My older Sundowner has decals running down both sides of the trailer, and the decals are looking old and are pealing some. Is there some way to spruce the outside of my trailer up? Has anyone removed decals on an aluminum trailer?
Posted 2011-06-18 11:46 AM (#134937 - in reply to #134929) Subject: RE: trailer outside
Member
Posts: 10
I have not removed decals, but I have stripped an repainted a large aluminum Merhow. We used stripper for aluminum/aluminum safe, then used acid etching to clean it up. My understanding is you have to be careful with acid etching, but it is cool stuff! Made the aluminum and diamond plate look brand new. My dad was a small aircraft mechanic, so he helped with the painting and the "how to do what's and what to use when" kind of stuff.
Posted 2011-06-18 12:56 PM (#134939 - in reply to #134929) Subject: RE: trailer outside
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The decals are fairly easy to remove using a heat gun. Any residual adhesive can be removed using a variety of solvents, bug remover etc.
The problem arises with the areas under the decals, now differing in shading with the surrounding aluminum or paint. Even polishing the metal, will still leave an outline of the original decals. If OEM decals or new larger decals are applied to these areas, the shading can be hidden. An alternative is to hand mask the areas, and shoot a new trim scheme with paint. You can copy the newer styles, even from other trailer manufacturers, and easily modernize your trailer's exterior appearance.
trailer outside
