on just the paint work.

[custmsprty]

Wow, really cool. Thanks for sharing Mike.

[whavens]

Those are beautiful RVs. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

Walter

:buffing:

[Jaretr1]

Very Cool.

I have a neighbor who has a Winnebago that he bought new, picked up from the factory himself maybe 10-12 years ago. It was over $100k. His graphics and gelcoat have gone to crap, decals peeling off. Obviously he didnt maintain it as well as he could have, but most RV owners probably dont. Needless to say its no where near the quality of the above pictures and process.

[Jaretr1]

I was just looking at their website....wow, those are some nice motorhomes!

[cardaddy]

Pretty kewl... :dblthumb2:

Newmar has been putting out nice trailers and coaches for decades now. My folks even had one (first one was a trailer by them) back in the 70's. Later to have a Dodge 440 powered coach, but long before they started making 'pushers' much less Class A coaches.

The paint job on modern coaches is something to behold indeed. :) Can't imagine the time they put into laying out, and clearing those monsters!

But then again when you move up to the big diesel pushers with the steerable tag axles you can drop a mill plus on one and not even get warmed up with all the custom goodies yet. It better have great paint! ;)

[Mike Phillips]

I always like visiting the cities up in that part
of Indiana: Nappanee, Wakarusa, Bremen,
Elkhart...The "RV Capitol" of the World.

The Amish countryside provides many
skilled workers to this industry.
Good People; Good Products!


Bob

The work ethic is one of the most apparent things you see as you take a tour through their facility. Everyone works hard and the quality of the finished product reflects the dedication of the employees and the company to being number one in their industry.






Really cool paint graphics, love the designs. I can't imaging the man hours from start to finish on just the paint work.



To watch these guys tape-off the graphics and then see the motor coach bodies from the start of the process to the final wipe is nothing short of impressive.






Wow, really cool. Thanks for sharing Mike.





Those are beautiful RVs. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

Walter




It was an honor to be their guests for the tech session and our pleasure to share the pictures from our visit.






Very Cool.

I have a neighbor who has a Winnebago that he bought new, picked up from the factory himself maybe 10-12 years ago. It was over $100k. His graphics and gelcoat have gone to crap, decals peeling off.

Obviously he didnt maintain it as well as he could have, but most RV owners probably dont. Needless to say its no where near the quality of the above pictures and process.



Kind of the norm of that aspect of the industry. The Newmar company has carved out their territory by offering only best in class motor coaches and they deserve all the success they enjoy.






I was just looking at their website....wow, those are some nice motorhomes!



The pictures don't even come close to what it's like to see multiple coaches all inside a single building. Simply unreal and amazing at the same time.




Pretty kewl...

The paint job on modern coaches is something to behold indeed.

Can't imagine the time they put into laying out, and clearing those monsters!




It's really both a craft and an art form when you see it being done in person. Impressive is the only word that comes to mind when you watch the painters painting these monsters.


:)

[CUME91]

Looking at upgrading to a Newmar. Any specific recommendations on products and equipment to maintain that wonderful finish?

[Mike Phillips]

Since this is your first post to our forum....


Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:






Looking at upgrading to a Newmar. Any specific recommendations on products and equipment to maintain that wonderful finish?




Don't know if you've seen this post that was made this morning but here's what I would use and recommend, (that's two things)


McKee's RV (http://mckeesrv.com/index.html)!


http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-143533817570298_2383_16049155


:dblthumb2:

[Mittenz]

I love detailing, but those things look like they would take a month to do!!
Mike, get one to your shop and do a live video start to finish!! LOL!!

[Mike Phillips]

I love detailing, but those things look like they would take a month to do!!
Mike, get one to your shop and do a live video start to finish!! LOL!!


While we didn't do a live broadcast for these types of large rigs we have had,



Meguiar's Big Rig Extreme Makeover - Pictures & Videos! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/77731-meguiar-s-big-rig-extreme-makeover-pictures-videos.html)

This is the thread where we will be posting the before and after pictures from the Meguiar's Semi Truck & Trailer aka the Meguiar's BIG RIG!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2283/Meguiars_Truck_Detail_Fest_2014_001.jpg


North Miami Beach Police Mobil Command Unit - Show Car Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/63069-north-miami-beach-police-mobil-command-unit-show-car-makeover.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1806/Police_Command_Van.jpg


And of course both of the above projects are fully documented with before, during and after pictures. Just click on the links I included to see all the pictures.


I'm more into buffing out cool cars, not gargantuan projects. Just a personal preference.

:d

[Mittenz]

While we didn't do a live broadcast for these types of large rigs we have had,



Meguiar's Big Rig Extreme Makeover - Pictures & Videos! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/77731-meguiar-s-big-rig-extreme-makeover-pictures-videos.html)

This is the thread where we will be posting the before and after pictures from the Meguiar's Semi Truck & Trailer aka the Meguiar's BIG RIG!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2283/Meguiars_Truck_Detail_Fest_2014_001.jpg


:dWhat a beast! I certainly don't need anything like that, but I sure do want it!!