approximate cost of replacing decals.

[hotjag1]

Just had a local graphics company give me an estimate on removing and replacing all the decals(several swirl stripes)on the motorhome. Most of them have several cracks in them and some are dull and won't buff to a shine anymore.

The estimate is $3300 to $3600. I was expecting somewhere around $2000 to $2300.

Is this estimate about right for a 40' motorhome, or does this seem high priced for replacing decals?

[RV_wraps]

For a 5'x 75 ft roll of color change wrap material it costs around $750 plus shipping and tax. For full coverage of a 40 ft motorhome you'll need 2-3 of those depending on usage and seams. That puts you at an untaxed and unshipped cost of $1500 to $2250 for the cost of the material alone. Then the installation cost maybe anywhere from $3 per square foot to $12 per square foot depending on what all is required. This may include cleanup and decal removal and adhesive removal, perhaps even equipment removal depending on what's in the way. 

On the other hand there is smaller decals and they can be replaced easily using plastic razor blades, heat, and a good adhesive remover like rapid remover. A clay bar can help smooth the surface to prepare for wrap. 

The benefits of a full wrap can be observed in the timely removal of the vinyl and good treatment of it as well. Other factors would include sealing off edges with silicone to promote longevity, covering it to avoid sunlight, never parking it in the same direction everyday, little things like that. But the key to wrap being a benefit is the removal before it begins to crack or fades. Once the vinyl begins to crack it can have an effect on the paint underneath.

Vinyl graphics are not a paint replacement. Paint is superior and has greater longevity without contest. Paint covers areas which vinyl graphics cannot. But there are such a wide variety of vinyl graphics such as carbon fibers, chromes, metallics, and color shifts that it does present a viable option to many. And while paint is superior to vinyl, vinyl is useful in protecting paint from UV, dust, minor scrapes & scratches, chemicals, and even some dings. 

Wrap final has been improving from its conception. I've worked with vinyl for 22 years and have been witnessed to the changing technologies. There are bad vinyls and good vinyls. Experience helps you determine what's what.

[way2roll]

Helpful information but you are responding to a post that's 10 years old. 

[hotjag1]

Chuck Sances wrote:
Had my very cracked, faded decals replaced at RV Stripes & Graffics in Mesa AZ. last year. Cost around $2700.00. Wife and I had worked on them first until we tired when we contacted them. You cane stay in their lot with electric. It took two and a half days.
Chuck

------------------------------------------------------------

Now I feel better. I did some negotiating with the custom graphics guy, and he is going to do it for $2900, and he will do it at my RV site.

Thanks for all the other suggestions and locations that I'm sure others can benefit from.

[Chuck_Sances]

Had my very cracked, faded decals replaced at RV Stripes & Graffics in Mesa AZ. last year. Cost around $2700.00. Wife and I had worked on them first until we tired when we contacted them. You cane stay in their lot with electric. It took two and a half days.
Chuck

[rgatijnet1]

If you are so inclined, you can buy the materials, AND tools, to repaint the stripes yourself and still be well under the cost of paying someone else to repaint your stripes. Removing them is not that difficult with a heat gun and a little time. Repainting the stripes is well within the capabilities of most people that are handy with tools. It is sort of a messy job but the money saved is significant.

[Tntman]

On my 03 Phaeton, I had the graphics removed and painted on. The shop that did the work was reasonable and did the work quickly. The shop is in Red Bay, AL. It is across from the Tiffin factory wheel shop. The manager is Daniel and it is Mckinney Body Shop. If you decide to contact them be sure to ask for Daniel and tell him that Mike told you to call.
Leave me a note if you want the phone number.
My last comment, if you have graphics replaced with graphics, they will eventually have to be replaced again. Paint lasts almost forever and worth the cost.

[Passin_Thru]

Don't remove them unless you are going to redo or paint or paln on Gelcoating the whole thing. It will always leave a outline. Just look at Teailers going down the highway that companies sold and removed their graphics (Dick Simon was one) You could always see the whole graphic.

[hotjag1]

Thanks for all the suggestions and alternate ideas. I had hoped that more of the people that have had theirs done would have said how much they paid. I would rather have someone else do the work, I just want to be sure my estimate is in line with what most others paid.

[mikey52]

Check with RV Stripes and Graphics in San Bernardino. They do great work at a reasonable price. We had our previous coach totally redone by them.

Mike

www.rvstripes.com

[Pirate1]

.dupe

[Pirate1]

Cost my 6k to have all my old graphics taken off, painted on, and they had to use pinstriping on all the paint edges as the paint was "higher" than the old graphics. I'm glad I did it but now I wish I would have coughed up the extra 4k to just have the entire thing painted.

[Ramair]

if you have a heat gun you could remove the decals yourself and then have them install the new set and that should save a lot of money. Also call the factory and see if they have them and what the cost would be. Pealing decals with a heat gun is not that hard but time consuming depending if it comes off in big pieces or bit by bit. Have removed decals from 28' boats and the trick is heating.

[okgc]

Recently saw a friends repair estimate where the body shop is going to paint the vinyl graphics that are faded. Seems like a cheaper alternative.

[Galvanizd]

Awhile back I too thought about having my decals removed and replaced. I gave that up when I saw the cost. Instead I had the decals removed and had them painted back on. That worked pretty good and the cost was good .......... where I had them done.

I see one of your locations is Lake Havasu AZ. If you were inclined to travel south of the border I could tell you what rv park I had this done at for a good price a couple of weeks ago.

If you aren't inclined to travel south of the border or don't feel its safe, please disregard.