graphics and keystone

topjimmy wrote:
Yep fair enough at least they are trying to use better ones than my 2012 Monty where they did start to peal in a few spots and all the thousands of perforated holes on the newer Graphics to let them breath is a start and I have never seen any bad reports about the newer graphics on the Montana Forum from Folks that live in Arizona Etc.. where the heat is brutal on them but we will see, Now Faded gel coat on the front Caps THAT is a different story and folks are still having problems with that on the front cap unless they have full body paint

Ralph Cramden wrote:

topjimmy wrote:
Montana started putting new improved graphics in 2015 which have thousands of little holes to let them "breath" and are way better looking and durable than the old Big Mountain scene of old

Report back what they look like in 2020 or 2021. Keystone and other manufacturers use the cheapest graphics that can be had, supplied by the lowest bidder, just like all the other cheap junk they use. That's why a year or two later the same design can usually not be obtained, and if they can they're super expensive because they are custom ordering them. You may think they improved their graphics, personally I highly doubt it. They're not using top of the line 3M or Oracal vinyl, not even close. They use some Chinese knockoff vinyl that has a low resistance to UV. Even the good stuff has a limited life...10 to 12 years max.

TopJimmy.....my daughter in law is a self employeed graphic artist and consultant and has every piece of equipment imaginable when it comes to producing all sorts of advertising media, decals, etc. She just camo'd a pair of new front loader Redi Mix concrete trucks....Even the best material that can be had is limited to its lifespan from UV and the elements in general and 10 years is pushing the envelope even with 3M and Oracal which are the best. The RV manufacturers are not using the best and if by chance they are both make different grades of material. All they (the rv manufacturer)cares about is if it lasts beyond the warranty so they're off the hook.

bpounds wrote:
Thanks for this thread. Subscribing.

Pleased to see the selection of decals on eBay. Now to figure out an efficient way to remove the old ones.

As for whether Keystone improved the decal quality, ours was built in 2010. The 2 sides that face the sun, south and east facing in our storage spot, are peeling badly. North and west, which includes the front cap, look almost like new. None really faded, just peeling. We are in sunny So Cal. This does seem better than some from earlier model years.

Considering the age of mine ( 2008 ) they have held up pretty good, the front was the worst, the past 2-3 years the sides have started to peel, I have just kept cleaning them on the edges until they got too bad ,then replaced one here ,and there, having the full set Keystone sent me.

As far as removing IMO there is no real good way , heat gun, and adhesive remover. Sometimes the graphic ,and adhesive comes off pretty good other times the adhesive remains, and it still requires some work with the adhesive remover. 3M adhesive remover has worked the best for me, but goo gone or similar also works, which I have used. Some say WD40 also works.

Problem is, even if you find the graphics at a reasonable price, they will go bad again.
Faced with the same dilema on out last TT, I removed the faded stickers and had the front cap professionaly painted with a two part epoxy paint. Cost was $800 but I never had to worry about fading again. The front looked fantastic for the rest of the time we had it.

Thanks for this thread. Subscribing.

Pleased to see the selection of decals on eBay. Now to figure out an efficient way to remove the old ones.

As for whether Keystone improved the decal quality, ours was built in 2010. The 2 sides that face the sun, south and east facing in our storage spot, are peeling badly. North and west, which includes the front cap, look almost like new. None really faded, just peeling. We are in sunny So Cal. This does seem better than some from earlier model years.

Yep fair enough at least they are trying to use better ones than my 2012 Monty where they did start to peal in a few spots and all the thousands of perforated holes on the newer Graphics to let them breath is a start and I have never seen any bad reports about the newer graphics on the Montana Forum from Folks that live in Arizona Etc.. where the heat is brutal on them but we will see, Now Faded gel coat on the front Caps THAT is a different story and folks are still having problems with that on the front cap unless they have full body paint

Ralph Cramden wrote:

topjimmy wrote:
Montana started putting new improved graphics in 2015 which have thousands of little holes to let them "breath" and are way better looking and durable than the old Big Mountain scene of old

Report back what they look like in 2020 or 2021. Keystone and other manufacturers use the cheapest graphics that can be had, supplied by the lowest bidder, just like all the other cheap junk they use. That's why a year or two later the same design can usually not be obtained, and if they can they're super expensive because they are custom ordering them. You may think they improved their graphics, personally I highly doubt it. They're not using top of the line 3M or Oracal vinyl, not even close. They use some Chinese knockoff vinyl that has a low resistance to UV. Even the good stuff has a limited life...10 to 12 years max.

Ooops

topjimmy wrote:
Montana started putting new improved graphics in 2015 which have thousands of little holes to let them "breath" and are way better looking and durable than the old Big Mountain scene of old

Report back what they look like in 2020 or 2021. Keystone and other manufacturers use the cheapest graphics that can be had, supplied by the lowest bidder, just like all the other cheap junk they use. That's why a year or two later the same design can usually not be obtained, and if they can they're super expensive because they are custom ordering them. You may think they improved their graphics, personally I highly doubt it. They're not using top of the line 3M or Oracal vinyl, not even close. They use some Chinese knockoff vinyl that has a low resistance to UV. Even the good stuff has a limited life...10 to 12 years max.

fj12ryder wrote:
That's a shame, we had the same problem with our 2010 Fuzion after 4 or 5 years. But we did get the decals, after taking some pictures and emailing them to Keystone. We still have them sitting in the garage, but at least we do have them. They should have stood behind their work and replaced yours.

Same here, took pictures , first they sent me just the front, send additional pictures of one side graphic getting bad , then they sent me the entire set including the front . So I ended up with two sets for the front . Mine is a 2008 Montana 3400 RL , so this was probably around 2010 or 11when they were starting to go bad and I contacted Keystone.

The second set of front graphics are now looking pretty bad , held up much longer then originals ,need to replace now. The sides I have replaced just a few as they get bad , they have held up much better.

It’s unfotuneate they still don’t supply them, at least make them available for the first four or five years.

Thinking seriously of getting mine painted , and doing some upgrades , other then the graphics no issues. I can do a lot for the 60-70k they want for a new Montana, and arguably an inferior build .

I'm planning on painting the stupid black nose cap on my KZ to match the body, at some point in time. IF I replace any graphics, I'd do something like a full-on nose shot of UP 4014 belching coal smoke =and= mount a headlight in the cap. :B

Lyle

I had the front section replaced on my Keystone and when i tried to get graphics they were over $1100 to replace plus installation. I sourced a local graphics shop to make them. They did a pretty good job matching color and size from pictures. It cost about 1/2 of what Keystone or dealer wanted plus were made of higher quality materials. It still was not cheap.