SOB stripes

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SOB stripes

July 24, 2015, 02:29:54 pm

FWIW
I had previously removed the original vinyl decals from FT as they were faded. I have had the all white FT for a couple of years and pined for a little more color. I looked into full body paint and frankly would have loved it. I just could not justify the cost with kids in college. So...., I bought some SOB decals from a seller on ebay that got them from a RV company that went belly up, and after some compounding...Voila'... Now, I have a FT that looks like a SOB. The total cost was less than 1 coach buck. I am not as happy as full body paint but I do like it.

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #1 – July 24, 2015, 02:38:30 pm

Nice work! It looks very nice.

Kurt

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #2 – July 24, 2015, 02:48:03 pm

How do you remove the old graphics , It looks great and the price was right

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Reply #3 – July 24, 2015, 02:53:58 pm

Quote from: drcscruggs – July 24, 2015, 02:29:54 pm

Now, I have a FT that looks like a SOB.

NOTHING you do to a Foretravel will make it look like a SOB - it has too much inherent class! The stripes look great!

By the way, I personally think the all-white coaches look pretty cool (figuratively, and literally) - especially in the older GV models.

Photos below of one that occupied the adjacent bay last time we were at FOT (that's our GV in the background):

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #4 – July 24, 2015, 03:29:19 pm

Well,
I have to be honest, I did not do it personally (removal or application of new). I think the best way is with a heat gun and a razor blade scraper IF you can be careful and not dig into the fiberglass. Probably best obviously to do in the summer. I had a local body shop do it for me. Yes, there are some digs in the glass but not too bad. I wasn't thrilled with their work on that. I think I could have done better than them. There was still some residue from the glue when it came back and I removed with old gasoline (i know it can be dangerous) with a green 3m scratcher then followed up with a lot of dawn soap and water. Any organic solvent should remove the residue. I just had some old outboard gas and did not know what to do with it. I of course wore some gloves while using. I used Nitrile vs latex gloves as they get eaten up but more slowly. I did this removal a couple of years ago and just now got the stripes done.

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #5 – July 24, 2015, 04:46:26 pm

Very nice, Charles! I'll have to stop by and see it in person next time I swing down to the island.

Chris

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Reply #6 – July 24, 2015, 06:49:22 pm

Quote from: joeszeidel – July 24, 2015, 02:48:03 pm

How do you remove the old graphics...

decal removal

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Reply #7 – July 24, 2015, 11:31:35 pm

Way to go, Charles

Plain white coaches look like some sort of HazMat response vehicle

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #8 – July 25, 2015, 12:36:30 pm

Once upon a time the 3M Company had a graphics catalog showing everything they offer, has anyone seen it lately?

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Reply #9 – July 27, 2015, 02:09:44 pm

FWIW,
The graphics were 3M. I was looking at them and that is the brand. I did not get them from 3M tho (as noted) but, rather from ebay.
Best of travels.

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #10 – July 27, 2015, 02:40:40 pm

I think the white gelcoat with some decals to break it up is the best looking and most practical. It's cooler temp wise, and less worry about scratches. Too bad the general public disagrees. I would never want an RV painted darker colors. It's hard enough keeping them cool in the sun as it is.

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #11 – August 14, 2015, 01:33:05 pm

Looks good to me.

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Reply #12 – August 14, 2015, 01:39:41 pm

That looks like a great Foretravel that is done YOUR WAY.

Nice to have a coach that we can personalize like that and look great.

Even nicer that is costs much less than other options, so if you don't want to spend the $$$$ on full body paint, there are good options available.

Thanks for sharing.

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #13 – August 14, 2015, 07:54:41 pm

Quote from: krush – July 27, 2015, 02:40:40 pm

I think the white gelcoat with some decals to break it up is the best looking and most practical. It's cooler temp wise, and less worry about scratches. Too bad the general public disagrees. I would never want an RV painted darker colors. It's hard enough keeping them cool in the sun as it is.

100% the original Foretravel design idea. Like almost every boat in the harbor

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #14 – August 15, 2015, 02:54:25 am

I just spent the last week+ removing the graphics and buffing out the gel coat.. I had planned to replace the 95 graphics with a new set I have.
After looking at it almost bare ( I left the bottom stripes) I think I will wait to install the new decals.
I like the white, clean look with minimal graphics.
When I finished one side I had the other side with graphics to compare too. The side with graphics started to make me think it looked like a circus vehicle. TOO much!

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #15 – August 15, 2015, 03:17:50 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – July 24, 2015, 02:53:58 pm

NOTHING you do to a Foretravel will make it look like a SOB - it has too much inherent class! The stripes look great!

Charles that looks lovely....and amen, C & J...that classic, elegant FT look is just that...and virtually impossible to imitate....clean, uniform, unmistakable...I actually had the boys (after the original stripes were removed, which was a bugar!) use the original 1997 FT brochure to make her look exactly the same as when she came out of the factory...this will do beautifully until ("if") I decide to do the light FBP one of these days. If or when that does happen, she will stay nice & light, but these original colors (painted on, by the way) are hard to beat!

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #16 – August 15, 2015, 04:15:59 am

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – August 15, 2015, 02:54:25 am

After looking at it almost bare ( I left the bottom stripes) I think I will wait to install the new decals.
I like the white, clean look with minimal graphics.

Any chance you could post a picture at some point?

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Reply #17 – August 17, 2015, 02:42:27 am

Quote from: Rick & Robyn – August 15, 2015, 04:15:59 am

Any chance you could post a picture at some point?

I have to go back to work this week so I will not Finnish till next weekend. I will try and post some pictures then.

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #18 – September 15, 2015, 05:18:14 am

Quote from: Rick & Robyn – August 15, 2015, 04:15:59 am

Any chance you could post a picture at some point?

Here are a couple shots. Its soooo white its hard to look at on a bright day, VERY clean look.

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Reply #19 – September 15, 2015, 09:11:09 am

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – September 15, 2015, 05:18:14 am

Its soooo white its hard to look at on a bright day...

Just be careful when you drive in blizzards - your coach will completely disappear, and everybody else will be running into you!

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Reply #20 – September 15, 2015, 10:12:52 am

I like the nice clean look . You did a great job. This will be my winter project.

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Reply #21 – September 15, 2015, 10:41:54 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – September 15, 2015, 09:11:09 am

Just be careful when you drive in blizzards - your coach will completely disappear, and everybody else will be running into you!

I heard a properly operated coach would never see blizzard conditions, my understanding was when it was time to change out of shorts and flip flops it was time to head South.I have quite a ways to go to get there myself but I sure like the concept!

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Reply #22 – September 15, 2015, 11:36:42 am

Lon & Cheryl--What a great looking result! Looks very crisp and classic. Good job all the way around. You've inspired me to get busy and start de-decaling.

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Reply #23 – September 15, 2015, 03:45:03 pm

Ours was stripped, re-painted and re-striped with 3M factory-matched wraps. I have the invoices: $12,000 +++She looks brand new, a company in Phoenix did the work.

Re: SOB stripes

Reply #24 – September 15, 2015, 08:18:23 pm

Lon

Love the clean way your coach looks. I have started removing my decals and play to buff the gelcoat also.
I just showed Karen the pics of your coach and she said " Wow- that looks great."
I am going for the same look- great inspiration- thanks.

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