Graphics/Decals

[dsprik]

I know this has been discussed over the years here, but I did a search and I could not find much. What recently has been the dicussion on options on getting new graphics? My 2007 is really starting to look bad. I have someone who does a good job removing/replacing and he will even come to my house to do it. My problem is getting decent material in the graphic material so that they will last more than 1-2 years.

[bonx]

I am just getting finished up with replacing all the decals on our 08. I was able to order all of them through a local Keystone dealer. It was around $1100 for all of them. I did all the removal and application myself.

I had planned to get graphics made from a local vinyl sign shop. I wanted to keep a similar design but color match it to my truck. They had quoted me $1600 to design them, get them cut, and apply them. They seemed happy to get the job until it came time to cut the decals. They quit returning my calls, so I just went back to the dealer and got them ordered.

Some of the new ones were not exactly the same size as what came off but for most of them it wasn't an issue. I only ended up with a couple places where it is noticeable, under the right light conditions and angle.

[dsprik]

I know some spend a lot of $$$ on graphics, but I got to believe that if the dealer would have told me when I bought my 3400 that I was going to spend $1,000+ every 3 years to replace graphics, it would have given me pause...

[richfaa]

My solution to replacing the graphics on our 06 3400 was to replace them with a later year graphic that was readily available from keystone. I think the year was 2010 or 2011 graphics that would have matched with out very much shadowing. It fact that was suggested by Keystone at the 2012 rally. I of course went with a new Montana instead.

We did consult with a local graphics shop here who specialized in Marine graphics. the quality of graphics is variable if you pay the price you can get the quality you want. They had various mountain graphics in stock that were close to the Montana graphic. You might want to check with a local graphic shop in your area and see what they have. I never got a price because we did not do it.

[bw2]

I checked with a local, "wrap" shop. I asked how long they would last, I was told, 5 to 7 years. I have a 2006 and my graphics are starting to look shabby, so I feel lucky to have 7 years. The wrap for the front was quoted at $900 for a full wrap, not just the existing decal areas.

[dsprik]

I just was informed by an acquaintance that one of my former 8th grade science students, who is now in her late 20s, paints murals. I would look into that. I believe I would also have a line on someone who works on fiberglass and has a decal business on the side who could do a good job removing the decals and glue.

[JandC]

I have just started taking mine off on a hit-and-miss basis. Previous owner obtained a complete set but I don't really want to put them back on until I investigate having something painted on. Just located a place in the local area that does free hand painting on tailgates and motorcycle gas tanks. I've seen some of his work and he is very good! Now I just have to get him out to my Monte and get a price.

[gingrass]

I have found the greatest tool in the world to remove decals. Its a low rpm eraser wheel that a body shop friend of mine told me about. eats right through the decal and glue, works best in a right angle drill, it has really increased my pace on the removal side of the problem.

[8.1al]

This eraser wheel sounds interesting, does it have a name?

[Jetson]

I bought some decals off Ebay cheap.

[BB_TX]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

This eraser wheel sounds interesting, does it have a name?

It is called an eraser wheel.
I had to google it as I have never heard of it. Looks like a great way to do it by watching some of the videos.
Here is one source. There are many more.

[dsprik]

I bookmarked THAT. Thanks!

[artfuldodger]

I just finished changing my decals a few weeks ago. We went to the Montana (Goshen) rally last Sept. and Keystone gave me a full set for our 2008 3605. I am however concerned that the new decals will peel like the first set after spending days replacing them. I really don't want to buy a new trailer but at the first sign of peeling I will be looking.

[akf15e]

I also got a full set from Keystone for my 2009 3400 for free. It is up to me to put them on. It only took 2 years for mine to start to peel. I am waiting until they get really bad before putting the new ones on. Don't look forward to that job. Thanks for the heads up on the eraser thing.

[captbanjo]

I'm curious; is there an option to simply remove all the decals and have a paint job similar to the ones on the Big Sky done?

I'm guessing it would be pretty pricey but those are some nice paint jobs I see on the Big Sky models.

[Phil P]

Hi

I went to a company that does vehicle signs and wraps.

They told me first the material that Keystone is using is normally used for temporary signs and is not intended to last more than a year.

Then they told me that they would take pictures of the trailer do some measuring and reproduce the graphics using a material that is intended to last 5 + years.

The cost of the graphics was quoted as $900.00

The cost of removal and installation was quoted as time & material.

Phil P

[gingrass]

3M Makes the eraser wheel I am using and I have been finding them at O'Reillys auto parts. Its still a job, but much faster than the heat gun/goo b gone method I was using.

[richfaa]

Dave check some of the marine graphic shop in your area. We did and it would have been reasonable depending on the quality graphic. We gave the folks some new graphics keystone had sent us and they said that the graphic material was of a quality that should last 5 to 7 years.Ase stated in a previous post we were going to get a set of I think 2010 or 2011 graphics f rom Keystone that matched with little shadowing. Our 06 lasted 5 years
easy began to shrink and peel in year 6 and came apart in year 7.

We are not excited about the Big Sky paint.

[BB_TX]

I stopped by a local sign/decal/wrap place yesterday. Was quoted $440 to do the front cap graphics plus time/labor to remove the old ones. He estimated 2 hours to remove the old ones. Mine just really started looking bad this year, after 7 years. But Looks like they will really start peeling now.

[scattershot]

We just had one side of ours replaced, 2006 Montana. They were custom made with 3M material from photos of the existing graphics, and look great. Cost was $900 (!)or so, but I got zero help from Keystone and had to do something.

Since the company I had do the work has the artwork now, it should be a simple matter to replace the other side when it needs it.

I have decided that when the front cap goes south, I'll have someone paint a nice mural on the front, and It sure won't say Montana anywhere on it.