Camper decals

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Mar 22, 2015 | 11:06 AM

#16

FordmanNJ

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 1,728

Likes: 80

From: New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV_Tech

Yeah, the darn stuff in proprietary, although you can find some manufacturer's stuff on eBay. I had just the front name done and the graphics designer who did the work was really good and it looks original, although the font is not a perfect match you can not tell it. The designer's time cost me more than the vinyl and decal, good work costs. The names on the sides are okay and I am just going to take off the other work and either paint or else use generic decals which you can buy in kits for not too much. I can't afford to have everything reproduced from scratch, although I know folks who have.

Given how much these things cost, in my opinion, the lack of quality in the decals is criminal as it has so much impact on resale. Grr!

Steve

Ironically it is about cost. Most prints are going to be made on a fairly economy grade vinyl and most likely not treated with laminate either. On average most print inks are going to be rated at 2-3 years outdoor use without protection. If the factory used a high grade vinyl with the proper laminate, it could cost significantly more not including labor. I do not know if the factories have print shops within or outsourcing their work. However, seeing this everyday in various set ups, I could see why you they might not go down this route. However, I would think having a print shop on site would be beneficial in the long term given the ability to replicate decals from unit of an older generation. My guess would be similar to a beverage distribution company. The print dept is an expense but it also generates the income at later point.

Long story short. Ironically the manufactures are trying to save a couple of hundred now but can make your rig be worth even less several years down the road because of poor decaling. That's why I shake my head about see all those fancy decaled trailers at the shows.

Mar 22, 2015 | 11:13 AM

#17

Irelands child

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,899

Likes: 12

From: Upstate NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordmanNJ

........ I do not know if the factories have print shops within or outsourcing their work........

Keystone (Montana at least) outsources their decals as it 'cost' me in two ways last summer, loan and use of the new trailer. The dealer's contract paint shop screwed up the first set and the decal manufacturer was doing sets for different models

Mar 22, 2015 | 12:51 PM

#18

RV_Tech

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 10,060

Likes: 491

From: Bristol, TN.

I think they all are outsourced. At least I never saw decals being made in at any manufacturer I visited, but then virtually everything is outsourced, so no surprise there. It is funny how some manufacturers have decals that really stand the test of time and others are deteriorating almost as soon as they leave the factory. How about motor homes? They seem to hold up well and I have seen some really high-end stuff getting the decals put on. I am not sure how manufacturers make the decisions about where to spend their money.

I know when I had mine made, the graphics place said they were sure I would want the heavier vinyl and the lettering on my trucks has always stood up very well. It still looks new years after it was put on.

Mar 22, 2015 | 02:52 PM

#19

Hank85713

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 2,414

Likes: 22

From: Tucson USA

We have a small TT and the company KIT went out of business. We needed new decals but as noted by many they are not available. I looked at ebay and there were many other brands available but just not mine. So I got with this guy:
RV Restripe Central - Main got with my sons friend who works in a body shop and we ordered a quantity that would replicate the major stripes. I also ordered off ebay a couple of large end crescent shapes in same color and it all came together great. For the front window cover (I havent put on yet) and on the rear I ordered from off ebay some large eagle/flag decals/stickies and they came out nice also. My manuf names and the small tape trim needs to be removed but we have since bought a MH so these are not pressing. For the fade I used the white 3m scratch pads and then barkeepers cleanser to clean off the fade to a very large degree. These are the items recommended on the fiberglass website to clean up old fade. Mine was about 12 years old at the time.

Mar 25, 2015 | 11:30 AM

#20

Good listener

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 360

Likes: 3

From: Michigan

I plan on using 303 Aerospace protectant twice a year instead of wax. I think it will provide better UV protection than the waxes and is very quick and easy to apply.

Mar 25, 2015 | 12:29 PM

#21

Big-Foot

Post Fiend

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 6,801

Likes: 7

From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good listener

I plan on using 303 Aerospace protectant twice a year instead of wax. I think it will provide better UV protection than the waxes and is very quick and easy to apply.

This is not the first time I have gotten an email based on my thread subscriptions here and when I click the link to the forum, I see the entire content of the thread was changed..

Cold this be a rather cunning way to direct-email spam to people based on a thread subscription?
Something wrong with the forum subscription service?
What?

You're up!

Mar 25, 2015 | 01:24 PM

#22

Irelands child

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,899

Likes: 12

From: Upstate NY

Yeah Randy, got the same and wondered myself - S-P-A-A-A-M-M-M???

And no, .303 doesn't provide good protection except on tires and maybe on rubber roofs (.303 sounds like a British SMLE rifle to me

)