removing decals

RatLabGuy

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
What's the best way to remove decals/bumper stickers w/o leaving a nasty residue or making a mess?
on one hand, doing i twhen it's hot (liek today, GEEZ!) seems practical, but on teh other, this makes the glue very guey and messy.
 
I've always used the "sticker/label remover" from the parts store. It works well and it's in an aerosol can.
 
Brake cleaner works well for me, I have to replace safety decals on equipment quite often, I peel as much as I can, shoot some brake cleaner, then peel some more, occasionally use a razor blade as well ( appearance isn't such a big deal on industrial equipment, so long as all the safety decals are in place)
 
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goo gone, it's an orange oil based spray on glop of stuff, u just spray it on the decals, let it sit fer a while then catch the end of the decal with yer fingernail or such & it'll peel right off, I use it fer liscence plate decals every year. hope this helps
 
X2 on the goo gone.
 
Mineral Spirits... same thing that comprises 75% of all "bug & tar removers"...

BTW, was 100% better removing the flooring adhesive you saw yesterday than brake cleaner!
 
x3 on the goof off if it's on a window.

if it's one of those icky carmax stickers on the paint, spray a tiny bit of wd40 on a q-tip and rub at the edges of the lettering, peel the letter off, then rub the residual adhesive with the wd40. it's gentle enough not to mar the paint, but gets all the crud off.
 
Caver Dave said:
Mineral Spirits...
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... also eats paint? Dosn't seem real ideal if concerned about the finish.

It is good stuff though, I've used it to desolved all kinds of stuff. Best was when we removed the carpet in the hallway, to find the original hardwood had had a foam adhesiv pad stuck to it for about 20+ years.
 
i dont think mineral spirits will eat car paint. its not nearly as powerful as laquer thinner.but im no expert either..
 
RatLabGuy said:
... also eats paint? Dosn't seem real ideal if concerned about the finish.
Click to expand...

NO, it doesn't "eat paint"... if you read the content labels of MOST auto bug/tar removers = Mineral Spirits.

Just used it to remove several long strings of something the wife ran over in the mimi-van... looked like a combo of grease/tar slung up the side, but it came right off with minimal effort. If your worried, try it on the $30XJ or 4rnr first...
 
As long as the paint is cured ( ie, more than a few weeks old ) mineral spirits shouldn't bother it ( unless it is real cheap paint) Caver is right, it is the active ingredient in bug and tar remover.

really, it'll depend on the adhesive on the decal as to what works best, I will tell you all brake cleaners are not made the same, the stuff I have for work it pretty stout stuff ( banned in 6 states ) but it's what they give me for work, so I use it.
 
Wal-mart sells heat guns for 20 bucks. ive had mine for 2 years still works great.
 
3M decal/sticker removal disc part# 74**, not sure but can probably google it. Mine is 1yr old and still great. Works within 4000rpm no to exceed. Then use PB blaster adhesive remover to get the gooy stuff if left. Will not hurt paint.

Got it from Fastenal. works great on pinstripes as well
 
braxton357 said:
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X 11ty billion if you have the $150 to blow on one.

If not, screw all the other chemicals and get a can of Bestine

apapercement.com_bestine.gif


drip a little around the edges, let it start working, then peel it off, keep a rag saturated in it it rub/squeeze on the glue as you peel it off.

If you can go ahead and peel the sticker off in one piece, do it then go back with a cloth and Bestine and polish the residue off.


OH and if the sticker is old and brittle good luck with out that powertool above! ;)
 
dealership i work at we use heat guns(or hair dryer) to get it off and adhesive remover liquid to get the sticky crap off
 
Green ford said:
Here's the best thing to get rid of them forever! Also good for fast weekend grilling! :driver:
FlameThrower.jpg
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Meh, leaves a kerosine taste to the food, though it does sear nicely :flipoff2:
 
holy old posts batman.

I think I asked this when removing the decals from the $30XJ.
 
go to your local carquest or napa and get a eraser wheel. fits in the end of your drill and kicks butt. what ive used @ body shops for 10yrs.
 
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