tfrazie
Bel Air, MD
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Joined: 05/06/2004
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due to homeowner association rules that no RV shall be parked in the community unless in a garage i'd like to remove all graphics/decals from my 2004 Roadtrek to pass off potentially as a van conversion.
anyone done this? Problems? risks to paint? How to do it? and how much time.
Thanks
Tim Frazier
2005 Airstream Westfalia Sprinter
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PAFordSD250
western PA
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Joined: 04/13/2004
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If your vehicle is registered as a mh/camper, removing decals won't change what it is. But you can use a hair dryer or If you are very careful a heat gun. The heat gun will blister paint rather quickly. use a plastic scraper so you don't scratch the paint. paint may need buffed/polished afterwards.
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rckrzy1
Hurst, TX USA
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Joined: 02/24/2004
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Hair dryer to heat them up has worked for me.
Adam in Hurst TX
2004 Springdale 189FL
2004 1500 Crew Cab Silverado 5.3L 3.42
WD hitch and friction anti-sway
Voyager Envoy brake controller
Yamaha EF2800
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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3M makes a decal removal device. It looks like shredded plastic bags on a mandrel you put in a drill. It doesn't hurt the finish. A good automotive paint store should carry it. I think there is a chemical that helps, too. Again, to the paint store.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Joined: 05/02/2001
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The way to do it without heat or abrasives that could damage the surface is a 3M product called Woodgrain and Decal Remover 08907. It is a spray that emulsifies when you apply it, making it foam up and stick to the side of the RV where it dissolves the stripes so that they can be easily scraped off with a plastic scraper. This stuff works like a charm but is expensive. There is a companion product called Woodgrain and Decal Adhesive Remover 08908 that will take off any adhesive residue. You can also use isopropyl alcohol for that.
Professional paint and graphics shops often use an "eraser wheel", which is a soft rubber wheel that attaches to a drill motor.
I have used both of these methods. The 3M stuff is the easiest but most expensive. The eraser wheel is cheaper but takes a lot more work.
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bar_20
Somewhere West of Laramie
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Joined: 05/22/2003
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I assume you are talking about their advertizing on the optional rear spare tire. The rest of the decals on the side of your R/T don't need to be removed. I have seen lots of van conversions with vinyl decals on the sides of the van with different names on them, plus the tire covers. The van conversion ones don't say motorhome on them however. My R/T only says motorhome on the rear tire cover.
Steve & Donalee
1994 27ft Winnebago Brave
2008 Lincoln Mark LT
2005 PT Cruiser Convertible
1984 El Camino
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Rodger
Tucson, AZ.
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Joined: 03/20/2002
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http://www.myroadtrek.homestead.com/nographics.html
Visit My Roadtrek
Hey, check out the new RV.Net Blogs!
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PUPTENT
Novato, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/25/2002
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Within a week of bringing home the PW I removed the decals from the front hood and the rear left door - felt like I was driving a rental van!
With these parts facing the sun, I scraped off the decals using a fingernail. Then, I used Goo-Gone and wiped the residue clean. Then, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I put on two coats of Maguires cleaner wax.
The finished product is flawless/no indication any decals had been affixed.
PUPTENT - Barry and Wife
2003/02 Pleasure-Way Ford Excel RD V8
Novato, California (SF Bay Area)
"I never met a campfire I didn't like."
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tfrazie
Bel Air, MD
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OK me again, the original poster of this decal removal question. MY dealer is telling me that he WILL take off ALL or some of the decals for me when I pick it up this coming Monday. He claims that he has seen the following problem: After some period of time following the removal, that a shadow type outline of the graphic/decal will show from certain angles due to the difference between the UV exposure of the paint without a decal covering and the paint under the decal. I asked him and my Roadtrek has been on his lot for 62 days.
Anyone want to weigh in on this? I'd appreciate it.
Thanks again, Tim
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Quote:Anyone want to weigh in on this? I'd appreciate it.
Your dealer is right, but if this is a new unit that has been sitting in the sun for only a few months it should be ok.
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