RV Decals and McGuire's Marine Wax

[wicked1]

Does coating your decals ruin them if your using McGuires wax? I was waxing the Crusader and went over some of them?

[llr]

Same thing I have been wondering. With so many people saying don't wax them how do they avoid it?

On my older units I always waxed over the decals and didn't notice any issues. Now I have a new Flagstaff and want to make it last so looking for suggestions.

[CHICKDOE]

you will probably get a range of experiences and recommendations. I have put maguires marine cleaner/wax over decals and so far no issues. but the time period has only been a year or so. so no noticeable short term issues but time will tell.

[bob213]

Sometimes when waxing it can't be avoided. If you wax your decals spread the wax away from the decal not towards it as it tends to get under the edges and helps them to roll back and peel. If you can avoid them then use Aerospace 303 on the decals just like it was a wax. This has worked great for us on both trailers and boats.

[asquared]

Originally Posted by llr

Same thing I have been wondering. With so many people saying don't wax them how do they avoid it?

On my older units I always waxed over the decals and didn't notice any issues. Now I have a new Flagstaff and want to make it last so looking for suggestions.

I used to wax over the decals with maguires ultimate wax on my tt all the time. I made that mistake on my fiver and now the graphics look dull and spotted. I have tried fixing them with aerospace 303 but that made them worse. Now I just try to avoid them the best I can

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by asquared

I used to wax over the decals with maguires ultimate wax on my tt all the time. I made that mistake on my fiver and now the graphics look dull and spotted. I have tried fixing them with aerospace 303 but that made them worse. Now I just try to avoid them the best I can

Yeah I quickly wiped it off but will not wax anymore of them, as mine look new except for the nose decal which I need to order from Prime Time and Replace sometime this summer.

I think I will just wash the unit and avoid using anything on decals and lettering

[WFD]

I use Meguiar's and avoid coming in contact with the decals since it is a wax and will contain petroleum distillates and dry them out in time. I don't think 1 application will do much harm, but continued use will dry them out. I use Aerospace 303 on the decals since it is a UV protectant.

[Mainframe]

I sell decals for a living, I am advised by my suppliers to wax my decals before releasing them to help get any graffiti off and to preserve them.

[f5moab]

I've put Zaino finish over my flagstaff decals for four years and never had a problem, I have also used waxes and Zaino over car and truck decals for more years than I can add up this early in the AM; and never had any fading problems.

Does the RV industry use cheaper decals than the auto manufacturer?

I wouldn't doubt it.

[Havasu Bill]

Originally Posted by bob213

Sometimes when waxing it can't be avoided. If you wax your decals spread the wax away from the decal not towards it as it tends to get under the edges and helps them to roll back and peel. If you can avoid them then use Aerospace 303 on the decals just like it was a wax. This has worked great for us on both trailers and boats.

This is what I do as well

[bwodom]

We bought our FR second-hand, but first time we had it washed at one of the truck washes, the entire front end-cap decal just slid off! Perhaps wax could possibly make them less water-permeable?

[Scubanut]

The brochure that came with my trailer advertised the decals as 3M breathable decals. My RV dealer told me that they should not be waxed. Not sure if that was correct or not but I don't wax mine and haven't really noticed any problems.

[JR Smith]

Been waxing decals forever.Helps keep them from fading and drying out.Who ever told you not to wax them?

[WFD]

Originally Posted by JR Smith

Been waxing decals forever.Helps keep them from fading and drying out.Who ever told you not to wax them?

It has been long reported in the forums here of waxes drying them out because the waxes contain petroleum distillates.

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by Mainframe

I sell decals for a living, I am advised by my suppliers to wax my decals before releasing them to help get any graffiti off and to preserve them.

They aren't decals. Decals went out with black and white TV. They are pressure sensitive transfers, aka vinyl with adhesive backing. 3M was the original but everyone makes them now. including mom and pop shops with laser cutters.

I always wax mine with Turdle Wax. Never had any issue. Besides, I like cheap wax.

[Mainframe]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

They aren't decals. Decals went out with black and white TV. They are pressure sensitive transfers, aka vinyl with adhesive backing. 3M was the original but everyone makes them now. including mom and pop shops with laser cutters.

I always wax mine with Turdle Wax. Never had any issue. Besides, I like cheap wax.

Pressure sensitive vinyl is a decal, they are printed on a wide format printer, laminated, and reinserted into a vinyl cutter to be contour cut, vinyl decals are made and sold every day, I do many jobs that do not involve my printer, just the cutter, I just finished a box truck with 2,500 bucks worth of decals on it, sooo, not really sure what you are talking about?

The brand of film you use to make your decals doesn't matter, it's still a decal.

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by Mainframe

Pressure sensitive vinyl is a decal, they are printed on a wide format printer, laminated, and reinserted into a vinyl cutter to be contour cut, vinyl decals are made and sold every day, I do many jobs that do not involve my printer, just the cutter, I just finished a box truck with 2,500 bucks worth of decals on it, sooo, not really sure what you are talking about?

The brand of film you use to make your decals doesn't matter, it's still a decal.

I'm old school. I see you are correct. A 'decal' to me is water transfer, not adhesive backed vinyl sheet.

I still wax mine on my unit, all the time. never had an issue with the vinyl.

[rwmurphy]

I have waxed my decals for 4 years now they look as nice today as they did when they were new and I will continue to wax them.

[Evereddie]

It may be petroleum based, but the petroleum is a carrier for the wax. The petroleum evaporates leaving the wax. I wax my decals but stay away from the combination cleaner/polish. That has micro-abrasives and could wear down a decal.

[Mainframe]

The enemy of your decals is the sun, hands down, i have discovered many 2 sided signs that need replaced only are bad on the sun side, sometimes the difference is literally astounding. I suggest wax the decals and get them out of the sun somehow.