LightShip 4 is Getting Wrapped

[turbopilot]

LightShip 4 canopy is getting a vinyl wrap. I am not a big fan of dark colors on vehicles and it doesn't get any darker than black. I operate primarily in the desert Southwest and so far this season I have exposed the LightShip to temperatures as high as 108F. With air temperatures that high, the black surface temperatures get very hot. I tested the LightShip during the hottest days of the recent heat wave in the desert Southwest. The 3M Brushed Aluminum vinyl wrap lowers the black painted canopy painted surfaces temperatures around 50 F.

I am wrapping all the canopy painted surfaces and the AeroHub with 3M 2080 Vinyl Wrap that has a Brushed Aluminum appearance. Here is what it looks like.



So far today the entire lower area of the canopy was wrapped. Tomorrow they start on upper black areas of the canopy up to the solar panels. The wrap has a grain to it just like actual brushed aluminum you would find on an Airstream. When the canopy is down all visible surfaces will look like brushed aluminum except the windows and solar panels. The wrap will include an additional layer of paint protection film on the lower canopy surfaces near the AeroHub and the lower part of the polycarbonate forward windows near the AeroHub. These areas get road rash from the tow vehicle tires.

I also just completed installing an onboard Level 2 NACS WiFi charger. This charger connects directly to a weather proof NEMA L14-30 plug next to the hitch on the PowerBoost to support Level 2 V2V In-motion charging of the LightShip. I will document that install in a future post.

I have about 10 more days of modifications and improvements and the LightShip will be ready for its first camping trip in Bryce Canyon National Park in May.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Love the idea of the change of color, makes sense to me, never understood why RVs are dark color as it makes a very notable difference in temp.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product and enjoy reading your write ups!

 

[turbopilot]

Applying Windshield Protection wrap on the polycarbonate front facing windows. This is a special film made for windshields with superior optical clarity. When it gets pitted or scratched it can be "steamed" off and reapplied. The painted wrap surfaces below the polycarbonate windows will have a Paint Protection Film applied over the wrap. This is a tougher longer lasting protection against road rash from TV tires for the underlying wrap.

There is a 20 degree F difference in the surface heat of the Dusk Horizon Grey paint on the Cosmos below the windows (120F) and the 3M Brushed Aluminum wrap (100F) in early morning direct sunlight with ambient temperature of 55F.

 

[turbopilot]

Dramatic metamorphosis of the LightShip begins.