removing decal adhesive?

K

krazybob

Cadet
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
7
I recently bought an older Beachcraft which had the decal strips starting to peel, so I removed them with a razor blade tool. I'm trying to figure out the best product to remove the adhesive that is left. I used Goof Off but that didn't work very well. Someone told me to use a product made by 3M but couldn't recall what the name of it was. Open for suggestions to try.
Krazy~
 
ajgraz

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
Re: removing decal adhesive?

First try rubbing alcohol, but let it "sit" on the adhesive awhile to soften it.

If that doesn't work, maybe try lacquer thinner, carb cleaner, or straight acetone.
 
K

krazybob

Cadet
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
7
Re: removing decal adhesive?

ajgraz said:
First try rubbing alcohol, but let it "sit" on the adhesive awhile to soften it.

If that doesn't work, maybe try lacquer thinner, carb cleaner, or straight acetone.
Click to expand...

I take it, that none of those will do bad things to the gel coat? I didn't apply much of the Goof Off because in the back of my mind, I kept wondering if it could effect the finish....
Krazy~
 
T

Tropax

Seaman
Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
50
Re: removing decal adhesive?

on cars we use "citrus cleaner" or cheaper Blue spirits or condensation remover (what you fill in the gass tankt to remove water and condensation)
that dosent attack the paint jobb only the glue...
im nott 100% sure what all this is cald in english butt this is my rought translation from norwegian
 
ajgraz

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
Re: removing decal adhesive?

If you look at the MSDS on the spray can above, it's basically mineral spirits and orange oil.

So, yeah, as another poster said, there's a few more things you might already have around the house to try...citrus cleaner with orange oil, or mineral spirits (a.k.a. charcoal lighter fluid).

None of the things listed so far (including lacquer thinner/acetone or rubbing alcohol) will damage gel coat, at least not if you don't leave them on for hours. Any of these things could destroy paint instantly, though.
 
T

tlzimmerman

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 21, 2010
Messages
82
Re: removing decal adhesive?

There are lots of goo's and such that will work decently well. Acetone is about as good as anything.

As someone in the decal business....I use heat and a pink eraser to get the majority off (harder eraser you can find the better), then I use the cleaners on the leftover residue once the bulk of it is taken care of.
 
L

lckstckn2smknbrls

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
1,114
Re: removing decal adhesive?

I too have been doing vinyl graphics for many years. We use Zep Chemicals Big Orange it's a degreaser and then we clean that off with Denatured alcohol solvent.
 
BigBoatinOkie

BigBoatinOkie

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
763
Re: removing decal adhesive?

I used denatured alcohol. Just wiped in small sections for a few seconds and it wiped right off. Didn't have any negative effect on the gelcoat, just cleaned it up real nice.

I think I heard somebody on iboats say he used WD-40 and it worked well.

Just mix everything you've heard on here into a bucket and get after it. :D
 
N

nuboat2me

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 12, 2010
Messages
137
Re: removing decal adhesive?

Once the decals were off, I used Goo Gone...

I used a "Wonder WHeel" bought on Ebay to get the decals off my 84 TransAm. Then followed up with Goo Gone...

Worked for me...

Cheap and smells all orangy too... :D
 
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