Faded and checked graphics

[Tom T.]

Hello all, newbie here, last year I purchased a 29ft 04' Sunseeker class c, it only had 4300 miles, new tires and batteries and is proving to be a very reliable motorhome. The unit drives nice and hasnt seen much use, the only thing that ages it is the faded graphics, which are 3 different colors but fairly simple looking, some have become checked or cracked. Now I would imagine this topic has been covered before but I cant find a search option on this site? anyway I have checked into replacing them and got prices from $2000 to $2500 which is out of my budget, I am now looking at the possibility of painting over the existing graphics, just not sure what type of painter or shop to look for, that and wondering if it is at all possible?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The only solution is to remove the old graphic decals and then paint with whatever you like or have new decals made.  Any vinyl sign shop can make whatever you like, and prices can vary a lot with the size and design.  Or buy a vinyl decal printer and DIY! You can find vinyl decal/sigh makers near you by searching online, or do business over the internet and they ship them to you.

For a painted replacement, you probably want a professional sign painter [or maybe a ghetto graffiti specialist  ;D ].  Seriously, it's not hard if you have the talent. Just some acrylic paints and creativity.

https://www.google.com/search?q=decal+vinyl+maker&ie=utf-8

 

[Tom T.]

I cant see why they should have to be removed, but yes I agree that would be the best method but $2500 is out of the question. I would think someone has painted over or installed new graphics over old ones.

 

[99dart-WO]

I cant see why they should have to be removed, but yes I agree that would be the best method but $2500 is out of the question. I would think someone has painted over or installed new graphics over old ones.

You don't want to paint or apply graphics over the old stuff. Either will look like doo doo without a nice flat surface underneath. Not to mention both won't stick well and your repair effort will be wasted.
I removed the sun burned/cracked graphics on our 1998 Thor 31 footer. Using an eraser wheel on a drill, it takes them off pretty easily.Then, found a place in Arizona to make new vinyl graphics for right at $1000. Fortunately I have a son that works with graphics all the time to do my installation.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I think you can do better than $2500, but it all depends on what you want and how much you can DIY.  Removing the old stuff is a lot of labor and expensive if you pay somebody else $75-$125 per hour.  If you don't want to do it yourself, consider hiring a laborer rather than paying pro shop labor rates. Maybe a local detailer would do it.

Were those price quotes from an RV shop or a local sign or vinyl wrap company? RV shop rates are sky high and they probably subcontract it anyway.

 

[Tom T.]

Well the quote of $2500 was from a local shop that does graphics and other mods to vehicles, I probably can beat there price if I look long enough. Let me back up a bit, soon after I bought the unit I noticed the front overhead bunk was leaking during a day long rain, that weekend I started removing any water damaged material, well I ended up spending roughly 6 weekends and $2000 rebuilding the entire overhead bunk and replacing the gutters, resealing the roof, windows etc..., long story short I worked a lot on it to make it right, and now I want to make it look right, but Im not ready for another 6 weekend project.
Id gladly spend 1000-1500$ to have someone else do the work, but if I have to remove the old graphics, I can install new ones. I own a business and have purchased the graphics and installed them myself (not a huge job)

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

May I suggest that you use the forum SEARCH function to find previous discussions about "remove decals" to get a better handle on the work involved and then shop around for a reasonable price for that effort.  I don't know how much decal work is involved in your coach so can't tell whether $2500 is a bargain or exorbitant.  I've done some of my own and know it is labor intensive to do a good job.

A question: you stated the coach is an Itasca Sunseeker, but Sunseeker is a Forest River brand Class C.  What year/make/model is it?

 

[Tom T.]

Thanks Gary, I did just discover the search feature, it is a Forest River Sunseeker 29ft class c, I had owned a Forest river Work and Play before and had good luck with it.

 

[Bjwinspect]

I used a eraser wheel on a drill to remove old decals. There are several brands..some by 3M.  I got some inexpensive ones from eBay, they worked well.  The fiberglass under the decals was a bit faded, but not very noticeable.  I got some RV decals from EBay .. pretty easy to install.  One differnce I found was that heavy material is much easier to install.  I did not purchase some of the more expensive complete sets of graphics, but just some individual pairs of ?swoops? Solid colors hat are the actual color of the vinyl don't fade if wiped with some type of solvent like those type that the color is printed on.  I also had a local franchise ?Fast Signs? make some to match a pattern I made out of tissue paper to match existing shapes, they had the option of printing or using solid color vinyl.  None of this was very expensive

 

[Tom T.]

Bjwinswept, that sounds like route I will have to take, you mentioned you used tissue paper to outline existing graphics, how big were the graphics? and I am assuming you did this before you used the wheel to remove them, then covered the faded fiberglass with the new graphics? correct? also I thought all graphics were solid color? ive never heard of painted ones, I know the logo and name for my business I had done for all my trucks were solid and so far lasted 20 years without any fading or peeling issues.

 

[Shasta Bob]

this rings a bell, my 2010 keystone Cougar  the decal on the front cap rear and passenger side were sun faded and peeling off. I got hold of my local dealer and ordered new decals and was shocked 2100.00 for the three sides. I found a local person that worked at a sign shop and he did the removal and replacement for 300.00 cash. the key of the job was a solvent cleaner called adhesive and decal remover. if the ever fade and peel off again the fifth wheel will be white!

 

[rvwanderer11]

peel away the cracked edges. Then using making tape, tape the entire graphic ( assuming its just lines and arrows etc NOT an actual graphic pic but  like in my pic.)
Next buy  spray able  rubberized undercoating .  Last buy spray  cans of matching paints. 

Spray the undercoating in the areas where the graphics are missing.    This fills the area. ( very thin coat)  Once dry  spray the desired colors. 

Spraying with a spray can,  lots of thin coats , keep the can moving ,  if you put on a thick coat you'll get spots that will show up from a distance.

Someone sent me this  as a tip for my rvwanderer page on FB...

 

[spyderRV]

I painted over my graphics. So far they have retained a good appearance.