In Post #39 I described getting two new front tires, and Post #40 I pictured some cracks that developed in the windshield. Both issues are now resolved.
Tires - The two Michelin front tires I had to buy in Tucson were recalled for mis-labeling soon after returning home in May. There was no physical or manufacturing defect with the tires; they were labeled as snow tires but not certified as such. I was not satisfied with them as front tires at any rate. They were more aggressive and suited for trucks and 4-wheel drives. They didn't track well and tended to wander, requiring more steering effort. The replacement offer was welcome, so I elected to get six new tires. It seems wasteful to discard tires only half worn out, but the OEM Hankook tires were seven years old and had cracking along the sidewalls. And regard the fact that one failed. Of the choices available, I decided on Firestone Transport tires. They are rated equivalent to Hankook and other brands, and I had good experience with Firestones on our previous RV. I wanted Nokian tires, but they were not available. My seat-of-the-pants assessment is that the Firestones seem to be smoother riding than the Hankooks.
Windshield - I went by a former service shop and found it had been converted to a Novus auto glass shop. So I figured I would ask about replacing the Transit windshield. I expected to pay the cost because the cracks were not from driving or hazards except for a stone chip that did spread at least four years after the fact. The manager offered to contact my insurance company anyway. As he did, I provided my policy info and answered a few questions giving an approximate incident date. The result was 100% coverage, no deductible, and expert installation of a new windshield. I even got my upper tinting done like I did before (Post #11) and paid by insurance.
Paint and finish - I continue to experience fading, cracks in the front cap, and general dullness of the side panels. I am resigned to the fact that a fiberglass/plastic body RV will degrade over time from weather and sun exposure. Two previous FRP RVs developed similar problems. I try to keep up with washing and waxing, but extended time in storage and harsh elements takes a toll.
The arrow points to a fade spot that like a layer of gel or color that has come off. I covered the cracks with Gorilla tape (circle).
To the left of the red lines is what the coach panels looked like one year after three days of laborious polishing and waxing, plus an additional professional cleaning and waxing five months later. On the right side of the lines is the result of my latest effort. My process involved spraying a light film of WD-40 on the side and then rubbing with a cloth. The result from ten minutes of work was equivalent to an hour of tiring polishing with an orbital polisher. I have been criticized for using WD-40 on the coach, and perhaps the long term will prove them right. I definitely AM NOT recommending this. I treated all the side panels and decals this way and then washed them with mild detergent and a rinse. I used no wax or other treatment. After a month exposed to the usual in storage, everything still looks reasonably shiny. We shall see what it looks like next summer from the WD-40 treatment.
