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Tue Feb 07, 2017 6:01 pm

I have the opportunity to purchase a used Fiamma f45s awning at a good price. 8 feet, Polar white case with white and gray canvas. My van is Orly Blue, with Orly Blue pop tent shell. Tent is gray.

Will the white fiamma be too starkly contrasted? Looking online, I see darker color vans with black or gray cases.

Has anyone successfully painted the case?

Thanks. I am aesthetically challenged.

Tue Feb 07, 2017 9:36 pm

HackAl wrote: I have the opportunity to purchase a used Fiamma f45s awning at a good price. 8 feet, Polar white case with white and gray canvas. My van is Orly Blue, with Orly Blue pop tent shell. Tent is gray.

Will the white fiamma be too starkly contrasted? Looking online, I see darker color vans with black or gray cases.

Has anyone successfully painted the case?

Thanks. I am aesthetically challenged.

I personally wouldn't want that combo but the Fiamma could be masked and painted in an afternoon so if the price is right then go for it.

Tue Feb 07, 2017 10:04 pm

The price is about half of what it would be new, shipped. He's throwing in two arched rafters. I still need to get the mounting brackets.

I told him I'd buy it. And yes, I'd probably paint it. Just don't want to screw it up. Another post mentioned this Krylon paint, but I'm not so sure. How do you repaint painted aluminum?

Tue Feb 07, 2017 11:27 pm

HackAl wrote: The price is about half of what it would be new, shipped. He's throwing in two arched rafters. I still need to get the mounting brackets.

I told him I'd buy it. And yes, I'd probably paint it. Just don't want to screw it up. Another post mentioned this Krylon paint, but I'm not so sure. How do you repaint painted aluminum?

You can probably rattle can it with Krylon. Just make sure it has good UV protection and tape everything off nicely.

Hit the surface with a scotch brite pad to give the paint something to stick to then primer and paint. Even if it's powder coated it will still work. Just take your time and keep your distance to avoid paint blobs.

Wed Feb 08, 2017 12:31 pm

Yes they can be painted. I have painted several including my F65s. You will want to open it and mask off the legs then close it until its almost closed to mask the inner areas before spraying.

Wed Feb 08, 2017 12:53 pm

And wipe it down with a wax remover before painting. Test a portion before you commit to wiping the whole case down.

Wed Feb 08, 2017 4:29 pm

So, If I'm reading all this right:

1. Sand with Scotch-brite pad.
2. Wipe down with wax remover.
3. Tape inside and out.
4. Apply primer
5. Apply paint

I was also thinking about a vinyl adhesive, much like they use for lettering trucks. The case may be too irregular for it though.

Thanks for the help! Would love to see any pictures you can post of the final painted cases.

Wed Feb 08, 2017 7:51 pm

Metallic black

Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:33 pm

Nice!

Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:58 pm

1) You'll love the awning! It adds notable living space to the van.
2) Consider installing the awning and waiting awhile before painting it. You may end up not hating it. Also, a factory finish can look better than a
rattle-can job. I prefer unmodified finishes 8 of 10 times. Other folks are the opposite.
3) The risk of waiting is that you become accustomed to something that looks dumb.
4) Aesthetics aren't easy.

Enjoy!

Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:10 am

newfisher wrote: Metallic black

Not to side track the thread, but the question has been answered for OP's purpose.

How many mounting points do you have for it. Just curious to see and how you did it.
Thanks.

Thu Feb 09, 2017 5:08 am

HackAl wrote: So, If I'm reading all this right:

1. Sand with Scotch-brite pad.
2. Wipe down with wax remover.
3. Tape inside and out.
4. Apply primer
5. Apply paint

I was also thinking about a vinyl adhesive, much like they use for lettering trucks. The case may be too irregular for it though.

Thanks for the help! Would love to see any pictures you can post of the final painted cases.

FWIW I do not like scotchbrite pads to be used right before painting. Unlike sand paper the scotchbrite pads can have nubs that are more aggressive (larger 'grit') than the predominant size of the pad and can leave deeper scratches that can show up in the final paint job. I would scuff it with a good quality 400 grit rather than scotchbrite, but I am sure others have used the scotchbrite pads with success. YMMV. (Advice came from my local auto paint shop years ago....)

Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:35 am

dobryan wrote:
FWIW I do not like scotchbrite pads to be used right before painting. Unlike sand paper the scotchbrite pads can have nubs that are more aggressive (larger 'grit') than the predominant size of the pad and can leave deeper scratches that can show up in the final paint job. I would scuff it with a good quality 400 grit rather than scotchbrite, but I am sure others have used the scotchbrite pads with success. YMMV. (Advice came from my local auto paint shop years ago....)

What color Scotchbrite pad? Each color has a different texture. For example the white ones are 1000 grit. I understand what your saying because it happens, but think you can use them as you would sandpaper going from rough to fine and be careful along the way. If you overuse sandpaper it gets clogged up too.

Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:47 am

Steve M. wrote: dobryan wrote:
FWIW I do not like scotchbrite pads to be used right before painting. Unlike sand paper the scotchbrite pads can have nubs that are more aggressive (larger 'grit') than the predominant size of the pad and can leave deeper scratches that can show up in the final paint job. I would scuff it with a good quality 400 grit rather than scotchbrite, but I am sure others have used the scotchbrite pads with success. YMMV. (Advice came from my local auto paint shop years ago....)

What color Scotchbrite pad? Each color has a different texture. For example the white ones are 1000 grit. I understand what your saying because it happens, but think you can use them as you would sandpaper going from rough to fine and be careful along the way. If you overuse sandpaper it gets clogged up too.

It was more of a general comment, not specific to any color pad. My guess is that it is not a common issue, but that they have had it happen enough to warn folks they deal with.

Thu Feb 09, 2017 10:00 am

Steve M. wrote: newfisher wrote: Metallic black

Not to side track the thread, but the question has been answered for OP's purpose.

How many mounting points do you have for it. Just curious to see and how you did it.
Thanks.

There is a mounting kit for the F65s that comes with 3 large flat aluminum pads. My cross bar length and location of the Mega Warrior rack system are adjusted to allow the Fiamma brackets to rest between the outer edge of the rack and the end of the cross bar leaving the space needed for the F65s to lay ontop of the crossbars.

12 feet wide and almost 10 feet out when deployed. Lp fire pit in th emiddle on a rainy day instanly turns 120 square feet into a great space

Sat Feb 11, 2017 2:22 pm

Ok, so I have it now. The case is faded and less brilliant than I expected. That's good, actually. I may be able to live with it. Will send pictures once mounted.

Speaking of mounting, does anyone have any spare brackets before I purchase them?

I'm also looking for the small piece shown on the right. It's the center rafter mounting bracket. The one I have is broken (and the seller discounted $50). The unit was also a little squeaking and the legs very dirty.

.

I tried to Krazy Glue but I'm not sure it will hold. I see it here for $23 if all else fails.

All in all, I'm very excited about this find. I've already installed the crank and rafter above the stove.

Sat Feb 11, 2017 3:51 pm

Plaster it over time with trip stickers. If it looks old leave it that way, less likely someone decides to take it. (I put the mounting bolts facing in so it is slightly harder to get at the nuts).

Sat Feb 11, 2017 7:52 pm

Dave, that's a great idea. I may just do that.

By the way, I was intrigued with your now famous awning design and used a similar concept all last season. It worked great but I was ready for an upgrade.

Your design definitely had the weight advantage.

Thanks!

Sat Feb 11, 2017 8:28 pm

Yah, I broke down and got a fiamma for my current van. Ha!

It is a simple pleasure, but makes a big difference in your campsite. I added led strip lights to the end of it and I have been considering getting a screen room to go around it.

Sat Feb 11, 2017 10:07 pm

You could plasti dip it and see how you like it. Then peel it off later. I did my Rhein wheels to see if I liked them black and was then going to powder coat them. That was a couple years ago and they still look great. You might just like the satin finish that plasti dip has. There are lots of options.