1988 Excella Side Blue Striping Decal

[Frank&Mike]

With regard to the side blue striping decal (approximately 7.5 inches in height) that wraps around the 1988 Airstream Excella, has anyone had any experience with, and suggestions for:

1. Removing the side blue striping decal?

2. Cleaning and prepping the surface for the new decal?

3. Easily and neatly applying the new decal?

Ours is in need of being removed and replaced with a new striping decal. I'm just a little nervous to start this project without some good advice. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and guidance.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

With regard to the side blue striping decal (approximately 7.5 inches in height) that wraps around the 1988 Airstream Excella, has anyone had any experience with, and suggestions for:

1. Removing the side blue striping decal?

2. Cleaning and prepping the surface for the new decal?

3. Easily and neatly applying the new decal?

Ours is in need of being removed and replaced with a new striping decal. I'm just a little nervous to start this project without some good advice. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and guidance.

Removing the decal can be carefully done with a heat gun, or with some paint stripper.

New decal to replace what you have, is no longer available.

Most owners, prep that area, and then paint it.

Or, you can come up with your own decal design.

But remember, decals never last very long.

Andy

[Frank&Mike]

Thank you for your reply Andy.

I wondered about the heat gun. I actually used a hair dryer to remove the prior owner's WBCCI #s ... so perhaps the hair dryer will also work on this decal?

But that is disappointing that the decal is no longer available. I wonder why? I wouldn't trust myself with painting the area with something ... I bet taking it to a body shop to have something painted on will be pricey too.

I guess I'll just have to get the old decal off and figure something out.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

Thank you for your reply Andy.

I wondered about the heat gun. I actually used a hair dryer to remove the prior owner's WBCCI #s ... so perhaps the hair dryer will also work on this decal?

But that is disappointing that the decal is no longer available. I wonder why? I wouldn't trust myself with painting the area with something ... I bet taking it to a body shop to have something painted on will be pricey too.

I guess I'll just have to get the old decal off and figure something out.

Frank.

Airstream rarely at this point, keeps such things as decals, very long.

Believe me, you would not want to try to install some decals that are 20 years old.

They are aged out, and difficult to remove from the backing.

Bottom line, old decals are useless.

I know, as we have a couple of them in stock.

Andy

[AirHeadsRus]

Thanks for the posts Frank & Andy. I need to do something with my 1990 Excella's striping. The sides have held up fairly well but the back is peeling really bad. Frank, when you come up with a solution, please post your results. This is something I'll address next Fall when I can get the AS in my shop. It is to hot and humid in Florida now to even think about painting or applying striping outside.
Good luck,
Joe

[lynn]

The Airstream decal is still available-- it is Airstream part number 385794. It is 7 1/2 inches high and has two colors of blue with silver pin stripes.

[woodenicol]

I have a 1988 Excella that has spent most of it's life between NJ- NY. There hadn't been any sign of pelling until I hit it with a pressure washer and quit. The climate hear is much cooler than FL,TX, CA.

[Maryw164]

OUT OF DOORS MART HAS SOME DECALS, HERE'S ONE:

JUST DO A SEARCH FOR DECALS ON THE MAIN PAGE

Decal Side Striping, Excella - 1984-89 385794 [385794] - $3.95 : ODMRV , Out-of-Doors Mart

[Frank&Mike]

Thanks to each of you for the information on where to get the decal. I contacted Out of Doors and they do sell it. So good news there. Now ... does anyone have any suggestions for:

2. Prepping the surface for the new decal?
3. Easy way to apply the new decal?

[AxelBruijnis]

i removed the decals of my 1986 excella 32ft , after buying new ones from andy. ( he did have them last year )
it took a long time, and i tried various methods before i got the stickers off
the heatgun had no effect at all, except that the aluminum expanded ..
i carefully tried various chemicals , with no effect at all.
i ended up using a copper brush on a drill to remove most of it , and acetone to remove the glue remainder
It took me about 45 man hours to get it ready for the new decals.

I gave the decals to a local company that specializes in commercial stickers for cars and buildings.
they did a very nice job applying them , i would never been able to that myself.
please see the attached pictures

Regards,

Axel

[Ganglin]

You may want to find yourself an auto body supply place and get a few of these. This is what many body shops use to remove decals - a giant eraser if you will....

Amazon.com: Pinstripe Eraser Pad: Automotive

[GStephens]

Contact Colin. I bought him his decal at Billy Simms RV in Lubbock and he changed out the old and put it on. It can be a labor intensive process, but very doable.
GStephens