Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

Hi. In years gone by I would protect pinstripes and stick on badges with good old Simoniz polish. I am in the process of applying decals to Pint Pot and have been given various suggestions for protecting them. Some of the vinyls are very thin with very fine details whereas some of my own hand made decals are from thicker stock. Suggestions vary from spraying lacquer over them to applying clear stonechip film. Has anybody got any experience of this or got tips?
1633264872178.jpg
1633264835535.jpg
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

The next decals to go on are 4ft long forest/mountain scenes. I have bought 2 sets - one in green for the trees and one in silver for the mountains. I plan to cut them into 3 sections and apply them along the broad swage panel that starts at the rear light and goes forward to the door.
1633266510295.jpg
I also plan to cut out an orange Sun to add to the decal between the trees and the first mountain to tie in with the suns I added to the Duck graphics. They also came in only one colour and I replaced the sun part.

1633266510307.jpg
The steel wheels were replaced with 15" old style BMW 5 series alloys and painted Citroen Shark. 1/2" wider rim. Run well on the road too with no adverse effects on the steering or feel.
1633266510366.jpg
1633266510352.jpg
I resisted the temptation to go mega wide 17" plus - I think they just look stupid. Plus I got to use the proper original (heavy duty) tyres.
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Donor 2024
Posts: 13520
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
Location: Hertford
My Cars: 70+ former cars (list available) including 11 Citroens, 3 Renaults
Current cars: 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SEn, 1994 Mazda MX3
x 6010

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by mickthemaverick »

I don't know if this is of any help but this is how I used to do the decals on my rally cars:

1) Clean the area with sugar soap
2) Lightly rub down with 3000 grit wet and dry
3) Clean with alcohol and then tack cloth
4) Apply decal by removing the backing as you go then smooth with fine water spray and squeegee
5) Leave to set for 36-48 hours under appropriate weather protection (a lightweight poly sheet in my case)
6) Wipe over with very soft cloth
7) Apply 3 coats of clear laquer as normal painting.

I found the decals often stronger than the plastic trim when ditches used to suck me in etc!! :-D
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

I can agree with the ditches bit - it is amazing what survives a good ditch hooking. And always on the navigator's side. Usually a bit more terminal if it happens on the driver's side.
I am inclined to the lacquer bit for the bonnet but I will wait and see what others come away with.
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

Just to keep the rest of you interested, what is missing from the BMW alloys now?
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24561
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Dormouse wrote: 03 Oct 2021, 15:40 Just to keep the rest of you interested, what is missing from the BMW alloys now?
Looks like someone may have ground off the "BMW" before the ID number
temp2.png
Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

No flies on you then! Just all over our kitchen. Attacked the offending Letters with a Dremel and finally ended up with these.
Attachments
1633284174511.jpg
1633284174522.jpg
1633284174535.jpg
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Donor 2024
Posts: 13520
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
Location: Hertford
My Cars: 70+ former cars (list available) including 11 Citroens, 3 Renaults
Current cars: 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SEn, 1994 Mazda MX3
x 6010

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by mickthemaverick »

That has to be one of the best uses anyone has ever put a dremel to!!! Well done that man! :-D
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by white exec »

When misting the vehicle panel with water (before applying the adhesive vinyl), add a few drops of washing up liquid to the water bottle. This will lower the surface tension, and allow the vinyl to be slid into position easier.
When in place, squeegee out with the plastic 'scraper'.
Chris
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

Does anybody out there have any experience of using these products or similar ones and could they seal vinyl decals.
Attachments
1633420181805.jpg
1633420181818.jpg
1633420181843.jpg
1633420181830.jpg
User avatar
old'uns
Posts: 558
Joined: 06 Mar 2010, 20:21
Location: Cannock / 72800 sarthe
My Cars: '02 C5 - gone
'09 X7 - gone
CMax - X7 replacement - gone
Acadiane - lost to a V5c applicant
'06 C5 VTR auto est
'90 Honda Beat
'73 ST70 Dax
'75 ST Dax - 120 powered
x 127

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by old'uns »

Your biggest issue will be fade from the Sun, the cheaper the vinyl the quicker the fade.
Red, Orange are usually the worst.
Also lower grade vinyl ie 2-3, 3-5 yrs etc will shrink faster and start leaving a dark outline where the glue was
currently '06 C5 2.0 HDi auto estate Tip run and France trekker - well should be!! occupied currently by '10 Superb DSG 170 elegance- whistles and bells that work
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

Hence the reason I want to protect the decals as much as possible. You are right, UV is a killer and different grades of vinyl last longer than others. I just want to give them a fighting chance of surviving.
User avatar
old'uns
Posts: 558
Joined: 06 Mar 2010, 20:21
Location: Cannock / 72800 sarthe
My Cars: '02 C5 - gone
'09 X7 - gone
CMax - X7 replacement - gone
Acadiane - lost to a V5c applicant
'06 C5 VTR auto est
'90 Honda Beat
'73 ST70 Dax
'75 ST Dax - 120 powered
x 127

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by old'uns »

I have never needed to use a Polish, film etc as longevity was detrimental to my work ie doing myself out of it.... Warranty until the Cheque cleared 😁
Whatever you use it needs to be top quality.... Good luck finding it.
currently '06 C5 2.0 HDi auto estate Tip run and France trekker - well should be!! occupied currently by '10 Superb DSG 170 elegance- whistles and bells that work
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by Dormouse »

Have this mental image of you sitting, arms folded and grinning ear to ear! How did/do you get on with your Dax's?
User avatar
old'uns
Posts: 558
Joined: 06 Mar 2010, 20:21
Location: Cannock / 72800 sarthe
My Cars: '02 C5 - gone
'09 X7 - gone
CMax - X7 replacement - gone
Acadiane - lost to a V5c applicant
'06 C5 VTR auto est
'90 Honda Beat
'73 ST70 Dax
'75 ST Dax - 120 powered
x 127

Re: Protecting Vinyl Decals for caravans and motorhomes

Post by old'uns »

Currently sat at the back of the garage as they were 4-5 yrs ago 🙄
One day.....
currently '06 C5 2.0 HDi auto estate Tip run and France trekker - well should be!! occupied currently by '10 Superb DSG 170 elegance- whistles and bells that work
Post Reply