Vinyl decal removal revisited?

[Boomyal]

I sure this has been discussed before but a search yielded naught.<br /><br />I have three sets of business logo vinyl decals on the clear coat of my 1991 Toyota van. They have been on there for about that long. (they held up superbly) But alas, it is time to remove them. The paint is original and in excellent shape so I do not want to booger it up. I realize I might have a ghost image once removed but at least the color is a light pearl gray.<br /><br />How should I go about this?<br /><br />Goo begone?<br />WD40?<br />Heat gun?

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

I did very well using a hair dryer (set on high) and a plastic ice scraper to remove the old vinyl registration numbers on my boat.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

I think its 3-M, that makes an eraser that will work on a drill. Good for decals also.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Yup, hair dryer on high with plastic scraper. I removed dealer stickers off of a friends '96 Blazer 2 years ago. I started by going easy with the heat until i saw the edge lift with the scraper, then applied the heat on , then off to maintain the right temperature.

 

[boatneck]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Does this same hair dryer technique work on decals on gel coat for a fiber glass boat?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Originally posted by JRJ:<br /> I think its 3-M, that makes an eraser that will work on a drill. Good for decals also.

Ya know JRJ, I've got one of those erasers. I used it on a semi-resto of my son's first car. I used it on vinyl pin stripping prior to sanding for repaint. Their success in removing is highly dependant on the base paint. It the paint was not right it burned the paint off. If the paint was the right kind, it worked great. I had it both ways as a replacement fender was of a different year and a different kind of factory paint.<br /><br />I might touch on it lightly to see how it reacts. Otherwise I will go with the heatgun and plastic scraper.<br /><br />No comments on pre-softening with goo-begone or WD-40??

 

[ndemge]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

We had 3 trucks that were heavily covered with decals that we had to remove a few years back, tried everything, and here's what we finally found workd the best:<br /><br /><br />Heat gun to remove the decal. ..get a heat gun, not a whimpy hair dryer...<br /><br />Then you will have the sticky residue left all over, 3M adhesive remover worked the best with a rough rag and a plastic scraper/credit card. Do it in the shade and well ventilated area. It's a lot of elbow grease to get the goo off, but once it's off it all cleans up really well and we didn't have any problem with the paint.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

I was (unfortunately) too busy to watch closely,but we had two guys change decals on a new boat we sold (wrong original decals).They used a propane torch.GOTTA move quick.Try asking at an autobody supply shop,that makes custom decals.They'll know.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Originally posted by DHPMARINE:<br /> I was (unfortunately) too busy to watch closely,but we had two guys change decals on a new boat we sold (wrong original decals).They used a propane torch.GOTTA move quick.Try asking at an autobody supply shop,that makes custom decals.They'll know.<br /><br />DHP

I've started as Noel mentioned above. It is a bit tedious but so far so good. I have a professional heat gun and am using a credit card to start lifting the end of the segments.<br /><br />All that remains is the adhesive for which I got a 19$ can of 3M adhesive removal. Expensive as it is it is cheap campared to a new clearcoat paint job.<br /><br />3M also makes a spray product intended to lift the decal as well. I opted not to spend another 19$ for that one.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Now if you have ghost images.... polishing compound will do the trick and it is best to do the entire vehicle so it is all the same.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Originally posted by Bob_VT:<br /> Now if you have ghost images.... polishing compound will do the trick and it is best to do the entire vehicle so it is all the same.

So far Bob, for what I have removed I am suprised at the lack of ghost image. I haven't removed the glue yet but it does not look bad. The vehicle is a lite pearl gray base coat/ clear coat.<br /><br />It would seem if I do end up with any signifigant image, that it would be in the basecoat. Therefore I don't see what advantage would be gained by cutting the clearcoat???

 

[kwikk9]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Removing old decals from gelcoat vs removing from metal are 2 different issues. However, a heat gun seems a little extreme. As always, proceeding with caution is advised on either surface. Any way, sounds like you got them off. There are clearcoat specific rubbing compounds available, but, I've never had non-toxic Goo-B-Gone let me down removing nasty gunk. Follow that up with a quality wax and you're as good as new.

 

[DJ]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Get some 3M adhesive remover. 3M part# 08984. Any auto paint store will have it.<br /><br />Works wonders.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> Get some 3M adhesive remover. 3M part# 08984. Any auto paint store will have it.<br /><br />Works wonders.

That is what I got DJ. I will just get all the decals off first then go back and do the glue.

 

[DJ]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Boom,<br /><br />Heat makes the decals allot easier to get off. A hair dryer works wonders. DO NOT use a heat gun-TOO HOT! Peel the decal straight back along the decal still in place-parallel, NOT UPRIGHT-perpendicular.<br /><br />I just recently "de-striped a Maustang and that method and glue remover made it relatively easy.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Vinyl decal removal revisited?

Ok, here is the final analysis. I had 3 sets of company logos that were made up of thin letters and graphic segments. They were all about 12"x 12" in total area.<br /><br />I judiciously used the heat gun to soften the individual pieces, then used a credit card to lift the beginning edges. I pulled and reheated as necessary until I was able to remove each piece. It probably took about 20 min per logo.<br /><br />Once done, I applied the 3M adhesive remover per instructions. I remove the glue on two of the logos with numerous applications of the remover. It is very messy stuff as it scrapes off kind of like wax.<br /><br />For 19$ a can, I was not very happy with the speed at which the adhesive was removed. I decided to try a can of GoofOff that I happened to have on hand. I sprayed it on a rag, rubbed the residual adhesive and it just rolled off the painted panel. Much better. Now in 3M's defense, their product may be safer on more surfaces than the GoofOff. In my case, I was using it on 15 y/o well cured clear coat so I was fairly confident that it would not hurt the surface. It did not and it worked quickly at a quarter of the price and a quarter of the time.<br /><br />I would hate to have to remove larger vinyl graphics. I probably have 3 hours total in the removal of 3 foot square segmented graphics.<br /><br />I will probably use my newly found cutting and polishing skills and run over the spots with a medium compound and my Chinee 30$ 7" polisher.<br /><br />Hope this helps everyone.