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After a full season of using your RV, you might have started to notice that it doesn’t quite look as good as it did when you first got it. Whether the decals are peeling, the paint has lost its luster, or the seams and seals are starting to fail, you may want to breathe new life into your trusty vehicle. Luckily, revitalizing your RV doesn’t have to break the bank, but it will require some effort. Our aim is to help you rejuvenate its appearance effectively.
Revamping your RV isn’t overly complicated, but it does require commitment. The strategy here is to focus on high-impact areas, maintain your budget, and manage your time wisely. It’s important to remember that tackling such a project may feel daunting.
Conduct an Honest Assessment
Start by taking a good look at your RV without any bias. Observe its condition: does the exterior seem outdated? Are the once-vibrant decals cracked, peeling, or faded? How do the clearance lights and headlights look? Are they dull, scratched, or dirty from road grime and bugs?
Being objective will help you identify both significant and minor flaws. Try to detach emotionally and evaluate your RV as if you are considering a purchase. Take a second look—what do you notice now?
Major Goals
A primary step in restoring your RV’s appearance is to address the decals and graphics. This might involve either replacing them or performing repairs, which can vary in complexity. The choices typically include either full or partial restoration of the decals, or in some cases, RV owners opt to simply paint over them. Your decision will depend on your DIY abilities, your willingness to invest, and the time you have available for the project.
- Products Used to Repair Faded and Cracked Decals
Minor Goals
Minor goals may not be expansive in size, but they can indeed be challenging. For instance, my 29-foot RV suffered from years of oxidation, and its decals had become dull and faded. The financial investment for this minor goal was minimal.
Essentially, restoring oxidized fiberglass on your RV will primarily take hard work. From personal experience, the extent of oxidized areas can be immense. However, significant improvements can be achieved with a thorough wash and wax. This task is neither overly expensive nor technically difficult, and the results are often impressive.
Establishing the Plan
To begin, gather ideas, tools, and resources to help plan your restoration strategy. There are countless ideas, how-to videos, and useful websites available to assist you. Remember that RV enthusiasts are savvy individuals who know how to save both time and money, especially when it comes to revamping their older models.
It’s crucial to break down your objectives into three factors: cost, difficulty, and time. For example, replacing decals can be expensive, challenging, and time-consuming. Every aspect of your project will involve these three factors, and you must assess whether they are feasible for your situation.
The key to understanding these elements is to conduct thorough research before beginning. RV graphics come in a wide range of designs, colors, sizes, prices, and technical requirements.
Making Decisions
On the DIY side, there are many cost-effective options worth exploring. For example, the IRV2 community has a dedicated forum for Vintage RVs. It’s worth noting that long-term RV owners recognize that a new RV is a considerable investment that depreciates quickly. Hence, it is wise to care for older RV models.
Targeting High Impact Areas
One of the most striking elements of an RV is the clearance lights, which are often the first feature people notice from afar. Honestly, who hasn’t been mesmerized by the beautiful glow of an RV’s clearance lights on a dark evening?
Detailing Your RV
Revitalizing your RV to look renewed involves good, old-fashioned vehicle detailing. However, keep in mind that detailing an RV is notably more taxing than detailing a car. If you decide to do this on your own, you can save a considerable amount of money compared to hiring professionals, who typically charge a premium for such large vehicles.
The satisfaction that comes from taking a step back and witnessing your hard work pay off is immense. You’ll notice previously muted sections of your RV shine brightly, and the refreshed, colorful elements will stand out against the backdrop of your polished RV, all set atop sparkling clean wheels and tires.
A secondary benefit of detailing your RV is what we’ll call Prevent Defense. This means that while you’re cleaning every corner, you can also assess the state of corner seams, window seals, and check for any signs of delamination. Don’t forget to pay attention to critical areas like cargo door latches, entry steps, slide-out covers, and window weep holes.
The Details
Ongoing Maintenance
Once you’ve restored your RV’s appearance, be sure to schedule time for yearly detailing and waxing. While it’s unrealistic to keep your RV in perfect condition at all times, consistent maintenance can help. After applying a solid base coat of wax, future refreshings will require less time and effort.
Collect Essential Supplies
Given the time and resources you’ll be investing, it’s wise to stock up on maintenance supplies. These essentials will not only assist in making your old RV look fresh again but will also aid in its upkeep moving forward.
Additionally, quality RV parts are easily accessible locally or online. Be sure to read customer reviews for insights on various products’ performance. The opinions from other RVers can provide valuable context regarding the effectiveness of these products, so do your research before making purchases.
Investing in Longevity
Keeping an old RV looking new involves a commitment to regular maintenance. This investment will provide you with enduring memories and adventures with loved ones. As you accumulate your shopping list, reflect on what is truly essential.
Choosing products that are reputable and tested for RV use can make a significant difference. One example is the Dicor RV Product Line, which simplifies project management with their Seal-Tite™ Products & Kits and other Roof Products. Seams and roofs are crucial areas prone to water damage. Other effective roof repair solutions include RV Roof Magic and FlexArmor.
Is It Worth the Effort?
Owning an RV is a significant investment in time and resources. Revitalizing your old RV is a source of pride for any RV owner. There’s a special satisfaction that comes from rolling into campgrounds with a glimmering home on wheels that says, “Look at me! My five-star accommodation has arrived!” In fact, one of the favorite pastimes at campgrounds is admiring the various RVs as they come and go.
Once your project is complete, take a moment to stand back and appreciate your handiwork. Don’t forget to capture plenty of photos and share them with your fellow RV enthusiasts. The outcome of your hard work deserves recognition.
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