removing tattered decal

[fourfourto]

The plastic razor blades are sharp work great and don't damage paint.

[Hawaii]

Thanks for the tip!

[Hilda]

We are doing this over the next few days. the high temps we've been having have made the decals curl up and dry out. I suppose they were close to it anyway, but over 100 for so many days in a row....
I don't care if it loses it's fun finder identity, but I would like something on the sides. it is the t139, metal sides, not the fiberglass, so I'm not sure how easy it would be to put other decal graphics on. We may leave it without, unless we find something we like. I'd welcome ideas.

[Eagle]

A good body shop can mask and paint graphics on the unit which would probably last far longer than decals.

[Hilda]

I hadn't thought of that, thanks! my husband is really good at that sort of thing, maybe he could even do it!

[Eagle]

Should decals be desired, check with the places that put decals and stripes on automobiles or trucks. They have the equipment to make any style/color desired and install as well.

[Hilda]

thanks! I'll check with them too.

[Hilda]

this is a slow, messy frustrating job! I have a word of advice....if you are thinking it's time to remove vinyl graphic/decals from an rv, do it before they are crispy, crinkly and dry. On what was obviously the south side in storage on our t139, the decals were much more deteriorated than the other side.

The decals that were not cracking and peeling were much much easier to remove. when heated with a hair dryer, and carefully peeled away, they came off nicely. most of the adhesive came along, leaving a minor line of dirt and sticky residue. easily removed with goo gone.

the decals in really bad condition required heating and scraping and came off in little gummy pieces, leaving a hard and difficult to remove residue of adhesive. I'm still struggling with a combination of goo gone, liquid detergent and plastic scrub pad, paint thinner, scraper and fingernails.

so if your decals are sort of peeling on the edges, a little faded and dated...if you think maybe you should remove them before they get much worse--DO!

[LJAZ]

You might try some ammonia in a spray bottle. Check it in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn't damage or discolor the wall though.

[Hilda]

Ok, that will be next on my list of things to try! Thanks. We have almost all of it off and it's looking much better. I think it was hard because it is the metal skin style, not the smooth fiberglass. However, no ghosts, just sticky residue. I'll try ammonia on the Areas where stubborn adhesive still remains. Plastic razor blades would help, but had to order them on amazon, as I couldn't find them at any local stores. Also ordered the rubber wheel, probably be done before that gets here. Ah well, we will be ready for the decals we left on, as they weren't so bad.

[Eagle]

Plastic razor blades/plastic razor scrapers are available at Lowes, Home Depot, Menards and Ace Hardware and other such retail outlets.

[Hilda]

Hmm. I went to Home Depot and ace. They looked but didn't have them. I even showed them a pic on my phone of them. Pep boys didn't and advanced auto parts either. They could all have ordered them, but might as well order from amazon. We don't have a menards, wish we did!

[Eagle]

Well, not every retail store stocks every product the chain has....not even Walmart, Shopko, or Target........or stores like Camping World, Cabelas, etc.

The internet makes finding products not available locally, simple and easy...just a little wait time is all.

[Hilda]

it's true, you can order what you need. But I still try to find things to buy in local stores first, being a small business owner myself at one time. But just can't find everything you need sometimes. as more and more shoppers go on line, even the big stores are carrying less and less.