Heat Gun or 3m Wheel

SGTJOE wrote:
Jim, I thought about that but the one shop here wanted over $8,000.00 and more if there were cracks under the dryed/cracked decals. I removed some of the decals and found cracks under it. I think they have to fill in the cracks before they can paint. How much and where did you have yours done?? Were there cracks under the old decals?

I had mine done in Mazatlan, MX by a painting family with a reputation for doing a great job.

Took less than a week at a leisurely pace, I only paid in 3rds, the weather was spectacular, and it cost less than $1,000 US.

HOWEVER, I made the mistake of telling the 'artist' that I was going to sell as soon as I got back to the states (but I didn't), so he cut corners on the plastic bumper and wheel well surrounds, and didn't adequately prep them and now, 3 years later, the paint's starting to chip off. I'll go back this December for a redo of the plastics.


On Edit: Opps, sorry, didn't answer one of your questions...I had just a few minor cracks under the vinyl. But they 'V'ed them and spread some magic goo in them and let them dry then airbrushed them. There isn't a single showing crack in any of the replaced and repainted vinyl stripes now that I can find.

The problem with not replacing the decals or painting is that you will see a ghost image where the decal was located. The gel coat under the decal has been protected from the sun and UV rays since the rig was built. There will be a difference in color. In my case I replaced the decals.

Jim, I thought about that but the one shop here wanted over $8,000.00 and more if there were cracks under the dryed/cracked decals. I removed some of the decals and found cracks under it. I think they have to fill in the cracks before they can paint. How much and where did you have yours done?? Were there cracks under the old decals?

I had my decals, which were really badly faded and cracked, removed and painted back on. They still look like new after 5 years.

Here's how it looked after the painting:

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I appreciate all the responses. I'm looking at a shop in Apache Junction AZ, wish I could find one closer to Salt Lake City. Still haven't decided if I want replacement decals or just leave them off. My City will not allow me to build a garage/car port for the MH, so in a few years the decals will be faded/cracked again.

I have used the 3M wheel and have not had a problem with it.You are having it done by a shop? The pros know how to do it,that is how I was introduced to them.

I used a hair dryer.
I was afraid a heat gun would get it too hot.

same here.

I used the 3m wheel and a heat gun and the 3m worked the easiest for me. No damage to the gel coat

I removed the decals from our mh using both a heat gun and an eraser wheel, the eraser wheel did not do any damage to the fiberglass or the gel coat. It will be fine for the shop to use it.