Decal Application and Care?

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Mike Ellis

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I finally received my replacement decals for my Bigfoot, and am looking for info on best way to install them to ensure longevity. Bigfoot shipped them to me from a vinyl sign company, no instructions from the vinyl folks on how to make the decals last.



The decal vinyl is a metallic flake, glossy material of standard stick-on construction.



Any suggestions on prepping surface to get that old tiger-grip?



Also, any suggestions on waxes or sealants that are decal-friendly? I want to make these rascals last, they cost me $350 for the full set and there is a lot of work involved putting them on looks like. Sure don't want to repeat later down the road because of using the wrong wax and watching decals shrivel!
 
Mike , I'm sure others have more ideas, however, what has worked for me, is to use alcohol to firmly remove all built up waxes. The vinyl decal stickers for exterior auto use, have great adhesive, properties, and the better & cleaner the surface the better adhesion. . I wouldn't use any solvents, or other products, that may damage clear coat or paint surfaces. As far as wax, depending on the quality of the vinyl decal, most life expectancy is usually 5-7 years. Heat and sun are the things that deteriorate the decals the most. Some makers of vinyl decals, don't recommend using wax, however, in my experience with todays vinyls, wax does not protect or harm the vinyls or extend the life... Unless the manufacture specifically says not to use wax, I would just use the same stuff you wax your truck with.



Steve
 
Good info but have just the opposite question. I want to remove the failing vinyl sticker from the two doors (which have a pebble finish) of my trailer and then I plan on just repainting them. How can I safely get those stickers off w/o destroying the paint underneath?

TIA



Scotty
 
?????

Scotty, I'm no sticker/or decal expert, but I debadge my truck. I think is all depends on how long the stickers have been on your trailer, and it seems from your post they may have been on for several years? The best way I know of, would be to park your trailer in direct sun-light "heat of the day", use a hair dryer, and carefully apply heat to a corner of the sticker and work the removable of the sticker while continuing to heat. I think a heat gun, would also work, however, if you are not careful, too much heat would defiantly ruin the paint surface. Any glue residue from the sticker can be removed with alcohol, or goof-off.



Steve
 
Maybe this will help? 3M sells a product called wood grain and plastic decal remover, now thats not the exact name, but if you would go to your local automotive paint supplier they should be able to hook you up. Another hint, usually metalics, holographic, and prismatic decals don't do well in the sun, expect only 2-3 years before noticable fadding, and or seperation. Also clean the trailer surface, and remimber anything that was left from the old decales or other matter will be very noticable once the new decale is lay down. Meany sign shops will use a clean spray bottle with just a touch of soap (dish type), and about 10% alcohol (it make the solution evaperate quicker) rest water. just pre plan were everything should go, so when you start applying your decals you can consentrate on that, and not be worring about anything else. If the pieces are long, you will need help, also if you need a ladder or two have it ready. The decals are not fragile, but they can rip if handled roughly. You will need a table (just like if you were going to wall paper), so you can lay the decal out, remove the backing, spray with your water sollution, and be generous. The whole ideal hear is to give yourself a window to work, allow you time to position decal and move arround with ease. You will need some plastic squeegee's to remove water once placement is had. Also spray the trailer surface with water sollution, it work is done outside in sunlight, it is very important to keep wet. Take your time and start with some smaller peices, you'll get the hang of it.
 
Mike,



If they are large decals, use dish soap and water in a spray bottle. Spray down the area where the decals go with this solution. Soapy water allows you to move and adjust the decal. Then using a Bondo (body filler) paddle as a squegee, work from the center out ward smoothing the decal down and working out the air bubbles.



Fireman
 
Good info on the decal installation! The periodic application of 303 Protectant will greatly add to the longevity of th decals. I apply 303 every 30 days to the decals on my TT and after five years they still look like new with no evidence of drying, fading or cracking.



Mike
 
Thanks for the info guys, greatly appreciated! So I should NOT use alcohol to remove wax in the area the decal is applied?



msimmons,



The 303 protectant sounds like a good idea, but how do you handle waxing the rig - do you just avoid putting wax where the decal is, or ???



I am going to really go over mine with the 3M fiberglass restorer and get everything looking A#1 before I put the decals on, but once the decals are on, I want the fiberglass surface in/around them to be protected too.



Will 303 work for that purpose, or is there some sort of wax, protectant, or sealer that is safe to use over the decals too? Looking for the best long-term protection possible...
 
