Wax on vinyl decals

[Denali2015]

Can anyone finally put to rest the issue of getting wax on our vinyl decals. Does it or doesn't it damage the vinyl graphics...

[ScottG]

13 years so far.
I have indeed waxed mine since new. It has done no harm to them.
If you rub hard in one place it will remove some of the color. So don't do that!
Lightly waxing them doesn't remove any of the color and protects them to some degree.
FWIW, i have always used what's cheap; either Turtle wax or Meguiares.

[goducks10]

owenssailor wrote:
I have used NuFinish over my decals for the last 5 years. No sign of deterioration. The trailer is outside year round.

x3 for 4 years.

[alexleblanc]

I use the gel coat labs brand sealant product, two years and counting and everything looks new. It has a high UV-protectant built into the product and goes on super easy.



http://www.fourstarproducts.com/gelcoallmasu.html

[austinjenna]

I have used NuFinish over my decals for the last 5 years. No sign of deterioration. The trailer is outside year round.

X2

[owenssailor]

I have used NuFinish over my decals for the last 5 years. No sign of deterioration. The trailer is outside year round.

[TucsonJim]

I use Thetford Premium RV Wax every four months on my travel trailer, including the decals. Thetford advertises the following: "Won't harm or fade decals". It is a carnauba wax with UV protection. On my last unit, several owners of the same model started complaining of cracked and faded decals at two years of age. Mine still looked pristine at two years while being stored in the Arizona sun.

Jim

[wrgrs50s]

I've heard a few claim they have waxed them for years with no issue but I was waxing mine one time and thought what the heck, wax it all. First thing I noticed was that the blue decals put a lot of blue coloring on my wax pad. So I was thinking that's probably not a good sign if it's pulling the color out.

Also, as another stated about the wax getting under the edges causing them to peel was my other concern as it's virtually impossible to get all the wax out from the edges.

Since then, I'm careful of getting wax on the decals and use Aero 303 instead. So far decals still look good after 5 yrs in the sun. Of course the nose is faded because it gets full time morning and evening sun.

Coming from the printing industry with experience in large format outdoor poster printing, the quality of the vinyl and UV inks used is a major factor in how long your vinyl lasts. Some RV manufacturers purchase the least expensive products that wont last no matter what you use if they set in the sun. My previous RV looked like it had dry rot on the decals after 5 yrs.

[pcm1959]

X2 on the 303.

[tinstartrvlr]

I don't know if there is any truth to what I was told, but it made a little sense.

Had a conversation with a signmaker/graphics guy a while ago and asked him the question about decals. He told me that you shouldn't put wax directly on the decals. He said when you are waxing everything else, use the dry buffing rag (which should have lots of wax dust) to gently wipe the decals. There is just enough wax in the dust to provide protection without penetrating the decal.

He also said when wiping near the decals, always wipe in the direction of the decal along the top and bottom edge, and top to bottom for the sides of the decal (hope I'm making sense with that). He said that if you wipe against the edge of the decal, on a microscopic level you are slowly peeling the decal off. Over time, the result is what you usually see with curling edges.

Like I said I don't know if there is any truth to all of it but it kinda made sense.

Thoughts?

Personally I like 303 but if I can use only one thing, I'm on board.

[bob213]

Best thing I've found is Aerospace 303 protectorant

[pcm1959]

Most waxes contain petroleum distillates. Do NOT apply ANY products containing petroleum distillates to graphics/decals.