Decals splitting and peeling

A plain ole hair dryer will give you the same results as a heat gun, just a bit slower. We had to replace the rear graphic on our "07 ROO HTT and I had it done in 20 or 30 minutes, cleaned off with Goo Gone, rinsed and ready for DH to apply the new one. That said, my cousin's DH in Houston removed all the striping and decals from their '03(?) KZ with the aluminum siding and it was a PITA. Don't know of the siding made the difference or just the age, but he picked striping specks forever before it was done.

If you replace them yourself, handy hint is to wet the area first with a solution of a bit of Dawn and water, then peel off the backing on your decal and the water gives you the time and ease of getting it lined up just right. Then very gently squeegee the water and any bubbles and let it dry. FR didn't tell us this, just to peel the backing and apply. DH was concerned that it wouldn't line up right and then remembered when we applied the name graphics to our boat, those were the instructions. Works like a charm and has no effect on the adhesive on the decal....just makes the job a LOT easier. If the new decal does not come with a squeegee, head for Lowe's or HD and in their wallpaper tools section you can find a small - maybe 3 - 4" plastic smoothing tool - and that'll do it.

Thanks

Jpbeck1 wrote:
I need to find a post on how to remove the stickers-- my trailer is about 7 years old and they are faded and cracked.

Use a heat gun (about $10.00 from Harbor Freight) and CAREFULLY heat up the adhesive. It'll come apart when you remove it and likely won't have many pieces bigger than a Credit Card. Some "GooGone" will take off the remaining adhesive.

Just be VERY CAREFUL not to get the surface too hot or you may blister the paint and/or fiberglass.

I need to find a post on how to remove the stickers-- my trailer is about 7 years old and they are faded and cracked.

It's not just a "Thor" issue. The 2011 Coachmen we just sold had the front decal Very faded and the decals on the non-door side were starting to crack.

Have to try the 303 on the new KZ.

We have a 2011 TT. It was made for a Canadian Company by Monaco. After 6 months of having the TT we noticed the decals started to chip at the top. We contacted the dealer and sent pics. He wasn't sure they would be warranty.

Monaco has sent the dealer a complete new set, under warranty and also covered the installation. They gave us no trouble, agreeing this was a warranty issue. They are still to be applied, LOL. We have just not been able to get the TT to the dealer at times that work for us both. Monaco has been great with any issues or questions we have presented to them.

If your dealer brushes you off, get in contact with the manufacturer directly. Even though Monaco no longer have the line they said they will still honour all warranty issues or problems we may have.

Thanks for the advice! I'll be calling my dealer. I haven't even camped in it yet!!

The decals on my 2011 Open Range are really bad. They have not been waxed, but I have used Aerospace 303 on them, I am now in the process of removing them. I am going to have a bare trailer soon.

SooperDaddy is right...they use poor quality graphics. 303 is a great product and will help.

I saw your post, and before I even clicked on it to read it I knew it was a Thor Built RV! Brand new and the decals already peeling, faded or cracking. Wow!

My Jayco was 8 years old when I sold it last month...the original vinyl graphics were perfect.

If you do get a new set installed...follow the directions for vinyl graphic care. When it comes to the graphics Thor seems to like using..it may not help however..

NEVER WAX THE GRAPHICS! EVER! If wax gets on them, remove the wax with a non-petroleum based product. Use nothing containing ANY percentage of Petroleum Distillates listed on the label.

Use no silicone products either such as WD40. Distillates of Petroleum will remove the "plastisizers" from the Vinyl, and UV fade and vinyl graphic cracking WILL accelerate.

DO USE 303 Aerospace or Protectal Protectorants, spray on a cloth and wipe the graphics. These products are safe, will not harm the vinyl, colors OR adhesive backing.

INFO ON 303 Aerospace Spray-It was developed by Dupont Chemical Engineers to protect the expensive graphics and paint jobs on commercial airliners...some of the fancy imron paint and vinyl graphic jobs on Quanta's and Virgin Atlanic Aircraft cost quarter of a million dollars and upwards. Sun damage and UV damage had to be limited and 303 Aerospace was not only safe, but very effective as a SPF 60 sunscreen! Works on your rv too! Tires, vinyl awnings, plastic trim, painted surfaces (car detilers love this stuff!).

Good luck next time!