Community Forums

biggrigg49 · 01-31-2023, 05:22 AM

I've heard different people say not to wax the decals on your camper. That it will cause them to dry out and curl up or something like that. Do you wax yours or know why I should or shouldn't wax mine? Is NuFinish safe for decals?

Thanks

MevetS · 01-31-2023, 05:25 AM

That's rather a personal question !

biggrigg49 · 01-31-2023, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MevetS

That's rather a personal question !

That actually made me laugh.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-31-2023, 02:33 PM

If I'm using a wipe-on/wipe-off synthetic "wax" product, I go right over them. If I was using a compound that required polishing or buffing, I would skirt around them as much as possible. The reason is the pores of the decal can fill with the polish or wax and make it difficult to get it polished/buffed out. That leaves a film behind that is less than pleasing. I've not seen any polish or wax that actually damages a decal, at least not in the last 25 years or so, but it can make them look dull.

How do you know what you are using? The thickness & color of the coating before polishing is a clue; so it the amount of polishing elbow grease needed to bring up the shine. If in doubt, try a small area and see.

Parafango · 01-31-2023, 02:40 PM

I've used this with good success on the side decals, so far. Actually, I use it on the gel coat on the rest of the side and rubber parts as well.

303 Aerospace protectant

I also used it on my pickup bed roll-n-lock brand cover for more than 10 years. Sold the truck with no cracks in the vinyl cover.

NH3Guy · 01-31-2023, 07:41 PM

I do not.

I did, it cost me two months of grinding them off and clean up, and $2K plus travel time to get them put back on. I have heard that the 303 protectant works, but have not tried it.

parcany2 · 01-31-2023, 07:47 PM

When we had our 33RLDS i would wax over them with Meguires cleaner wax. Had that trailer for 7 years and the decals were just like new when we sold it.

bhammond1980 · 01-31-2023, 07:58 PM

I buff and polish right over them. Annually I apply a coat of high-quality carnauba wax over the full surface including the decals. The surface and the decals still look great.

Reprobate · 01-31-2023, 08:19 PM

The sun will dry out and cause damage to your decals long before any trace petroleum distillates in some waxes cause any damage.

biggrigg49 · 02-01-2023, 10:20 AM

OP here. Thanks for the replies. I have had a few TT's over the years and have always waxed over the decals with good results but didn't keep one TT for more that about five years. So I wasn't sure of long term effects. My last TT I avoided waxing over the decals because I read somewhere that it was bad for the decals and used some kind of protectant on them like 303. Decals did not hold up well to the sun and cracked and looked bad. I had that TT for about 10 years though. I now have a 2022 FR3 30DS that I think I am going to put some kind of wax on decals and all after hearing the comments. Thanks. Now the research begins for which wax to use.

biggrigg49 · 02-01-2023, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reprobate

The sun will dry out and cause damage to your decals long before any trace petroleum distillates in some waxes cause any damage.

Good point

Flyer15015 · 02-01-2023, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggrigg49

Good point

X2 on that.
We bought our rig in SLC 2 years ago, and the dealer had picked it up in Las Vegas.
It was obvious the rig had been stored outside in the Nevada sun it's entire life.

I did buff the whole rig, including the decals, with Meguires #83 (medium grit) Cleaner / polish and then give her a coat of Nu finish (orange bottle from Walmart).

Some decals held up O.K. but some were badly faded, however, I think she came out pretty well considering the abuse she has had. Wish I knew a way to just remove the light grey ones that are badly faded.

I'm about ready to do her annual Nu Finish job again to get ready to travel.

Mike in Colorado

baraff · 02-01-2023, 04:51 PM

Our motorhome is a 2005. I waxed the decals where I could reach and they are all curling and peeling on the edges. The ones high up on the front cap are not.
I'm told it's the petroleum distillates that causes it. I would rather have them crack than curl and peel. I will never do that again.
Thinking about removing them, masking off and painting on the stripes.