Decals Lifting

Mswan · 10-20-2021, 12:53 AM

Waxing my trailer today i noticed that the corners on some of the decals lifted. Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do? Did you glue them? What did you use?

Losangeles · 10-20-2021, 11:22 AM

Yikes!

We always have ordered brand new "naked" fiberglass trailers (Casita, Escape) to avoid issues like this...... sorry to hear this is happening.

i myself would not glue it.

maybe consider carefully removing them all? dont know how to do this.

Ron in BC · 10-20-2021, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losangeles

We always have ordered brand new "naked" fiberglass trailers (Casita, Escape) to avoid issues like this...... sorry to hear this is happening.

That only works if you like the "naked" look. I saw one on the road a couple of weeks ago and to me it looked like a beached whale.

Generally decals lifting isn't a problem. In 40 years of decals on boats and trailers I've never had one lift and it doesn't seem to be an issue that occurs very often.

That said, I wouldn't try gluing it. Maybe ask a vinyl shop for advice.

Good luck

Ron

DanK · 10-20-2021, 12:34 PM

On a previous trailer I trimmed the part of the decal that was coming off with a single edge razor blade .

Ian and Sue · 10-20-2021, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanK

On a previous trailer I trimmed the part of the decal that was coming off with a single edge razor blade .

This is your best bet. You may be able to find the match for your graphics at a sign shop and apply a patch piece of vinyl. It will not work to try and glue it...you will still end up with the vinyl peeling and a mess...

Unfortunately Escape does not use the high end vinyl and the low end stuff will peel....sorry. I used to run a ski area sign shop and we specialized in vinyl.
There was a thread a while ago on the vinyl on our trailers and I did some looking. Our graphics are the cheaper calendered not the good cast vinyl. the calendered typically has a life of 3 - 6 yrs and the cast 7+ and I have seen signs that I did 20 yrs ago still looking good made from the cast.

gbaglo · 10-20-2021, 04:40 PM

My vinyl graphics are all still in good shape after 12 years. I take care waxing and polishing near them. The darker colours last longer.

Doug2000 · 10-20-2021, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

My vinyl graphics are all still in good shape after 12 years. I take care waxing and polishing near them. The darker colours last longer.

I started trimming and removing sections of our graphics when we got our 2007 17B in 2015. They were in poor shape. In about 2017 I removed the rest. I do like the naked look. Looked good behind my white 4Runner.

I figure the life span is about 5 years unless the trailer is stored inside.

brroberts · 10-21-2021, 07:27 AM

I ordered our trailer naked. I don’t think it’s the best look, but I prefer it to peeling, fading decals. I don’t like the ghosting left by peeled decals, the attempts to buff it out, and the cost and time of replacement. I’ve never had an RV that didn’t, at some point, peel. So since I bought new, and had the choice to omit them, I did. I do think tasteful graphics look better than naked, but some manufactures, not ETI, do what I consider gaudy decals which I don’t like.

I’ve decided the best treatment I’ve found to patch peeling graphics is to cut out what you can. If you know you will keep the style, I’ve filled in the cut sections with careful taping and paint.

Dave Walter · 10-21-2021, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug2000

...I figure the life span is about 5 years unless the trailer is stored inside.

Maybe weather conditions are more severe in your neighborhood or the graphics quality varies for different colors. In any case, both of our 2013 Escapes (19 and 15B) have the red graphics and are stored outdoors (covered during winter months). I do not see any difference between the graphics condition now and when they were new.

**cpaharley2008** · 10-21-2021, 09:43 AM

I think the solar has more effect, thus the further south the more impact.

Fender · 10-21-2021, 10:28 AM

Wondering if anyone has a photo of a "naked" Escape?
Since we have a year and a half to decide on things we can consider all options.
Also, for what it's worth my brother-in-law purchased a Class A motorhome a few years ago with faded and cracked decals. He removed them and painted them on.
He's good at this kind of thing and it's certainly not an option for everyone but it made the MH look brand new.

escape artist · 10-21-2021, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mswan

Waxing my trailer today i noticed that the corners on some of the decals lifted. Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do? Did you glue them? What did you use?

Hi: Mswan.... A few years ago mine started to curl on the nose of the trailer. I thought I'd used some strong bug remover and it was removing the graphics too. I took the originals off using a hair dryer. Had them replaced and here we go again. I think now I need a "Curling iron"!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

escape artist · 10-21-2021, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fender

Wondering if anyone has a photo of a "naked" Escape?
Since we have a year and a half to decide on things we can consider all options.
Also, for what it's worth my brother-in-law purchased a Class A motorhome a few years ago with faded and cracked decals. He removed them and painted them on.
He's good at this kind of thing and it's certainly not an option for everyone but it made the MH look brand new.

Hi: Fender... If you can bare to look here's one I snapped at the ETI rally in 2018.

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Fender · 10-21-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: Fender... If you can bare to look here's one I snapped at the ETI rally in 2018.

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

I don't mind that. Very clean looking!

Rossue · 10-21-2021, 11:12 AM

I peeled red graphics off within first year. Over the years have added black accents like wheels, vent cover & front box edging.

Rossue · 10-21-2021, 11:13 AM

One more-

brroberts · 10-21-2021, 11:33 AM

2021 E19 from the factory:

The back has the protective travel film on it.

escape artist · 10-21-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

I peeled red graphics off within first year. Over the years have added black accents like wheels, vent cover & front box edging.

Hi: Rossue... At least you can say your trailer had "A peel".

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

rjreeves · 10-21-2021, 04:05 PM

My simian joke.

Jgntch · 01-19-2022, 08:17 PM

Alf...can I ask if you put the new decals on a recently waxed trailer or if you waxed (or did anything else) afterwards to help the vinyl stay put? We are considering adding some to our 5.0 TA and wondering where in the spring cleaning and waxing cycle we should apply them.

Also, where did you get your decals from? We definitely want something that will last!!

Thanks!!

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