Hello to all,
It's been a while since I posted any exterior pics of my "Dream Coach" restoration that started last October, so here are a few. After using 3 of those 4" rubber friction wheels, and then consuming down to the nubs -- the 8" multi-disk 3M version for removing decals and stickers on marine applications -- they are finally gone.
I think the Coach looks years newer without those lower graphics. Mine were all faded and curling on the lower edges, anyway. I still have a few hours of small spots of adhesive to remove before starting the buffing of the entire Coach. It took about 8 hours to remove the 80' of vinyl.
I can only work on it weekends, and for 6 months now, that has been my Saturday and Sunday -- learning, getting dirty to bring it mechanically back to life, and checking out the various electrical systems (still have ton's to learn!). But these (to me) ugly graphics finally got to me, and I figured I needed to remove them to keep my enthusiasm fueled when I would drive up to it each Saturday morning.
I feel much better, now! :-)
All the best,
Michael
Well worth the effort, look great!
Michael,
Looks really good now. I still have a lot to do before the bottom looks like yours. The GVs have a great Deco look without decals/paint but I think with a really well thought out Deco design, they could be the centerpiece for any new Flash Gordon film. Just add a couple of short wings and a levitation device and away we go.
Pierce
Attaboy Pierce, me I'm still lusting after a custom airbrush of Mr. Natural. It's a constant source of amusement to me, given the generally conservative attitude of the majority of Class A drivers, (present company excluded of course), that the exterior graphics decor which is the norm today would have been regarded as psychedelic not too many years ago.
Michael, it looks good. I feel your pain, I went the heat/goo scrape route but any way you slice it's a fair bit of work getting that stuff off.
Chuck
Chuck
I do remember the Orange Sunshine years well. :D
Pierce
Looks great!!!! The GV has a classic that will never go out of sytly, even without slides! Clean, neat and the best built coach ever in my opinion. I had mine painted white and clear coated with simple graphics and glad I did.
I recall them well, like looking through a windowpane to the past. 8)
Michael,
Really looks good. You have to be proud of your progress. What 3M products did you use to remove the graphics?
Thanks,
Jerry
Micheal,
Looks Sharp!
Those mirrors look great too. Did you have them re-chromed? or just polish the aluminum?
Jerry,
The 8" 3M product carries the Part# 3M-7517
3M Marine 7517 LASR DISC ASSEMBLY 8IN X 5/8IN SCOTCH-BRITE STRIPE REMOVAL DISC (http://www.amazon.com/3M-Marine-ASSEMBLY-SCOTCH-BRITE-REMOVAL/dp/B003974NKE)
They want $91.46
I found it for much less -- $63 at foxruntools.com
RPM adjustment (increase) as the diameter wears down on the 3M product is important to maintain the removal rate. I had originally started with 3 of the cheaper 4" eraser wheels -- and consumed all three just to get 75% down one side of the Coach. The 3M product allowed me to finish that side and remove all of the graphics from the other side -- but just barely. I wore it down to nubs.
Here are the 4" ones at $8.50 ea. They work well to get in tight area's -- like around the bay door handles:
AES Industries 4" Smart Eraser Pad for Pinstripe, Decal & Adhesive Removal [Made (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0020HQRQC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
John,
My mirrors are chrome plated over a flash of copper and nickel. The plating is bubbling on one area of the passenger side arm (but I think I have an acceptable fix for that -- for now). In the radius underneath of both mounting-to-body plates where the arms attach, I have copper showing through.
I will remove them at some future time -- to have them completely stripped and re-plated or powder coated (still on the fence on which route, as they cleaned up quite nicely just using a brillo pad and plenty of flushing with a hose).
Yes, I am pleased at the result from all the work. I have to address some issues on the bottom edge of the passenger side bay doors where the factory used pink/brown glazing putty over gel coat imperfections on just a few small spots (less than 2 inches in size) that are now visible after removing the vinyl. I'll sand it down with a D.A. -- and re-apply gel-coat.
Cheers!,
Michael