How to Restore Cracking RV Graphics

by Ron
(Black Hills)

How to Restore Cracking RV Graphics

How to Restore Cracking RV Graphics

This story was submitted on our RVing Tips And Tricks Page.

I own a late 2000's Fleetwood with large graphics and naturally have cracks in them on one side of the coach. I had a couple of options, live with it, remove them all and leave it at that, remove and replace, where I would get replacements is tricky or paint over the old graphics and still see the cracks in the old vinyl.

I tried a combination and really like the results and if I ever want to remove them, still have that option. I found suitable colors in rattle cans, masked around the old graphics, cleaned all the cracks and vinyl with solvent and before applying the paint, sprayed on a light coat of rubberized, paintable undercoating.

Once finished, the graphic has a slight texture and the undercoating filled in the cracks. I like the look and result, might want to give it a try.

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starstarstarstarstar 		Cracking RV Graphics
by: Dave

I used Electrical tape it was great for the curves in the graphics works awesome, and it’s cheap.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Curved graphics
by: Anonymous


vinyl striping tape

For curved graphics, start with a narrow tape, like quarter inch, it's easier to bend. I use vinyl striping tape, a little more money but has lots of upside.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		pictures please
by: Anonymous

WOULD LOVE TO SEE BEFORE AND AFTER PICS :)
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Curving Tape
by: Tamra

For taping off your graphics, there is stretchy tape for curves for artists. I can't think of the name right now, but I bet if you googled it, you would find it. It also comes in different sizes. It's kind of expensive, but worth it for something like this. Here is the website I buy it from - 3 different sizes!

http://creativeartslifestyle.com/all-products/stretchy-tape-3-4/

Good luck!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dealing with Curve Graphics
by: Desert Rat

The initial recommendation for painting over damaged graphics should work for curved graphics and "swirls", it just takes more effort to mask them off. If you're replacing stripes that curve, you should be able to very gently warm the striping tape with a hair dryer and stretch it around the curve to match the original stripe.

Desert Rat is the author of http://rvsandohvs.blogspot.com/, in which he provides information about a lot of RV and OHV topics.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Cracking RV graphics
by: Anonymous

Thank you for addressing this issue. I've been wanting to redo my rv but my graphics are curved. Any ideas for that?

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