🔴HOW WE RESTORED OUR FADED AND CRACKED RV VINYL DECALS | RV DIY tutorial

HOW WE RESTORED OUR FADED AND CRACKED RV VINYL DECALS RV makeover painting graphics, Painting over RV vinyl decals, RV Decal painting, can you paint over RV decals
The Decal on our 2000 Fleetwood Bounder were starting to show their age and had faded and cracked. Our first thought was to get the RV wrapped and after getting a price quote, we were shocked at the price. Next, we looked at replacing the decals and that was not much better and finally, we decided to just paint over them and give the old girl and new look. Today we are going to show you the steps that we took to paint over our Faded and cracked graphics (stripes) on our RV. This may look like a simple enough project, but when you own a 43 foot RV that has 4 different color graphics (stripes) this project can take a while.
Products used in this video:
Ours follow up video - What does the RV vinyl look like after 1 year • 🔴Fixed FADED AND CRACK...
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Aron and Lori Jemison
Live simple, live free and enjoy the Ride
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[@3tailsRV]

If you have completed this project please post a picture of your RV on our facebook page ▶ facebook.com/groups/918004458223949/ We would love to see your results..

[@jimp.7286]

It always used to amaze us how many folks in the rv community would tell people in online forums asking about doing this - that it couldn't be done or that it'd be a bad idea. The kicker?,... none of them had done it. That's often the case with many things. We've done this more than once wth good results. The paints they make now days seem to bond to just about anything and lay down easily. As for those asking about serious cracks; use a "high-fill" spray-can primer from the auto parts store and a scuffy pad or sanding block and go over it lightly, (very lightly),. Then hit it with a very light first coat.

[@3tailsRV]

First off thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Haters will hate it worked on our RV. Has been on there for almost a year and we have had zero problems with it.

[@3tailsRV]

🔴 Like this video? Share it with another KZbinr...or on Facebook with this link -->kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJnaaXxrnd2biKc 😀👊 Don't forget to subscribe to get more great videos just like this one: kzbin.info/door/4g8YB5j_Q1sDCtTNy3wWyQ products used in this video - kit.com/arjemison/how-to-paint-the-vinyl-decals-on-your-rv

[@4WingView]

Got your back. Subscribed and notifications are on.

[@HelloWorldRobnLisa]

Extremely skeptical when I saw the title. However, this came out amazingly!!!! I personally would not have thought about this myself, but this looks like a great way to start to change up the look of our 2005 Itasca verses dropping 17k on a complete full body paint job. Awesome, thanks for putting this out here shipmate. Beat Army!

[@ExploringCanadaInfo]

Making things beautiful - one thing at a time!

[@3tailsRV]

Thank for taking the time to stop over watch a video, leave a comment, and supporting my channel

[@costa2984]

Beautiful work!

[@dennistharpe7932]

Thank you for your service in the Navy

[@3tailsRV]

Thanks for the support and taking the time to leave a comment 👍

[@generalworks47]

wow...looks great

[@3tailsRV]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@RVAshsinApril]

That turned out nice. 👍

[@3tailsRV]

Thanks 👍

[@amandabruney3835]

Aron thank you. Needed the smiles today on a serious subject...take care..don't shake up too much..lol

[@3tailsRV]

Amanda thanks for watching! But I like to shake it up!!!! LOL have a great day..

[@amandabruney3835]

@@3tailsRV same to you. Gotta keep it interesting right? Hahaha

[@TrinidadBadMon]

Very helpful I’m going to do this to my kenworth

[@katelynjackson5396]

This is great - like having my dad come show me ♥️ Appreciate the video a lot

[@3tailsRV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@WhoaNellieRVAdventures]

I was searching how to restore cracked vinyl decals and your video was first in line! Of coarse I had to click and watch! ~Lucy

[@3tailsRV]

Thanks for watching Lucy and taking time to leave a comment

[@mickeycabrera325]

Very nice

[@johnwren3976]

Suggest first edging with 1/4" tape next to stripe. Wipe down with 3M wax remover in case there's any wax or silicone on the surface. Or, use mineral spirits. Scuff surface with 400 grit or similar scotch brite pad.

[@3tailsRV]

what works for one may not work for others. See the results after one year on a recent video thanks for watching

[@annragsdale8847]

Love your Bounder!!

[@3tailsRV]

Thanks Ann! What do you like the most about it?

[@annragsdale8847]

@@3tailsRV Now that's a hard question. ;) I'm on my second Bounder so there must be a lot I like about them in general.

[@johnbannister501]

Great Job! I noticed that you worked ALOT faster when Laurie came out!! LOL

[@sandie062985]

Thanks for the info and thank you for service in the Navy🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@3tailsRV]

Any time! and thanks for stopping by

[@johncronk3939]

Nice job. I thought about doing this but opted to replace the old vinyl. A lot of work. Wish I had seen this video first.

