Decal Removal?

[belle41379]

Has anyone had success with removing old decals and the adhesive it leaves behind? The front decal on our rig has almost completely peeled away (on its own). We tried using a goo remover - with zero results. I've seen many different ways of removal, but am wondering if anyone has had any success with removing old decals, diy style. (Rig is 5 years old, and weather/winter hasn't caused the "PREMIER" decal on the front and one side to lift away.)

 

[jknezek]

There are really 2 kinds of DIY decal removers that I've used with success. One is a wheel. It's a round rubber attachment for a drill or rotary tool made by 3M I think, and it basically grinds off the decal. You have to watch the speed and how deep you go, but it works well. The other is a hot spade tool, which you can buy from Horror Freight or ebay or just about anywhere else. It heats up the end like a curling iron and has a sharp spade bit used to pry under the decal and lift it off. You have to be careful not to dig into the side of your vehicle. It also leaves a bit of sticky behind, which Goo Gone or the decal glue remover they sell at AutoZone or any other auto parts store will take off with some elbow grease. Frankly both methods can be time consuming and, if not used carefully, do more damage to your rig than leaving the decal alone. I did the 40 year old stripes that ran the length and width of my 26' GMC with the spade tool. It took me about 16 hours to do 68 linear feet of about 6" stripe.

Links:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Stripe-Wheel-Mandrel-Diameter/dp/B00063VT0G 3m wheel
https://www.amazon.com/AES-Industries-87600-Blade-Remover/dp/B00NEU5JL8 hot spade tool

There are also hairdryer type products that might work, but I've never had much luck with that.

 

[peg110]

So, first let me say that this is the reason I don't do "Bumper Stickers" or the sort. I also don't do the vehicle magnets because fading of the paint around the magnet will live a silhouette once removed and I don't like that. The only place I put stickers is on flat windows. That way a razor blade can remove them without too much issue.

Anyway, some thoughts of things that you could do.

Lighter fluid has worked well for me in removing adhesives from other surfaces. Obviously though, be mindful of flames near by. This will still require some "Elbow grease", much like the goo gone. Along that same thinking, perhaps nail polish remover might work as well (non-acetone). This however could also impact the paint depending on how old the paint is. WD-40 is also a solution that is claimed to help remove adhesives. Soak a rag and then let the rag sit on the adhesive so that it can soak into that as well. Then try and wipe it clean.

Less "Chemical" solution would be to get a steam cleaner. I have one that is like a mini canister vacuum style that has different tips and a long hose that is ideal for stuff like this. I have used it to take of wallpaper, clean ovens, floors, etc... The heat combined with the moisture and pressure is great for cleaning things like this. If you have access to one, I would give it a go.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Hair dryer to remove the sticker (no sharp scrapers) and baby oil to remove the residue (requires lots of rags and patience)

 

[rideswithchrist]

We tried the hair dryer method and paint stripper. Did not work quickly and I lost all patience- BUT our Pup is 24 years old too and pretty dried on. We are going to try the 3M wheel to remove all the old decals and adhesive on ours.

 

[DisneyZB]

Hello Belle,

I work at a sign shop and decal removal is a regular thing for us. The 3M wheels do work but if you’ve got a lot a graphics you’ll need a couple since they break down as they strip. They also spew vinyl bits everywhere so do it in an area you can sweep up afterwards. We only use these ourselves when the graphics are too dry to strip by conventional methods. Usually we prefer to use a heat gun and plastic stripping blades.
https://www.signwarehouse.com/shop/merchant.mvc?Store_code=SC&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=HT-SRPR-B100

It takes a little practice but you’ll get a rhythm of applying a little heat, doing a little strip applying a little heat, doing a little strip and so on and so on. To remove the adhesive left behind call your local sign shop and ask to buy some Orange Peel or Rapid Remover. I prefer Rapid Remover myself. These are water based strippers so they won’t screw up your paint job but you do need to follow the instructions to get the most out of them. Don’t bother with goo gone, that stuff is crap. If you can’t get the plastic scrapers at a hardware store the sign shop can get them as well. It’s standard equipment for us. If the first sign shop you call won’t help (which would surprise me) just call around. We help people all the time that want to remove graphics themselves at our shop. You can also see how much it would cost at a sign shop or auto detail shop to strip the graphics for you.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[fantayzya]

Hi Belle, I asked my son who also works at a sign shop and he agrees completely with DisneyZB on all points. Hubby used the lighter fluid method on our new truck cap last fall to take distracting decals off the back window and still had residue left over. My son took that off with his "special stuff" much more easily and completely.

