Question on decal removal process

R

RANDAL

IOWA BOY
i have scheduled the removal of decals from the sherriffs depts. K9 unit. It is a white Durango. im thinking using low heat from heat gun, carefully using scraper for stubborn areas,andpully off slowly. Will then have to wash, clay thoroughly and hit with some SSR1. Followed by paint sealant. I dont know if they are going to sell vehicle or if it goes to another county agency such as the emergencu management coordinator as some tims happens. If I remember this decals are any where from 1 inch wide to 12 inches wide clear around the vehicle. I may be getting in deep on this one as I havent done this before. I guess I do have a body shop next door and practice door I could do some thing on first. Reccommendations would be extremely welcome. RANDAL
 
I just did this last week on a durango to removing park ranger decals. You have the right process. I used a heat gun. Heated one letter at a time at a distance and slowly peeled it off. There was a ladhesive left over. I just wiped it off with a medium duty solvent then polish the area when i was through. For the stubborn areas i used a putty blade to help get the main portion of the decal off then went over with the solvent. This worked for me anyways.
 
The heat gun is the right start and the adhesive that is left on the door can be removed with Goo Gone or 3M has a adhesive remover that will take that off...I use a graffiti remover that I got from a local supplier...you might check your local auto suppliers to see if they have something
 
heat, peal, yada, yada, yada... however, for the glue removal, laquer thinner will work just fine -- quick, easy and cheap!! then follow up with the polish/waxing :)
 
dr_detail said:
heat, peal, yada, yada, yada... however, for the glue removal, laquer thinner will work just fine -- quick, easy and cheap!! then follow up with the polish/waxing :)
Click to expand...

I would have said this but its real aggressive on paint and you have to be careful with it
 
Yes, you have it right :bigups I used to de-stripe Pac-Tel trucks ;) if you have a shadow afterwards, reheat a panel and polish it while it's warm :)
 
Heat gun does work well; however, if in the future you have a large job or multiple vehicles; you may want to check out buying an eraser machine.
 
I have a heat gun but perfer to use a hair dryer. Then remove the glue with any adhesive remover. I use Malco's but have tried a few different brands that worked really well. 3M being one of them I believe. I put it on a microfiber and rub slowly. Having a good adhesive remover will save you a lot of time and headache. If your lucky it will be a good vinyl that will come off in full pieces. I had on the other day that came off in tiny pieces. :yikes:

This one here was a pain in the butt.
flyingcowdecals.JPG


James
 
I havnt posted the pictures yet as I need my wifes help. Used a heatgun first and plastic putty knife to start. Then my wife wanted to help so went next door to the body shop to borrow his heat gun, he sent me back with the ERASER that atttaches to and electric drill. That really went well until I go to the reflective strip. That was all heat gun and puttyknife. Took the adhessive off behind all decals with the eraser. Used Malcos adhesive remover also. Washes vahicle dried and then hit with PBs Polish w/carnuba. Applied with rotary and light cutting pad. Finished with MALCOs synthetic polymer sealant. Looked good except where someone else had tried to removed the decals with a knife, and a couple spots of body damage that hadnt been repaired before. Looked a lot better. Will try topost pictures sometime. RANDAL
 
It sounds like you had more than a handful to deal with. It will be great to see some pictures.
 
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