Removing Stickers, adding a Wrap. Pros and cons?

RoboLB · Senior Member

Removing Stickers, adding a Wrap. Pros and cons?

Possum3 · Guru

Rob, Stickers and wraps are easily removed if you really desire to change the look of the van.

Before you rush into their removal consider possible down sides of doing so, particularly Warranty. It would not assist in resale of van at a later date, it could in fact make the unit more saleable if it is considered a good brand of conversion, and that distinguishes your van from any other manufacturer with a poor reputation.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

G'day Rob,

Just be careful of Wrapping.

I have paint fading rapidly on the Colorado roof and bonnet, well, it's actually the clear coat they put on cars these days. It's all due to being out in the open and mostly harsh sunny conditions. The Colly is only 9 years old this month, bugga. In reality It is getting old I spose, like me.

I have thought of wrapping the roof and bonnet only as I reckon would be a lot cheaper than re-spraying. Two people I know have done similar and looks very good. I'm not over concerned if the color doesn't match existing exactly. However, after further enquiries etc. I have found out that wrapping only comes with a 3-year guarantee and might start fading or lifting. So, further thinking is needed on my part.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Craig1 · Guru

Check out Supercars website, they seem to change their wraps like we change our undies. They may have a secret.

"Nice update Chief"
The Northern wilds must be treating you ok.

RoboLB · Senior Member

Possum3 wrote:
Rob, Stickers and wraps are easily removed if you really desire to change the look of the van.

Before you rush into their removal consider possible down sides of doing so, particularly Warranty. It would not assist in resale of van at a later date, it could in fact make the unit more saleable if it is considered a good brand of conversion, and that distinguishes your van from any other manufacturer with a poor reputation.

Good points Possum. Thanks.

Greg 1 · Guru

Wraps work quite well if done properly but they are a vinyl, so like all plastics will deteriorate if continuously exposed to weather, just like the stripes. Supercars change their wraps to match sponsorship deals or their sponsors latest promotions, not because the wrap is faulty. A full wrap though is not a particularly cheap exercise even on a small car so what a van is worth I'd hate to guess.

Stretch60 · Senior Member

You don't have to go over the top with changing the look of your van. I started by removing lots of fading and peeling decals and got carried away. However as you can see a vouple of small decals can break up the plain white sides

watsea · Guru

Stretch,
That is really good job with the external of the van. I saw some of the earlier pics not long after you had done the paint job, but I did not notice the decals then. I agree the minimalist mode is nice.
I just noticed the van's rego plate. Or is it the Boroma number? There appears to be a plate in the normal location as well.

A warning in case a zealous enforcement officer comes your way.
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/number-plates/display-of-number-plates
I think the same height applies in QLD too, maybe other states as well.

-- Edited by watsea on Tuesday 13th of June 2023 08:53:18 PM

-- Edited by watsea on Tuesday 13th of June 2023 08:54:24 PM

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Cheers Watsea, it is the rego and is where Boroma (QLD) put it. I have been across the other half of Australia a couple of times and no issues yet. The other plate is a novelty. And thanks, I am happy the way it turned out. It started as internal power upgrade, and went way further with new water tanks, internal led lighting, wheel arch modification, rear led tail lights, DO35 off road hitch and paint job. All done by myself. The only issue now is the Raptor black is peeling. May be a mismatch with the etch primer and Raptor product.

Possum3 · Guru

Very professional looking job Stretch. You could easily get a job in the Caravan Repair Industry.

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

Stretch60 how did you remove the original stickers. I have some on our van that have started to lift but they break if I try to lift them.

Barry

peter67 · Guru

Use a rubber wheel in your drill chuck.

Possum3 · Guru

BAZZA44 wrote:
Stretch60 how did you remove the original stickers. I have some on our van that have started to lift but they break if I try to lift them.

Barry

Hair dryer on low heat and use a nylon spatular as a scraper.

peter67 · Guru

Possum that was the only way to do it back in the 70's and you need to take care with heat because you soften the paint also, then it's easily damaged with the nylon scraper, plus it's a messy way to do it. Use this product on a medium speed 1/4" drill chuck.

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Barry, it was a big time consuming job. Heat gun, nylon scraper, rubber wheel on drill. It has a name but can't recall what it is. Was recomended by panel beater mate.

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Thanks guru but after doing the same job as you for 33 years now too old. It was a very physical task and a labour of love on my own van.

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

Thanks for the answers. I have bought one of those caramel wheels but not tried it yet. I do not want to damage paint underneath decal.

Barry

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Yes be careful with the caramel wheel as it can burn the paint.