Community Forums

Jim_HiTek · 02-08-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigTonyB

Wow! All that for $775? That doesn't even begin to pay for materials here.
Are the stripes painted now?

Yes, the stripes are paint now.

The family of experts down in Maz has an excellent reputation...but even they have to be watched. I mentioned that I was getting it painted so I could sell it when I got back to the US. So, he cut corners. Although I'd asked (3 times) if they were using that special goo to make the paint stick to the plastic wheel well surrounds like they did on the front bumper, they didn't and it started chipping off within weeks. So he'll be doing a warranty repaint of those when I get down there.

I wasn't going to watch them every minute, I had books to read and pina coladas to enjoy.

The color choices were selected based on his suggestions (he's got a real talent for it), the paint has gold flecks in it, the colors were chosen from an automotive paint color brochure and the paint was high quality automotive paint (I forget the brand name). And the scratch I got from a truck bumper months later showed me how tough it is. I've seen their work many times down there on RVs and toads and it's always been excellent.

smikles · 02-08-2013, 09:57 PM

How long ago did you do this and is it still looking good.

Snomas1 · 02-09-2013, 10:27 AM

I suspect they all fade after 10 years like mine have.

Jim_HiTek · 02-09-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smikles

How long ago did you do this and is it still looking good.

I had it done in April of '12. It's still looking very good (except for the flaking of the paint on the plastic wheel surrounds).

Clayobx · 02-09-2013, 04:43 PM

Yes all RV's boats, vans etc have decal problems. Nuff' said! Get rid of them!

Pirate · 02-09-2013, 04:56 PM

Cost me close to 7K to have my decals removed (what was left of them) and then have them painted on. He said close to 5K to remove and replace with vinyl, or around 12k to pain entire thing. Looks fantastic now.

Jfhaas · 02-09-2013, 05:44 PM

I used to work for 3M. The best decal will last 7 years outside. South facing is the worst. Keeping them waxed will help. I doubt the RV companies use 3M's best. Keeping covered or inside is the best. Look at boats in Florida or Ohio and the gel coat. The sun kills everything. Tires, paint, decals, drapes, or gel coat. Wax the hell out of them and keep covered where you can.

Hudsoner · 02-09-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jfhaas

I used to work for 3M. The best decal will last 7 years outside. South facing is the worst. Keeping them waxed will help. I doubt the RV companies use 3M's best. Keeping covered or inside is the best. Look at boats in Florida or Ohio and the gel coat. The sun kills everything. Tires, paint, decals, drapes, or gel coat. Wax the hell out of them and keep covered where you can.

I am a retired 3Mer. Where did you work?

Ramzfan · 02-10-2013, 10:14 PM

I was in the Sign & Graphic business all of my life. Just to let you know, painting over vinyl graphics with clear coat is only a temporary solution. eventually, the two different materials will fight each other and will cause the clearcoat to crack and then you've really got an expensive removal job. Waxing over them as you wax the entire coach will not hurt the vinyl and will definitely make it last longer. The only long-term solution, other than a full paint job, is to keep the graphics out of the sun as much as possible. That usually requires building a garage or renting indoor space. I know that is a very difficult and expensive thing to do for most motorhome/trailer owners, but it's the old saying: "Pay for it now or pay for it later."

Mr_D · 02-10-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget63

I do a walk around and tire thump all my vehicles before entering them all the time.

One of the trucker magazines did a study of drivers thumping tires to check pressures. Out of 50 professional 18 wheeler drivers only 2 could detect a dangerously low tire (20% or more low).
That's one in 25 or 4%. Pretty low odds. Good thing you got the monitoring system.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-11-2013, 04:23 AM

Tires ? Lets get back on topic , please.

Cliff

Jfhaas · 02-11-2013, 09:21 AM

Reflective Products Division and worked in Ohio area

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-11-2013, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jfhaas

Reflective Products Division and worked in Ohio area

In an effort to keep this thread on topic , please use PM 's to ask and answer questions like these.
Thanks
Cliff

Dunner · 02-11-2013, 05:07 PM

What kind of wax? I read to not use petroleum product waxes. I've had good luck using Meguirea's Cleaner Wax on painter surfaces. It says to not use on non-painted surfaces. I guess that includes decals. I also have some Wash-Wax-All that is safe for vinyl.