Hi Guys. I have been asked by my local law enforcement if I would be able to remove the decals and numbers from a cruiser to make it an unmarked cruiser. I started detailing for them this year and they thought I might be able to help them out. Does anyone know a way to do this without pulling up the paint or causing any other damage? I've never done anything like this so I'm not sure if I would attempt it if I'm not comfortable with it. Thanks for your help. Jim.
Removing striping and decals from police car
- Thread starter jimtriz
- Start date
jimmybuffit
That'll buff right out!
Yup.
Jim
Jim
MongooseGA
New member
why would someone want to contribute to making an unmarked car? 
i think the police are cheating
i have heard of using floss and the heat gun. anyone else use this method?
what kind of adhesive removers are safe for all paints?
i think the police are cheating
i have heard of using floss and the heat gun. anyone else use this method?
what kind of adhesive removers are safe for all paints?
DaGonz
Autopia fire/rescue.
You may have a problem making it "unmarked"....
The paint covered by the decals will still look fresh and new, while the paint exposed to the elements will have a different look.
You can buff it, but there will still be subtle difference, and anyone with a good eye will still be able to tell that it was a former marked cruiser.
The paint covered by the decals will still look fresh and new, while the paint exposed to the elements will have a different look.
You can buff it, but there will still be subtle difference, and anyone with a good eye will still be able to tell that it was a former marked cruiser.
Horseman2475
New member
How about removing the Warning sticker on the sun visor?
3M makes a wheel that attaches to your buffer and is safe to use on paint.
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...command_AbcPageHandler/theme_us_abrasives_3_0
~Rick
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...command_AbcPageHandler/theme_us_abrasives_3_0
~Rick
Accumulator
Well-known member
Gonzo0903 said:
Yep, but every now and then it works just great (especially on some colors like white). I have a '95 Caprice 9C1 that was a marked unit, and there's no way anyone would see where the markings were without having it in unnatural lighting and really *looking* for such stuff.
Once the decals are off (yeah, use heat and something like 3M Adhesive Remover), I'd try to get everything on a "level playing field" by using a fairly aggressive polish (one that induces micromarring) and then work at bringing it back up to snuff.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Accumulator said:
Accumulator, never pegged you as a 9C1 kind of guy! Been a long time since I thought about that RPO number. 20 years or so ago I considered a 9C1 Malibu.
Anyway, my friend bought an '80 St. Regis (this was prolly '82) that had PAINTED stripes on the doors. Silly me told him we would be able to sand them off...needless to say it wound up at the body shop for a repaint. I still have the live .357 magnum round I found in the trunk....
Accumulator
Well-known member
Setec Astronomy said:
Heh heh, I found an industrial-strength zip-tie (improvised handcuff) in one of mine, but never anything really interesting.
Yeah, I love the 9C1 Caprices, just "accumulated" another one last week! They work great for situations where the Audis are, uhm, "inappropriate" (as in, too "high profile"). Plus, I've had professional security-driver training in them so I feel comfortable behind the wheel of one. Best car for the money you can get, bar none, IMHO.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Accumulator said:
I have always been a sedan (low profile) kind of guy. My friend back then who had the St. Regis was really into the used cop car thing (although for him, it was some sort of ego/psycho "want people to think ur a cop" thing). I almost bought a used one also back then, then flirted with the idea of a new one (partly because the dealer with the used ones, when I was unhappy with the selection said he could sell me a new one; I said "you can do that?", and partly because Car & Driver did a Malibu 9C1 article, and called police cars "the quintessential American sports sedan", pointing out that civilians could check the 9C1 option box also).
I guess I always liked the "purpose-built" features, made them seem cool like a piece of military hardware.
Like with any used car, you have to find the right one to make it worth the money. How many cars do you have, Accumulator (if you don't mind saying)?
salty
Active member
Back to the original question. If the decal is made of quality material, you should just be able to heat and pull or scrape off with a plastic razor. A heat gun is better than a hair dryer. A plastic razor blade can be made out of a plastic knife ( the picnic kind) just heat or sand the edge smooth(very important). Always check your progress , and make sure you aren't making scratches. The plastic blade will not scratch a clean surface unless it is dirty or the paint is overheated. You will need a solvent to remove any glue. I use Var-sol and a clean terry cloth. The rubber wheel also works , but is fairly expensive. I'd try heat first. If you have not damage when your done , give it a quick polish and a wax.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Setec Astronomy- Check your PMs
Back on-topic- do those "decal removal wheels" really *not* mar the paint? I'd be afraid to use one on any of *my* cars...
Back on-topic- do those "decal removal wheels" really *not* mar the paint? I'd be afraid to use one on any of *my* cars...
salty
Active member
Generally not, the ones i've used anyways. If they do, a simple buff (by hand)with 3m FC or SMR does the job. Of course check your progress. I've found that they leave rubber marring that is easy to clean off with a solvent. They also work fairly well removing some 'colored' scuffs.
Accumulator
Well-known member
OK, thanks, Salty. Might consider using one on the latest 9C1, which the previous owner "enhanced" 
with some tape-style pinstriping and Chevy bowtie decals.
with some tape-style pinstriping and Chevy bowtie decals.imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
Jim,
I have used this product many times with very good results.
3Mâ„¢ Woodgrain and Stripe Remover
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html
I have used this product many times with very good results.
3Mâ„¢ Woodgrain and Stripe Remover
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html
Beercan31
New member
jimtriz
I have done this in the past to a 2000 Ford Crown's Vic. and a 2001 Ford Expedition's, both are dark blue.The most important tool you can use is the heat gun the hair dryer will not generate enough heat to do the job effectively.
Be careful not to over hear the paint, Not only will it paint blister but so will you skin.
What type of decals are you removing? reflective or non reflective most of what you see the market are vinyl. on the reflective decals it's a pain in the neck because the decal will always come off in leaving the backing on the vehicle this can be removed by using slow evaporating reducer letting it sit a few seconds the backing will loosen up and rub up in to a ball **or you can use the plastic knife/blade method mentioned earlier ( sounds like a good idea will try it next time). When this was done to my satisfaction I went over the whole veh. with #83, #82, # 80 . the only place you can see where the stripes were are near where the bumpers over lap the body.
** it's a good idea to have lots of rags on hand, Ones you can throw away. the glue balls will stick to everything, employees backs, Bosses dog...got in a lot of trouble over that one. and it seems the only way you will get them off your hand is by sticking them on to something else...lol bosses dog...lol
yep that too.
Good luck
Have fun
Rich
I have done this in the past to a 2000 Ford Crown's Vic. and a 2001 Ford Expedition's, both are dark blue.The most important tool you can use is the heat gun the hair dryer will not generate enough heat to do the job effectively.
Be careful not to over hear the paint, Not only will it paint blister but so will you skin.
What type of decals are you removing? reflective or non reflective most of what you see the market are vinyl. on the reflective decals it's a pain in the neck because the decal will always come off in leaving the backing on the vehicle this can be removed by using slow evaporating reducer letting it sit a few seconds the backing will loosen up and rub up in to a ball **or you can use the plastic knife/blade method mentioned earlier ( sounds like a good idea will try it next time). When this was done to my satisfaction I went over the whole veh. with #83, #82, # 80 . the only place you can see where the stripes were are near where the bumpers over lap the body.
** it's a good idea to have lots of rags on hand, Ones you can throw away. the glue balls will stick to everything, employees backs, Bosses dog...got in a lot of trouble over that one. and it seems the only way you will get them off your hand is by sticking them on to something else...lol bosses dog...lol
yep that too.
Good luck
Have fun
Rich