2016 Montana defective decals

[Hedgehog]

After contacting keystone and being denied my warrantee claim, I need advice on what I can do to repair the decals on my 2016 Montana 3160rl. The stripes on the front left corner have permanent water stains while the door side stripes clean up. I was within my warranty but I guess keystone just doesn't care about repeat customers. Does anyone know what I can use to clean these stripes? I have never used anything but water and a brush to clean to roof so it's now a chemical that I used.

[pkbridges77]

Can't give advice but this is sad. Some things I don't understand: Montana and their peeling decals, Ford Explorers and their cracked liftgates, GM trucks and their one-eyed daytime driving lights and tailgate latches. I would think that reputation would be more important to manufacturers, but I guess they are not hungry enough. There are still a few out there, but seemingly very few. I understand Mr. Tiffin will fix anything on his motor homes within reason because his name is on it.

[BB_TX]

I don't remember anyone reporting water stains on their decals before. Cracking and peeling, sure. But that is a new one, at least to me. Don't know of any further options you might have. But would be interested in seeing pictures of the problem areas in case others have the same problem.

[HOOK]

Never heard of this before.

[bigskyjimmy]

yep that is a new one for sure especially the new redesigned ones starting in 2014 or so which are of MUCH better quality

[jameswbarton]

My 2016 HC lower panels with dark meatalflake decals showed water stains. Luckily I had purchased a paint and decal protection package. After the dealer refused to warranty them I put in a verbal claim to the warranty company. The dealer called me back and changed their position on fixing the decals which they did. I guess I got lucky.

[Hedgehog]

how do I attach photos?
Keystone customer service is saying it's an environmental problem and not a defect. I ask them how the water stains clean off the gel coat and the door side stripes but not he off door side stripes? I explained to them that this is my second Montana and I currently have a friend in the market for one that's waiting to see how my outcome is before he buys there product. I also explained to them that I had several defects upon delivery that the repair would open up a can of worms so I didn't push to have them repaired such as one of the rear ladder standoff's was mounted crooked. Since I have the legacy package, it would require re drilling the rear cap. They didn't care so I guess this will be my last Montana and I'll help my friend find a different fifthwheel.

[1retired06]

Like others, one I had never heard of happening.

[jameswbarton]

Maybe they changed Decal suppliers in 2016? They sure do water spot easily on the dark ones on my HC 375 FL. I have given up on my remaining warranty issues and taken to fixing them myself after multiple attempts of dealers to fix them.

[richfaa]

Never heard of that one. The decals on our 2006 3400 Montana looked good for 5 years then began to crack and peel. By year 7 they were falling off the RV. keystone had sent me some replacement decals from the same manufacturer .I took them to our Local decal shop that specializes in marine graphics being near Lake Erie and they said they were graphics that could be expected to last 5 to 7 years under normal conditions. Really goodset of graphics were way out of my price range. Don't have many graphics on this 13 3402 Big Sky but after nearly 4 years they are holding up well.

[hybridhauler]

If the staining is caused by hard water deposits, there is a chance that they can be removed with CLR. Another option is to use a non abrasive water spot remover that can be found at Autogeek.net. The key to removing them is not to use any type of abrasive product on them. This will increase the chances of removing the coloring from the decal. As always, test it while the area is shaded and always try it on a small area first.
I have had success removing stubborn water spots in the past using both methods.

[Phil P]

quote:Originally posted by Hedgehog


They didn't care so I guess this will be my last Montana and I'll help my friend find a different fifthwheel.

That’s good advice Keystone hung me for $20,000 worth of repairs that were reported to them before the warranty ran out.

Keystone customer disservice lied to me again as recent as the first of this month.

I will never own another Thor product.

Phil P

[BiigDaddy]

You could try white vinegar. My Silverado was delivered with some hard water spots and I had them send it to the detailer of my choice. The owner of the detail shop used white vinegar to remove a lot of my spots on my plastics with great success. Good luck!!

[hoserwv]

My decals are doing the same exact thing. Also early 2016.

[Hedgehog]

I tried the white vinegar, it didn't work

[Hedgehog]

After talking to keystone again today, they are flat out refusing to fix any of my issues with the striping under warranty. They said it is environmental. Is asked, if it environmental, how come it is only on one side? Is the environment different eight feet away? I am all done with keystone after this treatment.

[richfaa]

Go to owner relations with the issue.

[chris199]

Were pics ever posted? Never heard of this issue before

[Hedgehog]

I am using a iPad. I can't figure out how to post pics. I tried copy and paste but it doesn't let me.