[@3tailsRV]

It’s still a lot of work no matter how you do it. Lol thanks for coming over and checking out one of our videos and taking the time to leave a comment!!

[@976charlie9]

1) Fill cracks with automotive glaze 2) sand 3) Spray on adhesion promoter (Bulldog) Gameover

[@3tailsRV]

ThaNks for leaving a comment. What works for some may not work for all.

[@976charlie9]

Aron Jemison No, either you want it to come out like yours (visible cracks) or take someone else’s advice that does it for a living. Thank you for your service.

[@hardtruth2039]

Damn brother that turned out great! Subbed!

[@3tailsRV]

Thank you for watching and Giving us a Sub..

[@chrischapman276]

Great idea for our 06 Terry. The decals have been sun beaten all their life and they make this trailer look like it just doesn't belong with the ones at the stops we enjoy so much. I'll be doing just this as I've thought I'd have to remove the decals first to paint new ones on. Thanks for the video. See you on the road with new stripes to match yours!!! ***edit/addition*** Thank you for your service. EM3 Chapman USS Barbour County LST 1195 San Dog USS Antietam CG54 Long Beach. Desert Shield/Storm on first. Desert Storm on the second.

[@3tailsRV]

Glad to help shipmate. I will be posting another video in the spring so that other can see how well they have been holding up. Thank you for your service in the world greatest Navy.

[@nickvnc1]

Thanks for this…I’ve been taking a lot of old graphics off our 2004 Winny Siteseer…such a pain. I think I will try to replace with new vinyl graphics that I can order on some of these. But the big “swoops” it will be so much easier to try your method of paint. Have you tried the Krylon Fusion “all in one?” Still debating exactly which kind of paint to try.

[@chelle7362]

Will you update us and let us know how it weathers over the cracking? Ours is doing that too but we thought we had to sand first.

[@3tailsRV]

WOW! Thanks again. As long as it is a clean dry surface with paint will bond to the plastic surface. that is why we cleaned it with TSP. TSP is what professional paints use to clean prior to painting. UF you have any other questions please let us know

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

I have a winnebago explorer 2003 the decals have faded ,,, Looks like I have another job to do ,,, Yours looks great , R.J.T Traveling the east coast of Australia ,,,,,

[@3tailsRV]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Ours are still looking great even after a year and traveling over 5,000 miles. Good luck painting

[@timcarter9146]

How good does it stick though? Feeling this gonna peek down the road.

[@presenttotheready6365]

2002 39Z Bounder, just got a quote, remove vinyl graphics $2k and repaint Graphics $3.8k, $5,800.00 nope. I'm painting my graphics because of too HIGH a cost for old the coach and your DIY awesome video. Thank you! May i ask, how many cans of paint did it take?, i realize it was multi colored but total cans gives me an idea.

[@3tailsRV]

Nice, glad we could help. If I remember right (it's been over a year and I have slept a couple time since then) 2 can of each color

[@golfbum18]

Enjoyed your vid.....looks like a great job.....how has it aged since you did it?

[@3tailsRV]

You will have to watch the second video filmed just a couple months back!

[@timothybuchanan1611]

Is your coach full body paint or just fiberglass? Ours is fiberglass which has dulled over time and I was wondering if the contrast between dull fiberglass and newly painted stripes would be a problem with the appearance?

[@professorjedi1024]

hey great video... I've been trying to remove a baked on decal but its a mess.... thinking about doing the paint over... did you add any sort of clear-coat over the paint??

[@3tailsRV]

Please watch this video where I show you it 1 year later and answer that very question:

[@streetsmartsteve6358]

Thank You Aron. I need this for my RV. What about the white space outside the stripes? Same process??? What type of white paint would that be?? Gloss, Satin?

[@3tailsRV]

Sorry I dont have an answer for that one. Something I will have to take a look at here soon and stick around...

[@rickl6697]

Would it be a good idea to lightly sand or scuff the vinyl with a scotch Brite pad to increase adhesion.

[@3tailsRV]

We didn’t but u don’t see why you could. T has almost been a year now and it is still holding up like we did it yesterday. Thanks for the comment

[@RCFlyer007]

Enjoyed your informative video but I am still confused about the process so if you could come to Yuma in the next five months and do our 35 foot fifth wheel I would probably understand how once you are done. Signed, slow learner

[@3tailsRV]

I’ll give you an “A” for effort, but that is a project that is better done by its owner. Lol great comment

[@RCFlyer007]

I had to at least try LOL. On a serious note though, I have removed a few of my decals that were really bad and it left a shadow on the RV of where they used to be. Do you believe this spray paint would adhere to The gelcoat? Thanks

[@3tailsRV]

Cliff Berry you will have to do real thin coats of paint, I would test it on a small area first.

