Decals Wax On, Wax Off?

[Captain Joe]

As stated in a thread, I have been using Meguiars RV and Boat products for many years on my RVs and boats. Specifically, I use #50 Cleaner and Polish followed by #45, Polish, and then #56, Pure Wax. It bad areas I either use #49 (Oxidation Remover) or #44 (Color Restorer). These products have worked great for me over the years.

I have used these products (except the #49 and #44) on all of my decals. Being a professional fishing guide, I have quite a few sponsor decals on my boat and the wax has never hurt them.

Recently, I have read on this forum that Burlington Graphics does not recommend waxing their decals.

What have you been told by Burlington and Keystone about this issue? Did this issue come up at the Rally's and what was said? This Spring, I will be waxing my new Monty for the first time and I want to get it right.

Thanks in advance for your responses, comments, and suggestions.

[dieselguy]

It's been gernerally relayed to several of us not to wax the vinyl decals with a wax that contains petroleum distillates which unfortunatelly is about any wax on the market. Some of us use Aerospace 303 instead.

[drsmart]

Sorry I didn't get this from Burlington or Keystone but, after using polish and seeing the graphics deteriorate on our previous fiver, I'm using the same method as dieselguy mentioned on our Monty. I feel confident that 303 will only offer protection to the graphics and not cause any harm. It's a bit of a pain to wax around the decals but a much bigger PITA to have to remove and replace them later.

Dave

[The Weekenders]

Next month will be 4th year waxing my decals with Meguires no. 56. No issues and I believe it protects them. JMO

[tanner1070]

I have read all of Burlington's and Keystone's warning about waxing the decals and it really doesn't make that much sense to me.

The main problem with the decals is they start to deteriorate and peel along their edges. Well, even if you don't wax your deacals, you certainly can not completely prevent the wax getting on the edges of the decals. So frankly, if you can't prevent the wax getting on the edges where the bulk of the damage happens, then why worry about getting wax on the rest of the decal that doesn't usually show any problems?

I can't imagine anyone waxing their Monty so precisely that they don't get any wax on the decal. I have even discussed this problem with a few professional detailers and they confirmed that is impossible not to get wax on the decal.

I think it is really Burlington's and Keystone's disclaimer in order to not replace the decals if they choose not to.

One would think that the RV industry could come up with a wax compatable decal. I bet there is one, but cost savings probalby drive them to this decal product. You know...similar to the tire choice Keysonte makes.

[racerjoe]

I think it is just a c,y,a, excuse by the companies. Our 2005 Montana has had the graphics peeling since the first two years, and I will say it, I have not waxed it. except for washing with rv soap. So they can tell you whatever you need to hear to leave them alone.
That's what I like about this site,it brings many things to the forefront and I believe in time the manufacturers look and finally listen to make improvements. Just look at another post about the possibility that they are starting to use LEDS for some lighting. slow but sure progress.

[HOOK]

Well I think it is anybodys guess. As mentioned here, oxidation is the enemy. The graphics, decals, begin to release at the edges. That appears to me to be the closest area to the oxidation. It appears to me if the oxidation is stopped, maybe the release may also be stopped. Being around an RV dealer alot has allowed me to see both maintained and mistreated units. To my experience the best results I have seen came from products that stop oxidation, like Red Max Pro 3. JMHO Larry

[Champ_49]

Been using Mothers Carnuba Wax for over 15 yrs on race cars (they have a lot of decals on them) on all my RV's decals and the only thing I have had happen is a nice looking rig!! No decals going bad, just a shine. The last two rigs I have traded in the dealers could not believe how good the unit looked for its age. So to me, waxing a decal has no problems.

Oh and even though I am in a SOB now, the 2007 Montana that I owned I did the same thing. Waxed the decals and it looked brand new after 4 yrs!

Dave

[TLightning]

I've been using NuFinish on the gel coat and Protect All on the decals for years, no problems yet. The rig is in a garage when not used, which sure helps.

[richfaa]

We never waxed our decals. We did what Keystone and Burlington Graphics suggested.They shrunk and peeled anyway. Niow it did take 5 years for that to happen.

[sreigle]

Like racerjoe, our 2007 had peeling decals in less than two years, with no waxing. The nose decal was the problem and it was replaced at 22 months. That new decal is now peeling again as are the decals on the bedroom slide and under the bedroom window on the door side. We now have the replacement decals with us but our dealer wants $800 to $1000 to do the replacement. And no rv park we've been will allow that kind of work to be done. So we're shopping for a more reasonable deal on the install.

[1retired06]

Keystone told us no wax. 4th Montana, we use Nu Finish, a polish not wax, and have had no problem with graphics. Key is buffing with the graphic, particularly along the edge of the graphic.

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

We never waxed our decals. We did what Keystone and Burlington Graphics suggested.They shrunk and peeled anyway. Now it did take 5 years for that to happen.

Oh also we have never waxed the 3400..never, Dawn regular only