Replacing vinyl trim - Montana Owners Club

kingdaddy · 10-13-2020, 04:38 PM

I wasn't sure which sub forum this would best fit, so I'm posting here hoping for most "exposure" and hoping someone can help.

The vinyl trim strips (which I believe just cover seams and/or screws) have yellowed over the years and look pretty ugly. Seems (no pun intended

) like it should be a pretty easy DIY job, but that doesn't always work out that way as we all know...

All the "how to" videos I have found are for the plasticky stuff that goes inside the metal channel and is a different product.

Can anyone share some info on what this product is and where I can get it? I might need some of the metal channel that it attaches to as well.

Thanks!

DutchmenSport · 10-13-2020, 06:05 PM

If none of the plastic strip is cracked or broken, and still in good shape, other than fading, you can always paint it. Really!

Tape everything off and use Professional Rust-o-lium and spray paint the plastic. It will last for years and years. It might be easier than attempting to replace it, especially if you can't find it.

FYI, I used Professional Rust-o-lium spray on a lot of my plastics on my two previous travel trailers, including the vinyl propane tank covers, and everything came out great and lasted for years. ... This is just an alternative if you can't find anything.

Mikendebbie · 10-13-2020, 06:23 PM

X2 on the paint option. You will be pleased with the results!
On my past RVs I have sprayed many faded plastic pieces with success.

rohrmann · 10-13-2020, 06:28 PM

I think this is the cover material: https://www.trekwood.com/products/10...oors-150-Roll-

And this is the metal trim that it should cover: https://www.trekwood.com/products/24...im-Mill-Finish

I'm not sure, have never removed any of ours, but at a couple areas, the aluminum skirting wasn't fastened high enough and the cover strip comes undone and I have to push it back on. I will probably have to do some work to stop this from happening. That leg on the cover may have to be cut off, but that would be easy.

kingdaddy · 10-13-2020, 08:17 PM

I actually did consider painting it, but wasn't sure about the results. Like any painting project, the outcome will depend largely on the prep (masking) work...
I may give that a try, it would be a lot less work!
Wasn't sure how well the paint would adhere to the vinyl, but it sounds like it worked well enough!
Thanks for the feedback...

jimcol · 10-13-2020, 08:44 PM

This is what I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Pretty easy job. Simplier than masking and painting.

rohrmann · 10-13-2020, 10:26 PM

That isn’t the same vinyl that was in his photo, so won’t work.

twindman · 10-13-2020, 11:10 PM

On my trailer I think it is rubber, not vinyl. And it can be removed pretty easily. You can just kind of pry it off and just sort of peel it off. Also, my dealer either has it or can get it. When I bought my rig, it had sat on the lot in AZ for almost a year. It was yellowed quite a bit and I told them to replace them. Unfortunately they must have had them in full sun and they expanded, because all of them shrunk after a short while and are 1/2 to an inch short.

Anyway, if paint will work, I may try that; but am leery about painting rubber.

jimcol · 10-14-2020, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohrmann

That isn’t the same vinyl that was in his photo, so won’t work.

You are correct Bob, my bad. I have a roll of what he needs but can't find the order info. Thought it came off amazon but order history doesn't show it.

psomers · 10-14-2020, 06:14 AM

This is what you want: https://www.trekwood.com/products/15...ew-Cover-White As you can see it just clamps on. Get at one end and to start and it will just pull off. I replaced all of mine. Once you see how it comes off it's easy. When installing don't try to stretch it. Instead try to compress it and get as much length in as possible as it will shrink.
Almost any good rv store will have this.

RMcNeal · 10-14-2020, 06:49 AM

Rustoleum makes a paint specifically for plastics like the Little Tykes children's toys. That stuff is amazing on plastic. Will last forever. I can't remember the specific name of it, but you should be able to find it in Lowe's or Home Depot.

kingdaddy · 10-14-2020, 01:22 PM

After taking a closer look at it today, I think I will go ahead and replace it. It has some kind of silicone caulking that was applied to some of it and it wasn't done well.
I think I would have a better end result in my case by replacing, although it may be a bit more work (and expense).
I will post some before and after photos so everyone can admire my craftsmanship!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I would love to see some photos of anyone who has done this.
The only Youtube videos I could find were for the vinyl stuff like what jimcol referenced.

kingdaddy · 10-16-2020, 05:53 PM

OK, so today I peeled off a small section of this trim to see what the inside shape is like since there seems to be more than one type.

I have posted a couple of photos just as an FYI for others considering doing this.

The product that rohrmann posted looks like the one I have (and the metal looks to be the same as well). Slightly different shape on one side...
Not saying the other material that psomers linked won't work as well, probably would.

Mine seems to have a different, more gradual radius on one side when installed.
Probably doesn't matter much either way.
As I said I will take some before and after photos; I think this will really help spruce up the old Monty!

That and replacing a badly yellowed vent opening cover for the range hood exhaust.

psomers · 10-17-2020, 05:58 AM

On mine that profile is the trim that is vertical piece between front cap and side wall. The horizontal piece doesn't have that ear sticking out.

daveinaz · 10-17-2020, 07:07 AM

If there’s a Trailer Supply store near you, they carry a lot of stuff like this — and their prices are as good as Amazon.

**Rondo** · 10-17-2020, 09:53 AM

Hope this isn't to late and you've gone out and bought new trim vinyl. A good friend of ours recommended something while we were talking one day about this very subject. He told us to go out and buy some Blue Dawn dish soap but to make sure it is the 4X type. Take some of that soap and put it on a sponge and use it on the vinyl trim to clean it. It was surprising how it turned it white and clean again. We've been using it since but remember it has to be the 4X or 5X to do the trick. When you're done with the trim, it also works great cleaning the roof but I use it in water up there.

kingdaddy · 10-17-2020, 10:48 AM

Thanks for the Dawn soap suggestion...it's worth a try!

Unfortunately, it seems like the Trekwood product comes in 150 ft. rolls! I only need about 50-60 ft. or so...

They also sell this...but at $5 per foot!

https://www.trekwood.com/products/99...d-By-The-Foot-

The research continues...gonna pick up some Dawn soap first and see how it works! Will post results.

**Rondo** · 10-17-2020, 11:36 AM

Mike-- When you pick up the Dawn, pick up a sponge that has the light abrasive scrubber on the back of it. They have them for use in washing dishes or scrubbing a shower or tub. I used just the sponge but did use the soft abrasive side on a couple of spots that were a little tougher to clean. Most of the trim I did right on the unit but took a couple pieces off to see if it made it easier to scrub but it didn't make much difference. Let me know how it works for you.

rohrmann · 10-17-2020, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingdaddy

Thanks for the Dawn soap suggestion...it's worth a try!

Unfortunately, it seems like the Trekwood product comes in 150 ft. rolls! I only need about 50-60 ft. or so...

They also sell this...but at $5 per foot!

https://www.trekwood.com/products/99...d-By-The-Foot-

The research continues...gonna pick up some Dawn soap first and see how it works! Will post results.

This one, https://www.trekwood.com/products/15...ew-Cover-White , is $.97 per foot, and this one, https://www.trekwood.com/products/10...oors-150-Roll- , is $.68 per foot. I don't think the one you show is the same thing or will work on the metal screw strip. Most of the things will show the length of the product that comes in bulk, but will show the per foot price.

kingdaddy · 10-17-2020, 04:21 PM

Yes, the one I showed with the attached metal strip would replace the metal AND vinyl that is on there now.
But I'm NOT spending $300 on new trim!

Interesting the the trim with the extra "leg" (for lack of a better description) sticking out a bit would be 50% less than the one without?

Maybe because you are buying it in bulk (150 ft.)? Decisions, decisions...

EDIT: Interesting... on the product that looks most like I have (with the little "leg") although it shows it as being a 150 ft. roll, when I enter quantity as "60" it gives me a total price based on the per ft. price (.68) or $41.04
So apparently it IS available in less than the 150' roll... good to know!

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