[@yohanaortiz7314]

Hi there! Newbie here. I was thinking of removing the stripes and painting my RV altogether since a bit old, but I may just do this instead. What type of paint would you recommend for the white part though? Thanks!

[@3tailsRV]

I personally have never done it, but there are other videos on how 2.. Sorry :(

[@mikeb8852]

Just curious. I noticed the 2 100lb propane tanks. Do you haul those with you and if so, how? Thanks

[@3tailsRV]

First off thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. to answer your question; No, sorry we only moved them to get them filled. I made a bracket using 2 4x4 and notched them, install a cross brace with 2x4's and cut out a moon shape to match the curve of the bottle. I strapped all that to a wheeled cart so it was easier to move around. We don't travel with them any more as we sold them when we left washington state. (that was a year and and half ago)

[@jamesclark7248]

Aron, Please publish an update after a year or so and let us know how the paint is holding up. I'd assumed that the vinyl and any residue had to be removed before painting. I'd sure like it better if painting over the vinyl turned out to be a good long term solution!

[@3tailsRV]

James thanks for watch the video and leaving a comment. So we made that video only a few months ago, but I can say that we have driven over 3,000 miles since then and we get a lot of positive comments about how well it looks. I will keep you suggestion in mid and do a video at the 6 month mark.

[@3tailsRV]

here you go James Clark - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpyTkKOBm9-gadk

[@4WingView]

I thurally enjoyed this idea. I own a 2002 Fleetwood with same issues. How did you fill in the cracked decals?

[@3tailsRV]

+4 Wing View first off thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. The more layers you add of paint will help to fill in the cracks. Like I said in the video I recommend 4 to 5 layers. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project post a pic over on our Facebook page so we can see how it came out.. happy trails

[@starviolet6402]

So you didn’t sand the cracked areas? You just spray painted over? Thanks

[@mikeh8129]

I did this a few years ago and over time the cracks came right through the paint.

[@3tailsRV]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Still much cheaper to do it every few year then it is to put on new ones

[@alongthewayjj]

Looks great guys! We may have to do that on our old girl.

[@3tailsRV]

You should! it makes it look a few years younger. HAve fun and send me a pic when your done. tank care Jay N jazz

[@maximusreed]

Should light sand the vinyl first I would have thought ?

[@pealingout3715]

So how is the spray paint holding up now that some time has past? We have a 2000 hurricane class a with horrible stripes trying to decide to take them off or paint over. Thanks for a great video

[@3tailsRV]

Thank for stopping over and leaving a comment. Video coming soon

[@pealingout3715]

Well I am starting mine today, a answer like " great video coming soon or not great video coming soon " would have been helpful, not knocking you just worried that it will oxidized and look worse in a year

[@3tailsRV]

I just started filming the follow up video today. Our looks just as good as it did the day we did ours. Here is a helpful tip let I set for a week and then wax you trailer. Thanks again for watching and good luck with the project

[@granniesroadtrekking9220]

Awesome video Aron. What type of paint did ya use? Is it the kind one uses for auto’s or the type one uses to spray outdoor furniture? Happy Safe Trekking

[@sakostwwy1903]

Grannies Road Trekking I was just going to ask the same thing!!

[@3tailsRV]

+Grannies Road Trekking information is in the video at marker 2:30

[@granniesroadtrekking9220]

Aron Jemison only thing I read is RV decal painting? So that’s the type of spray can paint?

[@3tailsRV]

kit.com/arjemison/how-to-paint-the-vinyl-decals-on-your-rv

[@3tailsRV]

@@granniesroadtrekking9220 that information is cover in the video at timestamp 2:30

[@akpd1]

On a side note, I would go to an auto body supply store & purchase some wax & grease remover to clean the decals before painting. Silicon & paint do not work well together.

[@3tailsRV]

We wiped them down using TSP. Professional painters use it prior to paining walls

[@adsanti130]

I thought you needed to sand it first? Any update? How long did it last? Thanks

[@3tailsRV]

It has been there over a year. I made a second video and it is in the description of this video

[@Kubanb3]

Hi! I have a 1993 Eddie who has been discontinued si se 1996, and the Eddie sign is barely visible. CAn you give me a tip on how I can bring it back to life?

[@3tailsRV]

See if there is a local Sign making company that can make them for you

[@lindacluney446]

Do yoi need to do this in the shade? Under certain tempertatures?

[@3tailsRV]

first off thanks for watching. We completed this on a cool day with little to no wind. I would not attempt this if temperatures were any warmer them 80 - 90 degrees

[@mattjordan1626]

How did the color hold up to washing and waxing?

