Faded Decals

[rich85704]

The decorative decals on my 1999 Class C are pretty faded/worn/cracked.

Does anyone have experience getting decals removed and replaced? Who does this kind of work?

Thanks,

Rich

[Grit_dog]

^ I'd say you want to try that in an inconspicuous place first....
Or do some with plastidip. Then you can peel it off if it's not desire able.

[TNGW1500SE]

Mine are too. I considered painting them. Removing them is going to be a pain and paint is inexpensive. I'd say I can make it look good with just a spray can and some tape for much much less cash and work.

[Grit_dog]

^Dont waste your time with a plastic scraper.
Kinda like using the wrong side of a knife to cut your steak. Or like those chainsaw chains with the extra kickback teeth teeth thingys.
It’ll work but there are easier ways to accomplish the task.

[RICKIM]

Im recently going through this. My 2008 AF nose graphics were looking a little faded, but just the nose.

I found this company, excellent people to work with BTW, and very reasonable prices.

rv graphics

They have the original designs for quite a few existing rvs.

I plan on doing the removal process with a low temp heat gun and plastic scraper when the weather gets a little better around here, and when I get the ambition...

Any leftover residue will be removed with a little naphtha as I have had excellent results removing sticky residues and caulking clean-ups with this in the past.

Good Luck, Rick

[azwildcat]

The March issue of Trailer Life has an article on this subject. As others have said it is labor intensive and on the pricey side. You may want to check it out if you can get a copy of the publication.

[Grit_dog]

Many different methods depending on substrate and how hard they are to remove.
If the unit is fiberglass, and white, it is easy to burn/discolor with an eraser wheel. I keep the eraser wheel to a minimum on gelcoat, especially white.
Know that you’ll have ghost stripes after removing that will either require a cut n polish or may not totally disappear even with that level of effort. On the flip side if you’re having the same graphics remade it’s easy to see where to install them!
The quickest and easiest method is a heat gun and a razor scraper. Know that when they’re fresh or sharp they dig and gouge easier. Actually one application that I prefer a more dull blade for. Gentle heat and scrape. If a piece will peel by hand, peel it.
Clean up residue with most any common solvent. Goo gone, Adhesive remover, prep sol, lacquer thinner, gasoline. I wouldn’t use any hotter solvents than those.
It’s a chore and I estimate it would take me a half day at least jsut to get all the decals off of the truck camper.

If I had the time, I’d remove the decals. Mine are peeling but I keep trimming them up. Works since it’s like a “mud splash “ pattern.
Then I’d vinyl wrap it either in its entirety or selectively. Rv type structures are pretty easy to wrap because mostly flat surfaces.

[dpgllg]

rich85704 wrote:
I’m the OP on this thread, which seems to have some new life. Yes, the decorations on my 1999 MH are pretty well baked on, cracked, and ugly. They look OK from a distance, but I’d like the old warhorse to look a bit better close up.

Judging from the comments here and on Amazon this is a two-step process: one is essentially mechanical, either using a heat gun and a scraper or using a whirling wheel of some kind on an electric drill. This seems to leave behind a residue, and there are various chemicals which will remove this.

Any way you slice it, this is clearly a labor-intensive process, so it’s not surprising that it costs quite a bit to have it done professionally.

Do I have this about right? Many thanks to those who have taken the time to share their experience and opinions!

Rich

Rich,

I stripped the front, rear and about a 1/3 of the sides of my old 5th wheel. It was labor intensive but I used a adhesive remover I bought at an auto parts store.

Aircraft label and adhesive remover

I used this along with a razor scraper and I removed all in less than a day. I really helped speed up the job.

The other thing you have to consider is where are you going to get replacement graphics. My old 5th wheel was a 2004 and when I contacted Forest River the graphics were no longer available. If I went with a current set of graphics the cost was around $2000 for a complete set. WOW!

I agree that you should talk to a local RV dealer that does body work and ask them where they get there graphics from.

One other possible solution is a wrap. I have no idea what they cost but I started looking into this for my 5th wheel but we ended up trading it in.

Good luck!

Dave

[drsteve]

rich85704 wrote:


Judging from the comments here and on Amazon this is a two-step process: one is essentially mechanical, either using a heat gun and a scraper or using a whirling wheel of some kind on an electric drill. This seems to leave behind a residue, and there are various chemicals which will remove this.

Any way you slice it, this is clearly a labor-intensive process, so it’s not surprising that it costs quite a bit to have it done professionally.

Do I have this about right? Many thanks to those who have taken the time to share their experience and opinions!

Rich

I think you've got it. Have you priced replacement graphics?

[rich85704]

I’m the OP on this thread, which seems to have some new life. Yes, the decorations on my 1999 MH are pretty well baked on, cracked, and ugly. They look OK from a distance, but I’d like the old warhorse to look a bit better close up.

Judging from the comments here and on Amazon this is a two-step process: one is essentially mechanical, either using a heat gun and a scraper or using a whirling wheel of some kind on an electric drill. This seems to leave behind a residue, and there are various chemicals which will remove this.

Any way you slice it, this is clearly a labor-intensive process, so it’s not surprising that it costs quite a bit to have it done professionally.

Do I have this about right? Many thanks to those who have taken the time to share their experience and opinions!

Rich

[drsteve]

Rapid Remover

https://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Remover-Adhesive-Graphics-Stripes/dp/B006RUJ2D8

[westend]

They do make a graphic sheet adhesive dissolver. I can't recall the name, ATM. The dissolving liquid saves many hours of a machine in hand and the surface will be cleaner, when done.

[digital_art]

for a 1999 motorhome i would expect the graphics to be pretty baked on the sides. you'll probably spend a good amount of money for someone to take them off for you or a good amount of time if you do it yourself. buy the 3M eraser wheel if you tackle this yourself. then you'll want to buff out the surface and possibly protect it before putting new graphics on.

[ktmrfs]

check with your local RV dealers to find who they have fix theirs. Most cases they don't do it, but farm it out to someone local. Usually dealers will give you the business card.

I've had friends use one locally recomended by RV dealer. Did a great job.

[busterja21]

Call these guys over in apache junction

http://www.rvsg.com/index.asp