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Hey Mike,

What year/model is your Bigfoot? I'm thinking of replacing my decals too. I would like to go from the teal colored '96/'97 decals to the newer grey ones. Did you get directly from the factory or did you have to go through a dealer? Thanks

Dave
 
Dave,



I had to go through the dealer, the factory won't sell direct to public but will answer questions. There was a lot of confusion when I asked to buy the decals - at first, both dealer and Bigfoot themselves said I could not purchase them at all. I thought this was ludicrous, so I sent a letter to President of the Bigfoot company and asked them to reconsider.



Still didn't get anywhere until the parts lady realized I was looking for 1997 decals, she told me that she had done some checking and said that back then they were done by a local vendor for Bigfoot. She coordinated with the vendor and I was able to eventually buy them through the Camping Country dealer in Colorado Springs ($350 - ouch!!) I wanted the burgundy color since my truck is red, but I ended up with a blue metallic color. It looks pretty nice, there is a light blue metallic that is bright and shiny, and then a darker blue that is the "shadow" I guess like the charcoal color they use now.



Apparently for some of the other model years the decals were manufactured elsewhere and may not be available. If you have a 1996 / 1997 variant you may be in luck.



PS - I was originally told that the graphics place could make them in any color you want.
 
Thanks Mike!

Do you mean local as in local to the Plant? If so, I would be interested to know the company that made them as I'm only 45 minutes from Bigfoot's Manufacturing Plant. Odds are, I may even already be familiar with the decal company if they're from Vernon or Kelowna. So yours is a '97 2500? The thing that confuses me a little, is that all the decals should fit from '96 to present because the camper shell hasn't changed. If you can get '97 decals in charcoal, they would look similar (or identical?) to the 2003 decals.

Thanks again

Dave
 
Dave,



She didn't specify exactly where they were, just said local. Might be able to call the different shops and ask if they source to Bigfoot or something.



There are some differences in the decals on newer models, with the way the "swoops" are oriented and the size of the mountain scene thingy. The older Bigfoots (Bigfeet?) had a large block letter decal on the back that is different from what they told me. I know that on mine, even though the camper still looks pretty white and not all yellowed, it is very obvious where the old decals were, if you put different ones on you would have the "ghost lines" cutting across. Wouldn't bother most people I suspect but to me it is like a ding on the truck, once you know it's there it stands out like a meteor crater.



The Colorado Springs dealer told me they only buy campers with charcoal decals now because they go well with any truck color. Interestingly enough she also said they don't order any of the Bigfoots standard with the bunk and that not many people special order them.
 
Mike,

Good point. The wrong decals would show the "mint" original white areas where they were different. I think the big block letters were in '95 (another buddy has a '95 1500), but for all I know they made subtle changes every couple of years. I know '96 and '97 are the same because another friend has a '97 and we park side by side. Sounds like your solution is the best one. I think I'll call Mike Rosman RV in Vernon and ask to order a set. I'll try to get them in Charcoal, if possible. Do you mind if I use your name when they try to tell me they won't sell them?

Thanks

Dave
 
You bet, feel free to use my name - although it may do more harm than good! :D



If they give you any static remind them that a nice, clean camper is a rolling advert for Bigfoot and will help stimulate interest in the product.



I have a set of pics that were sent to me by a fellow who has a website detailing his adventures in a 1997 Bigfoot 2500, his has the burgundy decals with charcoal highlites. On the rear of the camper, to the right of the door and just above the seam, there is a block lettered all-caps "BIGFOOT" and just under it in a different lettering is "2500", that is the block lettering style I was referring to. Is yours the same?



I finally got my login-ID to the Bigfoot Owner's website, not a lot of traffic yet but it is growing fast.
 
Thanks Mike!

Whilst you may not be thier favorite person , its hard for them to sell them to one guy and not another;) I have been following the Bigfoot Owners Website, but haven't joined yet. This would probably be a good group to discuss things like the decal issue. Mine doesn't say 2500 anywhere on it but it does have the BIGFOOT in caps on the right hand side of the door abore the propane compartment. On the back there is just "bigfoot" running on the left with the three stripes over to the lettering above the propane comp. Colors are teal grean above with some fine blue stripes below. I would leave the decals alone, but the front decal is chiping and peeling around the edges and I want to get the gelcoat sanded/polished and the only proper way to do that is to remove the decals.

Cheers

Dave
 
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