Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post project writeups, ideas, DIY mods and off the shelf modifications and improvements. Also "Known Issues" and their resolutions.
User avatar
HoosierB
**Forum Contributor**
Posts: 473
Joined: May 21st, 2015, 7:00 pm
Location: South Bend, Indiana

Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by HoosierB »

In addition to my summer project of remodel/upgrade to the '01 Concourse XL interior... I will be redoing the exterior as well. The new-to-me Chinook spent all of it's life baking in the Florida sun. I don't need to tell you what that does to fiberglass/gelcoat and plastic bits. The faded stripes/graphics that were painted on at the factory are toast. Since I live next to the RV Capital of the World (Elkhart, Indiana) there is no shortage of RV parts suppliers, service shops and specialists. On a recent visit to one of the more popular restoration shops to get an estimate on a "peel and seal" of the roof, the manager did a walk around of my rig and suggested a new paint job may be in order. I thought a buff and polish could bring back the Chinook's luster only to find out she was beyond that level of refurbishment (sigh). It was time for a base coat/clear coat paint job. So I went back to my drawing board (computer) to play around with some new paint scheme ideas. One thing I learned early on as a graphic designer, was to appreciate the idea of "less is more". Back in the day when RV's went stripe happy, the Chinook was no exception. I like the fact the Chinook has a "relief" effect in it's molded body design. A unique feature not shared by most other manufactures. However, like some of the interior amenities in the Chinook, the factory painted stripes go a bit overboard (IMHO). Another thing to add, I'm not a fan of the new style "swooshy" graphics so popular on today's RV's. Todays manufacturers need to fill a very large flat canvas, which is not the case for my year of Chinook. So, I chose to keep the overall unit in it's original white. The only other color would be a satin cashmere metallic (Lexus color) used on the lower body and "some" of the horizontal panel sections.
Attachments
chinook paint scheme.jpg
"Wanda" – '01 Chinook Concourse XL V10
User avatar
Blue~Go
Senior Member
Posts: 3716
Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:01 am
Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by Blue~Go »

Another interesting thread!

I'm with you -- I am not a fan of "the swoops."

I also agree that there are a lot of stripes on the striped Chinooks. I'm so glad they are stripes though that I don't mind. However that said, if I were re-painting, I too would be considering other schemes (with a nod to the body relief shapes, as you say).

I feel a bit goofy critiquing your design, since you are a graphic designer, but I'll take a stab at it.

When I look at it, I feel like something is slightly missing. I DO like that it is understated, and I generally find the paint schemes on RV's to be hideous and overdone. Also it may be that I'm so used to the stripes now that anything else looks slightly wrong. But I'll try to articulate what I see.

1) Somehow the window looks slightly unrelated to the design now.

2) It looks maybe a little "heavy" in the back now compared to the front. The cab is more blank, and there is more "detail" in the rear.

I like the solid rocker panel effect.

I wonder what a subtle outline/pinstripe on the stripes would do (but not so much that you are back where you started)? Or maybe if the middle stripe continued forward on the cab somewhat like before?

It's neat that you can do the mockups like this for us to see - thanks.
1999 Concourse
User avatar
HoosierB
**Forum Contributor**
Posts: 473
Joined: May 21st, 2015, 7:00 pm
Location: South Bend, Indiana

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by HoosierB »

Blue-Go,

Thanks for your comments. Still playing with other ideas. And your right about the windows. The large windows were one of the reasons we chose a Chinook over the other "Class B (cave-like vans)"... but they're also the Chinook's exterior "design wart"... you just can't disguise them. I'm sure this is what the Chinook designers were faced with, and their answer was add more stripes.
"Wanda" – '01 Chinook Concourse XL V10
User avatar
Blue~Go
Senior Member
Posts: 3716
Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:01 am
Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by Blue~Go »

It's interesting to look at the Premiers and compare (since they have the rectangular windows). Especially when they went to the Millenium (swoopy) paint scheme, as then both the Concourse and the Premier had the same graphics but the different windows.

