Decals
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Kdc
chalkywhite
Mel C
Paulmold
Slaphead
groundhog
IanH
rgermain
kaspian
Kingham
Milvus
Corgi
16 posters
The Auto-Sleeper Motorhome Owners Forum (ASOF) :: Auto-Sleeper Motorhome Forums :: Auto-Sleeper "Van Conversions" Forum
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Decals
Does anyone have advice / tips on bringing the Decals on my Kingham back to life, they are so dull that they spoil the appearance of the van
Thanks in anticipation
Trevor
Thanks in anticipation
Trevor
Corgi- Member
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Posts : 22
Joined : 2018-08-26
Location : essex
Auto-Sleeper Model : kingham
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
I posed this very question a short time ago. There was one response who had success with Fenwicks Black streak remover. I’ve purchased a product myself, which hasn’t arrived yet. It’s called Chemical Guys Wrap Detailer Gloss Enhancer & Protectant. I’ll report back when I’ve tried it,
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Milvus
Milvus- Member
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Posts : 416
Joined : 2011-11-17
Member Age : 62
Location : Cymru
Auto-Sleeper Model : Bourton
Vehicle Year : 2018
Re: Decals
Unfortunately I can’t help with your request to bring them back to life, but just to let you know that you’re not alone.
Mine faded and also shrunk ! They’re paper thin and absolute rubbish. My dealership agreed with me and tried to get a replacement set under warranty from AutoSleeper, only to be told that they are not a warranty item.
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Mine faded and also shrunk ! They’re paper thin and absolute rubbish. My dealership agreed with me and tried to get a replacement set under warranty from AutoSleeper, only to be told that they are not a warranty item.
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2009-Bessacarr E769 2012-Swift Bolero 712FB 2017-Auto-Sleeper Kingham
Kingham- Donator
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Posts : 1417
Joined : 2015-08-28
Member Age : 62
Location : Kirkcudbright
Auto-Sleeper Model : Kingham
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Personally cant wait for your experiences Milvus! Our Warwick xl 2o17 came with all decals looking sorry for themselves. I thought they had perhaps been cleaned with strong traffic film remover as part of dealers van prep as they exhibit vertical streaks which look like water marks and general dullness.
I have tried my usual favourite waxes/ polishes which bring them back to life for a day or two but they soon revert back . Silicon lubricant worked for a week or two but then faded again.
I have never suffered any issues with decals on a motorhome in the past and can only assume that the decals used by A/s around 2017 are just not up to the task. Going from past experience with A/s in the case of internal locker film peeling I suppose they will run for the hills if we dare mention this to them !
I have tried my usual favourite waxes/ polishes which bring them back to life for a day or two but they soon revert back . Silicon lubricant worked for a week or two but then faded again.
I have never suffered any issues with decals on a motorhome in the past and can only assume that the decals used by A/s around 2017 are just not up to the task. Going from past experience with A/s in the case of internal locker film peeling I suppose they will run for the hills if we dare mention this to them !
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Hope your Crit'Air certificate does not fade until we get back to using it, mines ok for now.Kingham wrote:Unfortunately I can’t help with your request to bring them back to life, but just to let you know that you’re not alone.
Mine faded and also shrunk ! They’re paper thin and absolute rubbish. My dealership agreed with me and tried to get a replacement set under warranty from AutoSleeper, only to be told that they are not a warranty item.
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Richard
rgermain- Donator
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Posts : 3635
Joined : 2013-11-21
Member Age : 77
Location : Havant
Auto-Sleeper Model : Warwick duo
Vehicle Year : 2015
Re: Decals
That's the look Kingham! No peeling on mine yet but how A/s as a business professing themselves as a marque of quality can be happy seeing their Van's being driven around looking decidedly tatty defies logic! They will be buying in decals in bulk for pennies compared to the overall van cost.
They should man up , replace decals on Vans with issues and TAKE IT UP WITH THEIR SUPPLIERS! Time and time again they show contempt for their loyal customers while burying their heads in the sand. Bet you they profess to deny having ever even heard of the issue........
They should man up , replace decals on Vans with issues and TAKE IT UP WITH THEIR SUPPLIERS! Time and time again they show contempt for their loyal customers while burying their heads in the sand. Bet you they profess to deny having ever even heard of the issue........
