| vinyl stripe [message #132119] |
Sun, 26 June 2011 16:47  |
jodist
Messages: 30
Registered: April 2011
Location: pottstown,pa
Karma: 0
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Can anyone tell what to use to clean/shine the vinyl stripe on our coachs.
Thank You
John
78 Royale
John Stehle
78 royal by coachman
Pottstown,Pa
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| Re: vinyl stripe [message #132121 is a reply to message #132119] |
Sun, 26 June 2011 17:08  |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Yuengling! It's been making everything (and everyone) look better since 1829!
Actually if the vinyl won't clean up with something mild, it's probably time to replace. Tedious, but not too expensive.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] vinyl stripe [message #132154 is a reply to message #132123] |
Sun, 26 June 2011 21:50 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Mr ERFisher wrote on Sun, 26 June 2011 15:09 |
>>
>> Can anyone tell what to use to clean/shine the vinyl stripe on
>> our coachs.
>>
> Actually if the vinyl won't clean up with something mild, it's
> probably time to replace. Tedious, but not too expensive.
>
this is the best tool for the job
http://goo.gl/Im6E7
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Depends on the type of stripe and it's condition.
Seems there AT LEAST 4 different types of the stick on stripes on our coaches. Plus the ones added over the years.... I am convinced that each has a slightly different "best method" for removal.
Most of the PO applied stripes on my 1973 came off with a pressure washer.... unfortunately where it didn't remove the paint, it left quite a bit of adhesive. It is an OLD, cheap paint job and most of the paint would have started to come off by itself soon anyway.
On the Coachman applied stripes on my 1978 Birchaven.
<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=34935>
I tried the Harbor Fright "Hot Blade Decal Remover" I removed two short pieces that were in the worse condition. (The big stripes at the front corners.) <http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=34949> It worked ok, but was very slow and you needed to really PAY ATTENTION to the ANGLE of the blade or you will scrape of the paint. It left the adhesive residue, just like all the other methods. (see below)
I am just getting done removing the large stripes that run down the sides just above the belt-line. (no pictures yet) I found the best method for these stripes seems to be a hair dryer style heat gun and a PLASTIC razor blade. It doesn't take much to warm the adhesive to where you can get the edge pulled up with the razor blade. (Being plastic, the razor blade will not hurt the paint unless it gets damaged.... like being melted by the heat gun.) As you get enough of an edge to hold, you slowly work the stripe off as you warm up the adhesive. It seemed to be the larger the pieces of stripe, the less adhesive was left behind. ie: When the stripes broke into small pieces, it left LOTS of adhesive to be removed later.
Once I figured out the method, it didn't take very long to remove the large stripes. (I plan of leaving the small stripe... for now.) Some paint did come up, but when looking at the paint near the places, I think the original IMRON painting wasn't so good. With "repaired" paint runs on the rear hatch and areas of paint lifting here and there... If a stripe had been placed over one of these spots... the paint cam off with the stripe. I'll have to figure a plan to deal with these spots.
The adhesive residue, left by all removal methods, seems to give most people problems. All of the adhesive removal products seem to have acetone... like nail polish remover. I found that straight acetone seemed to be the most effective... and was cheaper that the specialty products. It seems to react with the adhesive making the top layer like rubber... that can be rubbed of in pieces like a eraser. I also found when wet with acetone, thick adhesive could be scraped off with the plastic razor blade.
So... alternating a acetone damp rag (paper towel) and the plastic razor blade seem to work well with adhesive from 1978 coachman strips, and the adhesive from some after-market stripes.
Long winded.....
But if you have to remove your stripes, try a few different methods and see what works best for you and your stripes... then let us know the type of stripe, what method and your results.
Why??? I still need to remove the stripes from my 1977. (The yellow paint under them looks much better than the 1978's paint.) It LOOKS like it has "GM applied" front stripes (looking very sun faded and thin) and "Coachman applied" rear stripes made of something different.... <http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37682>
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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