[@3tailsRV]

Funny you should ask.. I did another video a year after -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpyTkKOBm9-gadk

[@ngasalon]

You had a bottle of what ? you used to wiped down the surface before painting ? Was it acetone based ?

[@3tailsRV]

Ngasalon first thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. We used TSP after washing the RV.

[@ngasalon]

@@3tailsRV thanks. Really enjoy the videos. Just had a grey water tank bust on my montana. Debating running hard line to drain due to expensive cost of new tank and labor. Plan on trading in at end of year. Have drain open now and gorilla tape seems to be working great so far. 12 inch crack on btm of tank away from hole. If you have any great ideas would love to hear back. Thanks

[@3tailsRV]

@@ngasalon WOW sorry to hear about the tank. I would look on the Tube and check out some rv tank repair videos.

[@johnwren3976]

No acetone! Too harsh of a paint remover. 3M wax remover or dampen a rag with mineral spirits

[@bobr6078]

Like to ask how the paint is holding up. any regrets in the process or the outcome

[@3tailsRV]

It has almost been a year and it still looks great!! NO REGRETS!! Thanks for watching the video and leaving a comment!

[@paralifetv-youreverydaywhe8314]

Yes SHAKE the can!

[@3tailsRV]

yah baby

[@williamklein6749]

Was the satin enough gloss?

[@3tailsRV]

+William Klein yea More then Enough

[@steves3688]

Hello. Ive been trying to decide how to approach my cracking decals - Im pretty much leaning towards paint also.I saw that on some of your decals the decal was cracking - mine are heavily cracked. Did you sand them down at all? If not, how did the paint finish come out over the cracked portions? Not sure I want to go thru the sanding process if they turn out okay without sanding.... Thanks.

[@3tailsRV]

Steve first off thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a great comment. to answer your question no I did not sand them and the more layers of paint that you add will fill in the cracks we found that 4 to 5 layers was sufficient in filling the cracks. Hope that answers your question? What brand of RV are you painting?

[@steves3688]

@@3tailsRV Thanks for the reply...that helps a lot..we are painting a 2009 coachmen class c...just the upper decals are an issue but trying to find a color that works with the colors of the good decals was the fun part...lol...I think I did find some krylon that you used that is close enough...its the same formula krylon just a diff color...

[@3tailsRV]

We got our at Lowes there is a good variety of colors to choose from. our 34 footer took a few days to do have fun!

[@frankjacoby9460]

Why didn’t you sand the surface to give the paint a bite?

[@3tailsRV]

We did not scrub them fist because the paint we used I was made for plastics application

[@joesprouse1922]

I did this last Jan 2020. Had cracks and peeling in June.

[@3tailsRV]

Did you apply a wax coating over the top of it?

[@dblink12]

@@3tailsRV what brand product do you recommend for the wax coating?

[@3tailsRV]

Depends on how old your RV is

[@dblink12]

@@3tailsRV 2012

[@aaronnicholas8893]

How long did it take

[@3tailsRV]

took us about a week to do the whole RV. Hope that helps. Check out our video of how the vinyl looks after one year..

[@mytube-vm3ft]

Don't you need to clear coat after you paint it?

[@3tailsRV]

No we just waxed over it after 2 weeks

[@tappgrease]

At 4:07 I saw your dog in the window looking kinda eager to help, why didn't you let him?

[@3tailsRV]

If he would stay and help then I would let him

[@CamperGirl03]

Shake the can! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@3tailsRV]

+suebee1486 you can never get enough of it 😝

[@sanjosejeff]

No clear coat??

[@3tailsRV]

waxed over it. and it has been holding up fine. Watch the other video after 1 year and see for yourself how it has been holding up..

[@bulletsonofagun7413]

What is TSP?

[@3tailsRV]

Looking in the description

[@dudley32]

You washed the RV and then used TSP...what is TSP please?

[@3tailsRV]

Trisodium phosphate, or TSP, is an exceptional cleaner for an array of uses including removing grease and paint from concrete and brick, prepping walls for painting and preparing walls for wallpapering.

[@dudley32]

@@3tailsRV thanks!!

[@jonvegas7202]

You didn't show finished product

[@josephmyers1492]

What ??? No close ups of the finished product.............hhmmm.

[@3tailsRV]

Check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpyTkKOBm9-gadk

[@mikeh8129]

I did this a few years ago and over time the cracks came right through the paint.

[@3tailsRV]

They have been on my RV for almost a year and they still look great. I do wax my rig twice a year to help keep them looking there best!. Thanks for leaving a comment

[@976charlie9]

Mike H Fill with automotive glaze first.