In some ways I would have preferred the Premier windows. On ours (Concourse), I like the exterior look of the parallelograms, and also the one long view from the couch/sink window. And the mirroring is neat. What I don't like is that the single window "forced" the sink counter to be lower, and also I imagine the rectangles open further. Although, side note on that: The window in mine on the sink side really didn't open very far. I looked up in the overhead section of the track, and saw there was a screwed in bumper to limit the travel. Well, after removing it I found I could open the window quite a bit further before it touched. In other words, the bumper can be moved forward, still keep the window from hitting the other frame at the bottom (why the bumper is there), and you get more open window area. Hmm, maybe I should start a thread on this, as it's certainly a tangent!

Although as you note, the stripes are.... well, very stripey... on the original "racing" livery, I do like how they integrate the window design. It would be nice to still do that but in a more subtle way (if there is one, that is).

Have you seen photos of the all-grey Destiny? I saved a few because I thought it was interesting. Maybe too hot though - maybe a lighter grey would help.
passenger side.jpg
passenger corner.jpg
rear.jpg
1999 Concourse
User avatar
Blue~Go
Senior Member
Posts: 3716
Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:01 am
Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by Blue~Go »

Guessing this one would not be your cup of tea :lol:
passenger side.jpg
Random others...
1995 interesting paint job.jpg
2002 Chinook camo.jpg
1999 Concourse
User avatar
Blue~Go
Senior Member
Posts: 3716
Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:01 am
Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by Blue~Go »

Okay, I know this isn't what you want, and maybe inappropriate to put in your thread (?), but I find it interesting to see the same shape in different schemes, even if they are ones I would never want. It's so amazing how graphics can change the look of the identical "box."
passenger side.jpg
What I was actually looking for was a photo I saved of a re-painted Concourse that had yellow stripes, with the same flavor as the originals, but "less of them." As I remember it, they were a bit chunky looking (to me) but still caught my eye. I'll see if I can find it later and post it.
1999 Concourse
Manitou
Site Admin
Posts: 779
Joined: January 12th, 2014, 7:18 pm

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by Manitou »

Haha.. Those Baja paint schemes are rediculous. (Almost so rediculous I start to like them again.. But not quite ;))
I like my swoops thank you :P
I felt the paint scheme prior to the swoops were so dated. Now the swoop style is played out and new styles are being scene. Why not model it after something current that you like?
User avatar
Blue~Go
Senior Member
Posts: 3716
Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:01 am
Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by Blue~Go »

Manitou wrote: I like my swoops thank you :P
Understood that it is just personal preference. Clearly I'm in the minority in not liking swoops, as people are buying them in vast numbers. Luckily (for me) there is also the classic Chinook livery (the stripes).

It's always fun to see an "oddball" vs. the usuals :) (Not meaning odd in and of themselves, but just more one-off.)

Here is one currently for sale that I've never seen before:
2003 Concourse different swoopy paint.png
1999 Concourse
Manitou
Site Admin
Posts: 779
Joined: January 12th, 2014, 7:18 pm

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by Manitou »

Ha.. That is crazy looking. I'm betting a retired MMA fighter would be all about it! Haha
User avatar
HoosierB
**Forum Contributor**
Posts: 473
Joined: May 21st, 2015, 7:00 pm
Location: South Bend, Indiana

Re: Exterior paint/graphics idea

Post by HoosierB »

Manitou wrote: I felt the paint scheme prior to the swoops were so dated. Now the swoop style is played out and new styles are being scene. Why not model it after something current that you like?
Not much new that adapts well to those body relief panels/lines (IMHO) as discussed earlier. I guess I'm leaning to a more subtle look. I would still like to retain the horizontal panels in a single color... but not zig zagging around the windows and the upper cab area. Blue-Go suggested extending the center stripe across the cab like in the OEM design. A pretty good idea. Maybe more like this:
Attachments
chinook3a.jpg
"Wanda" – '01 Chinook Concourse XL V10
Post Reply