Expert: Michael Kakuk - 4/30/2010

Question
I am sorry this is not a question which pertains to an auto.  It is a boat trailer of which is suppose to have been painted matching that of an auto.  

Just a little background:  The boat trailer began to rust after 3 months.  The company honored the warranty and repainted the trailer.  When I got it back I noticed that they just painted over the decals that were on the trailer frame.  The decals on each side were about 2 1/2 feet long and spelled the manufacture of the boat (alumacraft).  

Can you paint over the existing decals?  Will it cause the paint to flak off or are there any other problems I may have not considered?

Thank you.

Answer
PAINTING OVER DECALS IS DONE ON SOME SITUATIONS AND AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO SEPARATIONS FROM THE DECALS TO THE TRAILER YOU SHOULD BE OK.

IDEALLY THE CORRECT WAY WOULD BE TO REMOVE THE DECALS AND THEN REFINISH AND THEN PUT NEW ONES ON.
I WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THE EDGES AND SEE IF THEY START TO PEEL....THEY PROBABLY WON'T.

THANKS
MIKE