5 Ideas for Replacement Graphics for Your RV

It wasn’t a long time ago that manufacturers of RVs decided to switch from aluminum to fiberglass or laminated exterior construction. What followed after was the rise of interest in the use of graphics as a large part of the market for RVs. In most cases, we are looking at colorful stripes or swooshes, letters or logos, all of which make the vehicle more than ‘just another passing RV’.

However, if you have used graphics on your RV, you are already well aware of how susceptible these are to abrasions and sun fading. A single scratch from a tree branch on the road can destroy the look of your graphic and with it, the exterior of your RV. And more often than not, the vinyl graphics don’t outlive the vehicle.

As far as fixing your graphic or any related idea, there still isn’t a product that can do this. You can wax and buff as much as you like – graphics do not go back to their first condition. Therefore, when the sun and other culprits have done their damage on your RV’s graphic, the only real solution you have is replacement.
Replacing Your Old RV Graphics with New Ones
If you’ve come to a point where your graphics are far too damaged to protect, you have one of two choices: either leave them as they are, or replace them. Naturally, you’ll decide on the latter, so here are the five options you have:
1. Get New Vinyl Decals
Out of all the options presented in this list, this one is the most affordable. Have your old and damaged graphics removed from the RV and get new ones to have them installed in their place.
Naturally, the first place where you can look for vinyl graphics as a replacement is the RV manufacturer. The chances that they don’t have a replacement do exist, but there are always other options for you. Check out the internet and websites like eBay, as well as those of popular, large RV manufacturers.

If you decide to go for the second option, i.e. get your new vinyl decals online, you have two options to choose from: install your new graphics yourself or hire an expert. The first one is much trickier, so you might want to consider asking for some help or taking your replacement graphic to your manufacturer. To avoid bubbles and distorted images, or even destroying the new, costly decal you bought, you might want to go through a manual or get a professional to do it for you.

Related Read: Easy Exterior Improvement: RV Window Frame Painting

2. Paint your RV
The first was the least expensive option and this one is the exact opposite. However, everyone knows that quality paint can last the longest on your RV. When you remove the decals, you can choose to paint a design onto the RV.

This gives you the opportunity to choose the design exactly as you want it, compared to ready vinyl decals presented in the first option. However, the more complex and unique your new RV design is, the more colors you need and the more work this requires. This can only mean one thing – you will pay a lot more.

And while you could choose to hire a professional or install the vinyl graphic on your RV all by yourself, you are probably going to have to ask a professional to paint your RV in any case (that is, unless you are an excellent artist yourself).
3. Combine them: Decals and Partial Paint
If you want both but cannot decide, this is the option for you. A painted job is expensive for most people, but did you know that you can choose to make a combo of the two options we presented to you? Many RVs nowadays have both vinyl decals and paint, so feel free to use your imagination – this is also possible!

Related Read: Three Ways to Clean your RV’s Exterior

4. Get a Vinyl Wrap
This option is more expensive than replacing the faded and cracked graphics only, but it is much cheaper than a full paint. At the same time, vinyl RV wraps are the most popular option among owners at this moment.

Do you know what a vinyl wrap is? In a sense, this is a giant graphic you can choose to place on the RV. The advantage over getting separate decals to cover the ruined areas is that you can design the RV wrap as you want it. So, this is pretty much the same as with the paint job option, but significantly cheaper.

If you decide to take option number four, you can easily find companies that offer such custom wraps, remove your old wraps and finish the entire job in a day. Surely, this won’t last you as long as the paint job, but it is definitely a cost-effective and unique alternative to consider. If you own a business, you can also use your vinyl wrap for advertising and write it off to get a tax boost.
Getting vinyl wraps is an excellent, cost-effective way to cover the entire RV, replace all damaged vinyl graphics, and get an entirely brand new look for your vehicle. When you are done, it will be as if you have a new vehicle to be proud of!
5. Get Help from a Graphic Designer
This final step can come combined with any of the four options we presented to you above, with the difference that you get help from a graphic designer. If you have no idea how to repair the damage on the exterior of your RV or what to choose as your new graphic, professional help can come really handy.

Since you are reading this article, it is highly likely that your RV needs some beautifying. Choose one of the proposed options in this article to turn your RV into a pleasure to drive in!


Brandon Stapper is the Chief Executive Officer of Nonstop Signs & Graphics, a Los Angeles Printing Company. At 20 years old, with no formal education and only a few hundred dollars, Stapper turned a $400 custom decal machine in a garage into a printing powerhouse. Nonstop Signs & Graphics has made the Forbes Fastest Growing Companies Award 4 years in a row and services 10,000 clients yearly.