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Best to go to a vinyl signs company. I had a minor scratch on my previous MH and went to my local paint guy who looks after my vehicles. He told me he'd have to respray more or less the whole side to guarantee a colour match and my van wouldn't fit in his spray booth anyway. He sent me off to a vinyl graphics company just across the road the guy in there designed then made the graphics for me, they can usually copy from what is there accurately Sorry re the repeat pics, don't know how to fix that!!! Total cost £50 btw
IanH
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IanH
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IanH- Donator
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Posts : 8311
Joined : 2020-05-04
Location : NORTH WALSHAM
Auto-Sleeper Model : Executive
Vehicle Year : 2002
Re: Decals
Exactly what Ian has posted, get a new set from a vinyl sign company, it is a common problem on yachts as well, If I recall the last set I bought for a 32 foot yacht were less than £100 and transformed the look of it. They should be able to copy what you have or why not give it a little personal twist?
groundhog- Donator
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Joined : 2011-08-01
Location : Poldarkland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Worcester
Re: Decals
Thanks Groundhog
I was thinking about this earlier in my thinking chair in the workshop (probably the most dangerous place on the planet!!) and though, get the graphics guy to add to your new graphic in one corner, a very small postcode, yours, almost so small you need a magnifying glass to see it, you then have traceability of your vehicle should it be stolen
Free option!!!
IanH
I was thinking about this earlier in my thinking chair in the workshop (probably the most dangerous place on the planet!!) and though, get the graphics guy to add to your new graphic in one corner, a very small postcode, yours, almost so small you need a magnifying glass to see it, you then have traceability of your vehicle should it be stolen
Free option!!!
IanH
IanH- Donator
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Posts : 8311
Joined : 2020-05-04
Location : NORTH WALSHAM
Auto-Sleeper Model : Executive
Vehicle Year : 2002
Re: Decals
My Medallion has a huge code number on the roof in bright red. It was on it when I bought it. I presume the code number is logged with someone or is so that a poice helicopter could spot it.IanH wrote:Thanks Groundhog
I was thinking about this earlier in my thinking chair in the workshop (probably the most dangerous place on the planet!!) and though, get the graphics guy to add to your new graphic in one corner, a very small postcode, yours, almost so small you need a magnifying glass to see it, you then have traceability of your vehicle should it be stolen
Free option!!!
IanH
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Dave C.
Slaphead- Donator
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Posts : 443
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Location : Dollar, Scotland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Ex Medallion (Merc)
Vehicle Year : 1999
Re: Decals
Our sons Laika has that too, he has no idea why either
groundhog- Donator
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Location : Poldarkland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Worcester
Re: Decals
Thanks to all for your replies, its just a shame that my otherwise gleaming van looks shabby because of the poor quality decals.
I await with bated breath to see if Milvus has any success.
I await with bated breath to see if Milvus has any success.
Corgi- Member
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Posts : 22
Joined : 2018-08-26
Location : essex
Auto-Sleeper Model : kingham
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Mine always has our postcode on the roof in very large letters. This allows the police from motorway bridges to see the roof and then apprehend the robbers, biggest possible if you want to copy.
Dont get mad, get even!!!!!
Dont get mad, get even!!!!!
IanH- Donator
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Posts : 8311
Joined : 2020-05-04
Location : NORTH WALSHAM
Auto-Sleeper Model : Executive
Vehicle Year : 2002
Re: Decals
Tried several compounds from my garage today from rubber restorer to Bilt Hamber speed wax. All restored the decals back to deep rich colour. I shall monitor them over the next few weeks and report back if any prove to be a lasting solution.
This is the first van I have owned that has suffered this type of degradation, especially at only 3 years old.
Even our first small caravan which was around 20 years old had decals that were as bright as the day applied and only cared for by a couple of applications of wax per year. No doubt more penny pinching on materials and we are left to pick up the pieces.
This is the first van I have owned that has suffered this type of degradation, especially at only 3 years old.
Even our first small caravan which was around 20 years old had decals that were as bright as the day applied and only cared for by a couple of applications of wax per year. No doubt more penny pinching on materials and we are left to pick up the pieces.
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Having googled the problem and found lots of suggestions on US forums and YouTube etc, it would appear the worst are silver/metallic grey decals. Certainly not only an AS problem, many complaints on Autotrail vans with similar colour decals.
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Paulmold- Donator
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Location : North East Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Sussex Duo
Vehicle Year : 2010
Re: Decals
Funnily enough Paul last 3 Vans had silver/wine and silver /green without issue. Will have a look as you suggest but it seems to affect the brown colour the worst.
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
During my googling, one product regularly came up amongst the RV community but unfortunately not available in UK....