 

[belle41379]

Thanks so much everyone! I'll be calling our local sign shop. Can't wait for our first trip to the Fort in a March!!

 

[Marshel]

Have never used this but was recommended to me by a guy who does detailing when I was helping a friend thinking of removing stripes from a Mustang; he emphasized using the plastic chisel along with it, also reccomended doing it on a warm day out in the sun:
http://www.advantagesgs.com/CrystalTek-Vinyl-Off-8-oz

 

[Cadaverous Pallor]

http://www.thepopupprincess.com/pop-up-camper-remodel/exterior-makeover-removing-the-decals/

 

[snowmedic]

I asked our paint and body guy at work and he recommended this

https://www.dentfix.com/shop-1/!/Eliminator-Inline-Undercoat-&-Decal-Remover-Kit/p/65881355

The large wheel is a giant eraser, not abrasive.
If you have no other use for it, it would be a total waste of money, unless you went into the decal removal business. I watched him use it on some decals, and it worked amazing. Took the decal and adhesive off the truck and never hurt the paint. Nice and quick. He also recommended that if you got the decal off and all that was left was the adhesive, brake cleaner and a rag. He said to do a little at a time because the break cleaner would dry on the vehicle. He said to just do a little area at a time.

 

[peg110]

I asked our paint and body guy at work and he recommended this

https://www.dentfix.com/shop-1/!/Eliminator-Inline-Undercoat-&-Decal-Remover-Kit/p/65881355

The large wheel is a giant eraser, not abrasive.
If you have no other use for it, it would be a total waste of money, unless you went into the decal removal business. I watched him use it on some decals, and it worked amazing. Took the decal and adhesive off the truck and never hurt the paint. Nice and quick. He also recommended that if you got the decal off and all that was left was the adhesive, brake cleaner and a rag. He said to do a little at a time because the break cleaner would dry on the vehicle. He said to just do a little area at a time.

The link you provided was "Dead" for me. I did however look up "Eliminator inline undercoat and Decal Remover Kit" on Amazon and found "THIS" but that's a LOT of money just to remove a Decal. I guess, as you indicate, it would be good if you went into a decal removal business, but otherwise, I think I'd hire someone to remove it for (hopefully) less money.

 

[rideswithchrist]

^ WOW that is a pricy tool!
I found this eraser tool that looks similar to the one in that kit for a LOT less. Of course, my husband is the one that makes things SHI-NY (sorry, too much Moana) so it's his realm. Our Palomino is ugly beige so I am wanting to strip it and repaint it either white or light grey.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ABN-Deca...nline&wl12=146454741&wl13=&veh=sem#about-item

 

[peg110]

^ WOW that is a pricy tool!
I found this eraser tool that looks similar to the one in that kit for a LOT less. Of course, my husband is the one that makes things SHI-NY (sorry, too much Moana) so it's his realm. Our Palomino is ugly beige so I am wanting to strip it and repaint it either white or light grey.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ABN-Deca...nline&wl12=146454741&wl13=&veh=sem#about-item

I like your option better, however it's just the arbor and the wheel. I am guessing I could probably use my drill and save a lot of money were I to need to do this. This is part of the reason why I don't do the "Bumper Stickers". To much of a PITA to deal with when they are no longer relevant. (You know, the "Romney For President" or "Hillary For President" or other political stickers for those that did not win)

 

[rideswithchrist]

I like your option better, however it's just the arbor and the wheel. I am guessing I could probably use my drill and save a lot of money were I to need to do this. This is part of the reason why I don't do the "Bumper Stickers". To much of a PITA to deal with when they are no longer relevant. (You know, the "Romney For President" or "Hillary For President" or other political stickers for those that did not win)

YUP- we don't do bumper stickers either. Actually, I hate stickers in general and my rule is that they go on paper only.
I used grinder wheel on my dad's drill when I was scraping metal off a bed and burnt it out and had to upgrade to an actual grinder; so I hope I don't kill our drill too!