Micro Minnie 2108FBS Vinyl Decals Coming Off ... Warranty?

[Jay Tea]

I have only owned my Micro for only 3 months, but many decals are cracking and coming off (especially from the front fiberglass shell, but several from the azdel sidewalls also). The tops of the decals are loosening, and the vinyl in these areas is cracking.

It seems either the adhesive is defective, or the fiberglass / azdel finish was not cleaned properly before applying the decal?

Do any forum members have real-world experience with getting these replaced under Winnebago's 1 year warranty?

 

[JKAdventures]

Our new 2024 (mfg date of 10/2023) Winnebago is having issues with the decals peeling off as well. We have informed our dealer of the issue about a month ago and have not heard back. We will see how they (Winn. and dealer) handle it.

 

[FlyingV-WO]

2021 2100BH. The stickers near the door on mine have started to Pell and crack. I went ahead and pulled them off. Never would have considered this to be a warranty item

 

[ACB-WO]

Our new 2024 (mfg date of 10/2023) Winnebago is having issues with the decals peeling off as well. We have informed our dealer of the issue about a month ago and have not heard back. We will see how they (Winn. and dealer) handle it.

I’ve had warranty issues the dealer was very slow to respond to. I’ve often called Winnebago directly, emailed them and copied the dealer. It usually helped.
I haven’t had decal issues though, so have no input there.

 

[Jay Tea]

To clarify, I am talking about the large "design decals" (swooshes, slants, mfg / model name, etc), not the obnoxious little siding stickers advertising tires, TPMS, solar, etc (which I WISH were removable!).

I would think Winnebago would want their name looking good on their RVs for many years, instead of cracked & peeling off?

 

[ACB-WO]

I feel your frustration. I don’t have a good answer for you. I live in the desert heat at 110 degrees today. My three year old decals on my RV still look good, never used anything special on them. My previous Winnebago looked good after 10 years when I sold it.

My suggestion is to reach out to Winnebago directly. Maybe you get some relief. Maybe not.


Good luck.

 

[JKAdventures]

Follow-up from my previous post back in June '24: We were able to get the failing decals replaced under warranty (swooshes and such, not advertising stickers which I took off immediately and stuck on the inside of the badge door - there for when we sell in the future, they can see the comfort package and related stickers that were on it)

 

[Azdel Onboard]

It seems either the adhesive is defective, or the fiberglass / azdel finish was not cleaned properly before applying the decal?

Greetings. Sorry, a bit late here. I can't speak to why the stickers are peeling off, but I can offer a tidbit of clarity on the walls.

A common misconception is that Azdel is or includes the outer-most fiberglass of an RV wall.

Azdel composite comes in sheet form, like lauan, and is used as a substrate, just like lauan, in the construction of a laminated (sandwich panel) wall. It can be found on the exterior side of the frame behind the FRP/fiberglass, or the interior side of the frame as the material that the decor film is adhered to. It is often also used on both sides. The image below depicts typical wall construction.

The exterior fiberglass that you can see and feel is usually the same, whether lauan or Azdel is used behind it. In other words, that Fiberglass/Filon/FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) does not need to change if a manufacturer is using Azdel as the wall substrate. FRP comes in a roll and is produced by a variety of other companies, but not by Azdel. Hope that helps.

 

[gregbermuda]

I have only owned my Micro for only 3 months, but many decals are cracking and coming off (especially from the front fiberglass shell, but several from the azdel sidewalls also). The tops of the decals are loosening, and the vinyl in these areas is cracking.

It seems either the adhesive is defective, or the fiberglass / azdel finish was not cleaned properly before applying the decal?

Do any forum members have real-world experience with getting these replaced under Winnebago's 1 year warranty?

Good afternoon,
I am currently dealing with the cracking in the same area of the decals. It is the Azdel Fiberglass cracking under the decals. Winnebago said they are aware of this issue and said they are getting alot of complaints on this same issue. They said they may have to pick it up and take it back to the factory.
I did call an attorney today to maybe go down that rabbit hole.

 

[Azdel Onboard]

It is the Azdel Fiberglass cracking under the decals.

Greetings, gregbermuda. Please see our post, immediately prior to yours, from 2/26. Please note that the fiberglass you refer to is not Azdel. Azdel is the composite substrate behind the fiberglass, and which you cannot see.

 

[gregbermuda]

Greetings, gregbermuda. Please see our post, immediately prior to yours, from 2/26. Please note that the fiberglass you refer to is not Azdel. Azdel is the composite substrate behind the fiberglass, and which you cannot see.

Thank you for the Clarification.

 

[Jay Tea]

Dealing with both Winnebago corporate's Customer Service and my local dealers have yielded NO positive results in getting my defective / peeling decals replaced, for various reasons. First, Winnebago corporate denies that the decals (the exterior finish) are a warranty issue, and is therefore not a their problem. Next, the local Winnebago dealer (Western Skies RV) says they will not repair any Winnebago warranty issues on a RV which was not purchased from them (didn't know this was an option?). Finally, the dealer I purchased my brand new Winnebago from in Feb 2024 (RV Country) says they are not actually an authorized Winnebago-licensed dealer, and therefore can not do warranty work! Yes, hiring an attorney has been on my mind, but I purchased a new RV to EASE STRESS, not increase it (which pursuing a lawsuit would certainly do). Decals are a minor issue, and I enjoy everything else about Winnebago quality and ownership ... but BUYER BEWARE of this shell game played between Winnebago's sales and service departments, with corporate laughing all the way!

 

[gregbermuda]

Dealing with both Winnebago corporate's Customer Service and my local dealers have yielded NO positive results in getting my defective / peeling decals replaced, for various reasons. First, Winnebago corporate denies that the decals (the exterior finish) are a warranty issue, and is therefore not a their problem. Next, the local Winnebago dealer (Western Skies RV) says they will not repair any Winnebago warranty issues on a RV which was not purchased from them (didn't know this was an option?). Finally, the dealer I purchased my brand new Winnebago from in Feb 2024 (RV Country) says they are not actually an authorized Winnebago-licensed dealer, and therefore can not do warranty work! Yes, hiring an attorney has been on my mind, but I purchased a new RV to EASE STRESS, not increase it (which pursuing a lawsuit would certainly do). Decals are a minor issue, and I enjoy everything else about Winnebago quality and ownership ... but BUYER BEWARE of this shell game played between Winnebago's sales and service departments, with corporate laughing all the way!

Jay,
On mine the decals appear to be cracking but it is the fiberglass underneath the decals. I sent them an email just today because of their lack of communication, I am going to give them maybe another 2 weeks and if no response I will contact an attorney.
I wouldn't be opposed to looking into a class action against Winnebago.

 

[Jay Tea]

My decal peeling is not on the side fiberglass composite, but towards the top of the front 'plastic' cap.

Remember the 1970s when auto manufacturers were placing stripe decals everywhere (especially along the sides of domestic station wagons, remember those?), and after 5-7 years of sun & rain exposure they would start fading & peeling? Assuming that decals are better quality 50 years later, my analysis is poor installation on the RV's plastic cap (improper pre-cleaning / temp / humidity).

Many other Winnie owners who have experienced similar decal issues have removed the decals. I'll probably do the same as we approach summer, should be 'easy' with a heat gun and patience (same as the numerous other advertising stickers on the side fiberglass, which I already removed)?

I wish you success in dealing with Winnie Corporate, and then with legal action. I do not need the stress of fighting with either, if a heat gun and a few brews will solve my issues!

 

[gregbermuda]

I was wondering how easy it is to remove the stickers and the process. Thanks for the info.