Re: SOB stripes Reply #25 – September 16, 2015, 02:09:20 am Quote from: Ted & Karen – September 15, 2015, 08:18:23 pmLonLove the clean way your coach looks. I have started removing my decals and play to buff the gel coat 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.I used the 3m rubber wheel that fits the corded drill to remove the decals. I tried the cheaper version of the rubber wheel that is available on Amazon and found it worked as well at much less cost. It took about 3 wheels for each side. I went over areas that were missed with acetone.I did NOT buff out the fiberglass.After the decals were removed I rubbed with a 3M green pad and buffed the entire coach with Bar Keepers Friend on a wool buffing wheel that was wet, even the metal. On larger areas I could not hit with the buffer I used a electric 1/3 sheet sander with 800 grit wet sand paper. This left a dull but WHITE fiberglass gel coat. I then washed it with a low power electric power washer from Harbor Freight and Dawn to remove the Bar Keepers Friend.I then used ZEP High Gloss Floor Finnish (available at Menards for about $23 a gallon, took 2 gallons).I used a micro fiber cloth and rubber gloves to apply the Zep. I also used a dust mop with a micro fiber pad and a paint roller tray to apply Zep. It took 5 coats just to seal the fiberglass. a total of 7 coats gave me a nice deep shine.I did experience drips when using the floor mop, I will remove those next year. The micro fiber rag worked the best but took longer. Easier to wring to a less drippy consistency. Quote Selected
Re: SOB stripes Reply #26 – September 20, 2015, 05:53:29 pm Lon-Thanks for description of your renewed coach- looks great.I am using a hair dryer and a sharp chisel edge to remove the old decals. I also have a cheaper version of the wheel which works fine, but rattles my teeth...........lol. I find that if I work on the decals after they have been sitting in the sun a while- it is even easier. Solar power is great. I am only doing a little at a time since we are full time, and now traveling to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque.This is my winter project- so the sun in the southwest should help me loosen up some old decals.................... After the decals are gone, and I clean off the residual adhesive, I will use my dual action buffer, wool pad, and 3M Marine Restorer/Wax to buff out the coach. Small areas at a time and working slowly should give me good results and a clean look like your coach Lon.Cya down the road.Ted Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: SOB stripes Reply #27 – September 29, 2015, 01:30:45 am Your coaches all look great. I removed all my factory striping on our 87 Grand Villa about 18 months ago using a heat gun and a series of softer plastic putty knives. These ensured that we didn't gouge the fiberglass. A rubber stripe removal wheel was used for some of the areas, and I used 3M adhesive remover to get all of the glue boogers off . It was a long job (probably close to 100 hours) but well worth the time. I procured a complete new original FOT stripe kit from Robert at Encore RV's in Texas (before he closed his doors). Once the removal was complete I brought it to Stripeline in Portland Oregon (we live in this area). They do most of the RV decal restoration in this area. They stripped and buffed the entire coach, installed all of the new decals and even printed all new Grand Villa Logo decals for the entire coach. She now looks factory new. We just took a 2000 mile trip to Southern Utah to the 5 national parks and had curious inquiries at each park we stayed at. We tackled all new carpet and linoleum this past winter. This winter the furniture all gets re-upholstered (with new foam padding) and curtains get their facelift as well. Quote Selected
Re: SOB stripes Reply #28 – September 29, 2015, 01:32:58 am A year and model in signatures helps all of us. Versus guess? Quote Selected
Re: SOB stripes Reply #29 – September 29, 2015, 01:44:21 am Quote from: Caflashbob – September 29, 2015, 01:32:58 amA year and model in signatures helps all of us. Versus guess?It's in the first sentence of my post ... "87 Grand Villa" ... I left out 36' ORED. Quote Selected
Re: SOB stripes Reply #30 – September 29, 2015, 05:49:52 am That is great sounding. Do you have pictures of it? Quote Selected
Re: SOB stripes Reply #31 – September 29, 2015, 09:34:33 am well Done Gary! Glad those vintage dcals still had life in themPerhaps you could add your coach info to your profile on the Forum for future reference when you postHope to see your machine in person. Quote Selected
Topic: SOB stripes