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New Decals

If anyone has an older coach with decal issues this may be of interest! After much research we decided to replace the decals instead of paint because of the $$$. We didn't want the shadows to be visible so there was no change in the pattern and we stayed close to original colors. The company we chose was Rv Stripes and Graphics in Mesa, AZ. We have nothing but positive feelings about this entire process. Our older coach has new life and that makes us feel good! We want to thank everyone at RV Stripes and Graphics (Steve and Dale Zacher, Thomas and Omar). If we had the $$$$ we would have FT or Extreme in Nacogdoches do the makeover but we are very happy with the outcome! Just wanted to share our experience!

                Josh
Josh
2000 U295

Re: New Decals

Reply #1 –
Josh, could you be more specific on the work done? Did they clean and gel coat/buff the rest of the coach? Were the decals made or purchased? Estimate of $$$ saved?
Bill & Jan Velting
1998 U320 36'    2014 Xtreme facelift
build #5339  MC#17207
current toad: 2014 Cadillac SRX

Re: New Decals

Reply #2 –
Josh could you also post pictures, Thanks
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: New Decals

Reply #3 –
I bought the stripes from that Co. and put them on myself.  It worked pretty good untill I decided the stripes looked to "busy" so I took them all off and buffed the area.  At certain algles you can still see the ghosts, but overall I'm pleased with the results.    nlh1250
Norm H.
2002 U320 3602
PBDS
Build # 5941
MC# 16699


1997 Gulfstream Tourmaster, Cummins 8.3
2000 Country Coach Magna, Cat C-10
1998 Foretravel U295, Cummins 8.3

Re: New Decals

Reply #4 –
I removed the lower stripes yesterday and am wondering if I should put some graphics back on the bottom or not. Some ghosting is visible but nothing I can't live with. Looks kind of nice without the lower stripes. I also removed all of the striping on the front to make polishing and waxing easier.I blasted the old stripes off with the 3M 8" Large area graphics removal wheel and it works unbelievably well. It took about 3 hrs to get them all off of one side and the front.
Rick

Re: New Decals

Reply #5 –
got a part number? You using a buffer, drill?
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: New Decals

Reply #6 –
I don't have the ability to send pics by computer at this time but can text if anyone is interested. The cost was $2700 (removal/application labor) and they made the decals with current technology (5 year warranty) .No gel coat work except prep for area where decals were applied. There is a business who can do this in Mesa. Again, I know FT can paint any design with multiple options and have talked with James Stallings(Extreme) and was very impressed with his options. However, the $$$ was an issue with a coach that is worth X. I (will) have James paint the roof next year so this old man doesn't have to wax the roof anymore. The decals can and should be waxed with a UV blocking product per instructions. Good luck and let me know if anyone has any other questions.

              Safe travels,
                  Josh
Josh
2000 U295

Re: New Decals

Reply #7 –
A slight correction.  The decals should be treated with a UV protectant (303 Aerospace), but no wax or product containing petroleum products.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: New Decals

Reply #8 –
Brett,

      Steve (RV stripes and graphics) said that I could use Meguiar's marine carnauba blend on this product. The material manufacturer also recommends a carnauba type wax. Could be that the technology uses a different material for the decals. Just have to protect them in someway.

                  Thanks,
                      Josh
Josh
2000 U295

Re: New Decals

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dave Head –
got a part number? You using a buffer, drill?

Dave,
        This is about the best price I could find, part no. 3M-07517

Search results for: '3M-07517'

I used it in a Milwaukee 5455, 1750rpm polisher/grinder. You need a 5/8-11 coupling nut to attach the male threads of the wheel to the male threads of the polisher. Local hardware store had one for about $4.00. This big wheel would probably not work on a drill. Some/most of lower black stripes and graphics peeled off with a little application of heat from heat gun. Doing the one side and front wore down the wheel from the original 8" diameter to 5 1/2" diameter. I could probably complete the removal of the upper graphics with the one wheel. It is recommended that as the wheel gets smaller that the rpm's be increased, but at the 5 1/2", the 1750rpm still seemed to be ok but you can tell the difference in performance. My 5455 has been around me for a long time and if I had a choice now I would get the 5540 that can be dialed in up to 2800 rpm. I bought 2 wheels and the other side graphics of the coach are in very good condition so I am not sure what I will do.
Good luck,
Rick
Rick

Re: New Decals

Reply #10 –
Quote from: pedalman –
Brett,

      Steve (RV stripes and graphics) said that I could use Meguiar's marine carnauba blend on this product. The material manufacturer also recommends a carnauba type wax. Could be that the technology uses a different material for the decals. Just have to protect them in someway.

                  Thanks,
                      Josh
Josh,
    I may have unintentioanlly hijacked your thread and apologize but I think it is under an appropriate topic where people searching for a solution for "New Decals" would find it. Maybe moderator can move my posts to a new topic "Graphics removal info" as once Dave asked the question I felt compelled to offer as much detail as I could.
  One of my pet peeves with the graphics is that if you are polishing the gel coat you have to be careful around the graphics otherwise you will be abrading away the graphic material and although most of the graphics are color thru they eventually look faded, as would paint too, but then you have to go back and treat the graphics with a UV protectant etc., etc, etc. Some people mask off the graphics when polishing but I pass on that extreme.
Good luck with you new graphics I'm sure they will go another 12 years fine.
Rick
   
Rick

Removing 17 year old graphics

Reply #11 –
Rick,

Thanks for posting about the removal of the lower stripes. I have the same Coach as yours, and had been contemplating over the best way to remove some of the graphics. I agree by looking at your pictures -- that without the lower's and the front cap adornment -- your Coach looks not only better, but more modern. I've re-posted your pic for reference.

I've heard of a "sticker-removal" spray that softens the material for easier removal. Anyone have any experience with it?  I was thinking that pre-applying this, letting it soak into the adhesive layer -- might make make things go easier & faster with the 3M wheel.

Or possibly -- it would just get "too gummy" and have the opposite effect.

With regards,

Michael McLaughlin
Michael
1995 U300SE CAT 3176B Build # 4612 ("Marvin")

Re: New Decals

Reply #12 –
Michael,
 I bought a small bottle of "vinyl-off" to try first. CrystalTek - Non-Toxic - Biodegreadable - Green Products That Work
Not sure it was working very well for me but in some places it may have done some good. I think it will work better on the upper graphics better. The wheel is far and away the best method. The Vinyl-off" did not seem to affect the performance of the wheel one way or the other.
Good luck,
Rick
Rick

Re: New Decals

Reply #13 –
Does any body know of a paint or dye that could be used on the existing graphics for touch up?

Can your decal company make up graphics to replace sections instead of replacing everything?

I have the same 95 graphics on my U320. The tops of the ribbon lopes are faded, the rest of the decal looks ok.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: New Decals

Reply #14 –
On the subject of removing Decals, when I was at Extreme in March, I did the removal of the lower storage ones from a door that was taken off a write off as it matched the one that I demolished. I used their steamer and it was fast and easy. Once I cleaned it up and light sanded it was easy to spray to match my pattern. I removed decals, mechanism and replaced the lock and cables off mine and set it up in 4 hrs. I even had to straighten one of the side bars as it was bent some.
John h
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: New Decals

Reply #15 –
I had RV Stripes & Graphics replace my ribbon graphics without touching the stripe graphics.  They worked well until I went with FBP at Xtreme.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R
 

Re: New Decals

Reply #16 –
While in Nac some time ago I watched a man remove all his decals in the parking lot using an iron and towel. He made it look so easy and fast. I dont know of a faster way to do it. I took a few photos. Decal Removing
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"