Removing vinyl graphics and restoring finish?

[Mike_Schriber]

We've just finished removing the cracked and shrunken vinyl graphics from our 2006 Damon Daybreak. These were known to have a bad batch of graphics and the company that supplied them sent us a new set for no charge.

I'm debating on replacing them or just trying to restore and even out the finish. As you'd expect, you can see where the graphics were since the covered fiberglass isn't faded like the rest of the coach.

Does anyone know if there is a way to even out the finish or do you just have to wait for the sun to do it's job?

Thanks!

Mike

[Pirate1]

Removed mine and then had them painted back on, 6K. It looks fantastic. Had to use pin striping tape though due to thickness difference of paint vs. decals.

[Mike_Schriber]

Yep. Since I have the decals I think putting them on is the way to go. Any suggestions on how to clean and prep the surface first (besides soap and water)? I know I don't want to wax it or anything like that before the decals are applied.

As for painting in Mexico, it's not worth the time, hassle or danger for me. We don't go to Mexico anymore. Ever.

Mike

[horizon36]

As far as restoring the finish I have used the Wade Maid Finish Restorer with Wax on mine and it works great! You can get it on line for 10% off if you use coupon code "rvweigh". Here's a link to their videos on how to polish your rig. Scroll down to the last few on the page. Link to Wade Maid videos

Since you have the decals already you may as well put them on.

[Jim]

Curious why you don't just head to Tijuana and have replacement strips painted on? Had mine done in Mazatlan but read several times that there are excellent paint shops in Tijuana too.

[olfarmer]

I think I would use the new decals if you already have them. I doubt you can get the finish totally evened out although you can probably improve it.
JMOP.
Ed

[Mike_Schriber]

I'm torn on using decals again. On the one hand, I have a full and correct set for the coach in hand already. If the material is made right, it can last a long time (probably longer than I'll be keeping the coach). Plus, I can put it on myself (I hope) or pay a local sign shop a reasonable fee to do it for me. Having the decals replaced with paint will be a lot more expensive and for us I just don't think it's worth it.

The coach doesn't look bad at all with no stripes but unless I could even out the finish I don't think it's an option.

We used a "magic eraser" wheel to remove the cracked vinyl. We tried the 3M wheel and it didn't work very well. We used a heat gun to remove the intact vinyl. To clean up the remaining adhesive we used Goof Off and followed up with water.

Mike

[Chuck_Sances]

We removed part of our cracked stripes also. It got too hard for way up high so after a year we decided to have them done. They are RV Stripes & Graphics in Mesa AZ. It took two and a half days for them to do the job and we choose new colors they went over the place where the old graphics were. They did a great job and you can stay in the RV while they are working on it or use a RV park just down the street. Their phone is 408-984-799 (Steve). We are well pleased with the work that we had done there in January.
Chuck

[noteven]

Mike we have a Carriage FW with the cracked "desert graphics" - what tools / equipment did you find worked best for removal?

I would go with plain white walls except we would look like the film crew moving in and then due to my suave good looks I'd be embarrassed by people running over to get autographs ( BS alert! BS alert!)

I'm thinking of doing what rocmoc said: remove the vinyl, maybe use some fine polish procedure on the walls, then paint a stripe or two to have less of a racing team look. A bit of striping or painted accent will trick the eye away from the shinier spots where the vinyl used to live ?

[rocmoc]

I plan to do the same removal of old decals in the near future. I would not use vinyl decals again after completing the work to remove them. PAINT the stripes back on, that is what I am doing!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico