Complete sticker removal... anyone done it?

[motofabio]

I’m contemplating peeling all the swirl graphic stickers off my 2019 before the sun does it’s work to fade the paint. Just wondering if anyone here has done it and if so, what your experience was like doing it. Pictures would be great to see!

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by motofabio

I’m contemplating peeling all the swirl graphic stickers off my 2019 before the sun does it’s work to fade the paint. Just wondering if anyone here has done it and if so, what your experience was like doing it. Pictures would be great to see!

Are you asking how? If so, I would take a hairdryer and heat up the decals and that should liquify the adhesive so the stickers can pull of easily. The goof off or go be gone to remove the adhesive from the body.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by motofabio

I’m contemplating peeling all the swirl graphic stickers off my 2019 before the sun does it’s work to fade the paint. Just wondering if anyone here has done it and if so, what your experience was like doing it. Pictures would be great to see!

Yep:

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f27...ead-13272.html

But that was 3 or 4 coaches ago for him.

[Chuck and Mary Ann]

There was an article in Trailer Life a few months back on how to do this (trips and tools) but I don't recall the steps. The article indicated that there are some body shops and companies that do this for a fee, but as a DYIer, that's part was not of interest to me. Biggest issue as I recall was using a heat gun. Have not tried it as we now have the full paint job and no decals.

[Bob Denman]

Vinyk Graphics are all the same: the only differences are in their size, and the tenacity with which the adhesive tries to ruin your life!
Use a hairdryer, and add enough heat to soften the glue, but NOT enough to weaken the decal itself! If you do: it'll continue to just come off in Thumbnail-sized pieces, and you'll spend a lifetime removing the damned things...
Take your time, and peel them off in the largest pieces possible: it'll make your project go as smoothly as it possibly can!

I've been involved in some pretty extensive graphics package installations and removals...

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1546353224

[Kickstand]

I despise all those swirls. They’re so busy but with no real artistry to them. I peel off individual swirls whenever I get the chance. I’ve taken perhaps 1/4 off by now. No need for a heat gun, although maybe that would help some, but honestly it’s easy if you go slow and deliberate. Sometimes it will come off in pieces and you need to carefully get it back to full width- otherwise it will get frustrating. Most of the time it comes off in a big satisfying sheet. I’ve had zero glue residue. It seems some colors are harder than others- perhaps they just happen to be thinner or something. The biggest issue is when it goes behind a trim piece that has been caulked. Some areas you’ll destroy the seal and need to re-do, which with silicon means removing all remaining. So some pieces can turn into a larger job. I can faintly see where the removed pieces were, particularly the ones that have been on longer, but it’s not a big deal. I wonder if most of that is dirt on the edges? Hardly noticeable and better than the swirl, that’s for sure. I was surprised how easily they came off. I’ll probably stop at about 1/2.

[Bob Denman]

Be cautious with heat guns: they WILL start to melt the decals. Haitdryers are a bit safer to use.

[motofabio]

Originally Posted by Tfryman

Yep.

Just what I was looking for... thanks!

I’m going to give it a shot as soon as the weather warms up a bit. No sense fighting the cold air and upcoming rain.

[motofabio]

Oh - and I’ll get my first shot at the back, where today I found this. Would be a bummer if I really liked it.

[motofabio]

I whipped up a Photochop job and after seeing it, I definitely want to do it. No sense in keeping the decals which over time will fade, peel, and look ugly. If I peel them off now, my coach won't look super dated when the inevitable sun damage takes over.

[motofabio]

I did a test run on the front. Easy peasy! A few on the back and much of the sides run under the silicone caulking around windows and frames, so I haven’t decided if I’m going to trim the sticker close and live with the bits under the silicone, or if I’m going to pull off and redo the silicone. The latter sounds like a lot of work for not a lot of gain. We’ll see.

[Bob Denman]

Looking good!

[motofabio]

You guys... I peeled everything off the driver side. It was in the sun and today it was 65°F, so everything peeled off without the need of a hair dryer.

I used an Exacto knife to cut the stickers where they go under the silicone around edges, windows, and compartments, rather than peeling off the silicone and redoing it. Once the stickers are off you can hardly see the little edges left behind. I love it!!!

It was about 2½ hours to do that side and about ½ hour for the front. So another 2 hours and I’ll be finished and will post pictures.

[motofabio]

This was fun!

https://youtu.be/fv3jyxp78L4

[mountainsam]

So while waiting for better weather you have the job half completed? Gives me an idea but I will for sure wait for spring. Good job

[motofabio]

Originally Posted by mountainsam

So while waiting for better weather you have the job half completed? Gives me an idea but I will for sure wait for spring. Good job

Huh? Half completed? I think someone slipped something into your coffee!

[Bob Denman]

No wonder it only took you such a short time: you're a really fast worker!
Congratulations!

[Tom N3EQF]

My Windsport 27K decals were looking dreadful after 4 years in FL sun, and the finish overall was pathetic even after two professional detailings. I took the expensive route to eliminating the decals; had the entire RV painted! Pictures attached.

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1547050183

[motofabio]

Originally Posted by Tom N3EQF

My Windsport 27K decals were looking dreadful after 4 years in FL sun, and the finish overall was pathetic even after two professional detailings. I took the expensive route to eliminating the decals; had the entire RV painted! Pictures attached.

Tom that looks GREAT! Now that mine is an open canvas, I was thinking of having it painted. What’d that cost?