New graphics

[jerdog]

Originally Posted by bucko

When doing large graphics such as the ones in this thread, did you use the "wet" method, meaning you wet the surface or back of the viynl, then squeegied the water out, or are you able to apply a large vinyl dry?

The back graphic was applied dry. It was printed on 3M wrap media and being on a flat surface, no liquid was necessary. The side vinyl was also 3M high performance cut vinyl and I used some spray liquid to apply those. The stuff I like to use is a product called "Rapid Tack" and is available through signs and graphic suppliers.

[videoguy]

How difficult was it to remove the old graphics? Did you just heat them up with a hairdryer or something and simply peel them off?

Looks great!

[Bobalink]

how do you remove the old graphics ? thanks
09 Designer 35 RLTS 5 vr

[Paintinfool3]

well it depends on how weathered they are but I would use a heat gun .... be careful how hot you get them though because the heat guns can get to 1500 degrees .... start if you can at a tip of the graphic and work slowly with the heat gun around the surface area as you pull on the graphic ..... after removed you can usually get the rest of the adhesive off with wax and grease remover .... that's what I use anyway and sometimes if you have a plastic scraper that helps too .... decals that have split and cracked up are somewhat harder to remove .... patience is key

[jerdog]

Originally Posted by Bobalink

how do you remove the old graphics ? thanks
09 Designer 35 RLTS 5 vr

Usually when the old graphics are 5 years old or newer, using heat works ok but sometimes the glue that is left needs to be removed with an adhesive remover. I've found that mineral spirits (paint thinner) works sometimes.
In the case of this trailer, the graphics were 14 years old and baked on so the only way I was able to remove them was very carefully with a razor scraper.
Being gel coat, it was a little easier but time consuming. Even after buffing, the ghost of the old graphics still shows slightly.

[Jim-n-Ash]

Great! We don't like the new 2016 color scheme - black and white and grey, rather than the browns and blacks and tans - and are considering doing the same sort of thing. Glad to see someone else has done it too. (We are not professionals, so will have to hire it done.)

[jerdog]

The completed graphics package. Now to find the next project!