Decals

[J. Ingram]

I have a Winnebago Sightseer and it has been out in the sun quite a bit under the original owner. The decals are pretty faded and cracked. Has anyone replaced the decals and is it a big job? Does anyone know where to get replacement decals?

[smlranger]

You can call David or Lonnie in parts at Lichtsinn Motors in Forest City, IA and they will get any and all decals available for your coach.

As far as removing the old decals, it is hard work. I am having my coach painted at this time and I started removing the decals myself. I used a hair dryer, heating the decals and carefully peeling them off. Removing the smaller decals wasn't too bad but the larger decals take a lot of time. Then you have to remove the residual adhesive with some solvent (acetone, laquer thinner, MEK). Bottom line for me, I only removed a few and let the paint shop remove most of them. They used a heat gun which I am sure works better than a hair dryer. You can also buy decal removing wheels for your drill. I also have seen spray decal removers at West Marine but have no experience with those.

Installing new decals usually involves spraying the surface (or the back of the decal) with a soapy solution that lets you move the decal around on the coach for proper positioning. You squeegee any air bubbles and, when the soapy solution dries, the decal is stuck fast.

Another option to consider is to have an auto/big truck/RV paint shop remove your old decals and paint the colors on where your decals used to be. That will outlast most any vinyl decal and will be more easy to maintain. However, likely more expensive than buying the replacement decals but perhaps not much more.

[KIX]

I agree with SMLRNAGER's suggestion to have the decals painted back on. That would be the best option if it's "in the budget".

Before I replaced the decals with paint I replaced the decals once. I would not waste the time again. To remove the old ones I strongly suggest a heat gun. Home Depot has an inexpensive one that works well. Replacement decals are available through Mobility RV (Google it). Use the heat sparingly and use a plastic razor blade to START removal. Do not use a metal razor or putty knife. If you can't find the plastic blades stop by a vinyl sign shop for a few. To get glue residue off use a citrus based cleaner.

To apply new decal wet coach surface and decal with Windex. Use it generously. Squeegee the excess Windex away from the decal and to sweep the bubbles from under the decals.

Not a super hard job but if you have large decals or continuous stripes get a helper.

[Daysu47]

As Kix said, if it's in the budget.........

And as Smiranger explained, the heat gun works great and also use Goo Begone, a label and sticker remover, works great for the final cleaning of the glue left behind.

I just had my coach painted and decided to go with a different graphic design. The graphics to replace the originals were over $1400.00 from Lichtsinn Motors and I would have to install them. We really didn't like the originals anyway!
We got quotes from 3 local graphics vendor, $950.0, $1100.00 and $1700.00 and about another $500.00 to install!!!
After getting these quotes I then researched and found a graphics vendor on line, requested an example of the vinyl they used, 3M 5-7 yr. vinyl, very acceptable, and we designed the graphics and the colors we liked with the help of the vendor. They look GREAT!!
So for the coach, both sides, from and rear, the logos, and matching graphics for the car came to $645.00 shipped. I asked the people that painted the coach what it would cost to have the graphics, we decided on, painted on the coach and it came to about $2300.00!!

Now all I have to do is put them on in a couple weeks.

So as noted, it depends on your budget and wants and I figured the vinyl, which most RV's come with, lasts a long time if taken care of so that's what we did.

Good luck