Late last year we finally got our campervan. The one in the Avatar.
It's an early 2022 model KEA Nomad. (Sprinter)
We really like it and are having fun with it. But I'm not in love with the stickers on it.
I was thinking of just removing them, leaving the van plain white. Or maybe even adding a 'wrap' of some kind to personalise it a bit.
But I wonder what the pros and cons might be? Do the original stickers add value if we sold it? And I suppose a wrap would have to be not too 'out there' in case we wanted to sell it.
Though at this stage I see us holding on to it for a good 10+ years at least.
Or maybe there are others ways to personalise the van, so it doesn't look just like all the other rental vans?
Any thoughts most appreciated.
Possum3 said
08:15 AM Jun 12, 2023
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 said
10:22 AM Jun 12, 2023
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 said
11:56 AM Jun 12, 2023
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 said
12:49 PM Jun 12, 2023
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 said
01:21 PM Jun 12, 2023
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 said
08:31 PM Jun 13, 2023
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
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.
-- 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 said
09:43 PM Jun 13, 2023
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 said
10:34 AM Jun 14, 2023
Very professional looking job Stretch. You could easily get a job in the Caravan Repair Industry.
BAZZA44 said
10:36 AM Jun 14, 2023
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 said
10:48 AM Jun 14, 2023
Use a rubber wheel in your drill chuck.
Possum3 said
01:31 PM Jun 14, 2023
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 said
05:35 PM Jun 14, 2023
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.
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 said
08:10 PM Jun 14, 2023
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 said
09:52 PM Jun 14, 2023
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 said
05:08 PM Jun 16, 2023
Yes be careful with the caramel wheel as it can burn the paint.
Late last year we finally got our campervan. The one in the Avatar.
It's an early 2022 model KEA Nomad. (Sprinter)
We really like it and are having fun with it. But I'm not in love with the stickers on it.
I was thinking of just removing them, leaving the van plain white. Or maybe even adding a 'wrap' of some kind to personalise it a bit.
But I wonder what the pros and cons might be? Do the original stickers add value if we sold it? And I suppose a wrap would have to be not too 'out there' in case we wanted to sell it.
Though at this stage I see us holding on to it for a good 10+ years at least.
Or maybe there are others ways to personalise the van, so it doesn't look just like all the other rental vans?
Any thoughts most appreciated.
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.
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.
"Nice update Chief"
The Northern wilds must be treating you ok.
Good points Possum. Thanks.
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
Barry
Hair dryer on low heat and use a nylon spatular as a scraper.
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.
Barry