McKees graphic and decal restorer.
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McKees graphic and decal restorer.
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Nice to be important but more important to be nice
Paulmold- Donator
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Posts : 26582
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Member Age : 73
Location : North East Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Sussex Duo
Vehicle Year : 2010
Re: Decals
My order has now been despatched, so I should get it in a few days. Hopefully will update on this product soon, which I bought from Euro Car Parts :
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Milvus
Milvus- Member
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Posts : 416
Joined : 2011-11-17
Member Age : 62
Location : Cymru
Auto-Sleeper Model : Bourton
Vehicle Year : 2018
Re: Decals
A lot of these products are designed to protect vinyl decals and will allegedly in some cases put a uv layer on to stop them fading.
Problem is of course if they are faded or cracked before you begin the process. once they are gone they are gone and no amount of snake oil will bring them back.
The same with black and mouldy silicone, it can be improved but the only 100% way of repairing it is to replace it.
It must be worth taking a van to the local graphics company for a quote, nothing to lose surely?
Problem is of course if they are faded or cracked before you begin the process. once they are gone they are gone and no amount of snake oil will bring them back.
The same with black and mouldy silicone, it can be improved but the only 100% way of repairing it is to replace it.
It must be worth taking a van to the local graphics company for a quote, nothing to lose surely?
groundhog- Donator
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Joined : 2011-08-01
Location : Poldarkland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Worcester
Re: Decals
I have used chemical guys products and rate them highly, never tried this stuff so interesting to hear the results.Milvus wrote:My order has now been despatched, so I should get it in a few days. Hopefully will update on this product soon, which I bought from Euro Car Parts :
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groundhog- Donator
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Joined : 2011-08-01
Location : Poldarkland
Auto-Sleeper Model : Worcester
Re: Decals
The Chemical Guys product arrived today, for which I had high hopes. This is a product that will perform well on new vinyl and decals. As mentioned above, it’ll certainly protect and from UV, but it won’t restore. Ours are not that old, and in parts the decals responded well. However, where there are the usual roof runoff marks, and some light oxidisation, It didn’t touch it. For anything other than new or nearly new decals, I personally wouldn’t recommend it.
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Milvus
Milvus- Member
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Posts : 416
Joined : 2011-11-17
Member Age : 62
Location : Cymru
Auto-Sleeper Model : Bourton
Vehicle Year : 2018
Re: Decals
We had similar issue with graphics on our Kingham, we use Auto Glyn Bumper and Trim Gel, just wipe over once a month keeps them as good as new.
Mel C- Member
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Posts : 108
Joined : 2018-01-27
Location : New Quay Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Kingham
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Likewise Milvus I tried various cans lying around the garage and the Gummi pflege and others I tested died a death in a couple of days . Looked Ok after application but returned to that beautifully stained dullness. The Bilt Hamber speed wax restored to a deep rich colour and still looks ok but at 2 days since application they should do! Real Test will be after / if we ever get any rain!
It is definitely a quality issue as the decals on our Kemerton from 2014 looked 100% as new when we traded it in. This van is under half that age and probably been faded for some time. I tried a light restorative polish on one section and it did not leave colour on the cloth so it does appear that it is not just oxidised inks on the surface of the decal.
It is definitely a quality issue as the decals on our Kemerton from 2014 looked 100% as new when we traded it in. This van is under half that age and probably been faded for some time. I tried a light restorative polish on one section and it did not leave colour on the cloth so it does appear that it is not just oxidised inks on the surface of the decal.
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Oh well back to the drawing board thanks Milvus for your report and everyone who responded.
Van is due for its Hab check at AS Willersey in September I will raise the issue with them again.
Cheers
Van is due for its Hab check at AS Willersey in September I will raise the issue with them again.
Cheers
Corgi- Member
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Posts : 22
Joined : 2018-08-26
Location : essex
Auto-Sleeper Model : kingham
Vehicle Year : 2017
Re: Decals
Corgi, I will persevere with the BH wax and give it a chance to see how long it lasts and report back. You may wish to check out 303 aerospace protectant. My friend swears by it on his boat. It dries non greasy and restores plastics, decals , pvc covers and sail bags etc in a marine environment so looks a possibility. Hopefully will get some easing of lockdown soon and I will borrow some from him to experiment with!
kaspian- Member
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Posts : 1372
Joined : 2015-09-27
Member Age : 64
Location : ayrshire - Burns country
Auto-Sleeper Model : WARWICK XL
Vehicle Year : 2017
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