Graphics removal question

[Charles in SC]

Has anyone here ever had to remove vinyl graphics. What is the west way to do it? Heat gun, chemical, other? The thing has been on for three years.
Thanks in advance!

[Sojourner]

Electric Heat Gun.....once started to peal...pull back over slowly it own graphic to keep it from tearing until pull hard....reheat again and repeat steps. Works for me. You will learn how it work in time.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

Happy New Year!

[travelingfools]

I used a heat gun also... You'll have to find the happy medium for heat.. To much heat and the vynil will rip easy. I found that once you get started, keep the heat about 6 inches or so ahead of your work.

[paulcjhastings]

The first two responses are correct if you are patient, however if you want speed and have more money than time. There are air or electric stripping tools, they cost a great deal and make a mess but are much faster. 

[luvrbus]

Charles,3M makes a rubber pad that can be bought at any auto paint supply shop for around 10 bucks that will remove the lettering and fast too   good luck

[buswarrior]

And you need an acid wash to get rid of the glue.

You've seen trucks/trailers that have the letting removed, and that dirty area that shows where the letters were.

Check for truck and trailer de-identification services local to you, usually affiliated or the same folks that do the graphics and lettering.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Kwajdiver]

Everything said is true,,,, I tried them all,,,, then as I was very slowly pulling tape off, the paint peeled..... Long story short,,,, the bus has never been the same.

Good Luck,,,

Bill

[Hobie]

3M Adhesive Remover works well and you can get it at auto body supply shops. 

http://www.shop3m.com/62466749306.html?WT.mc_ev=clickthrough&WT.mc_id=shop3m-AtoZ-General-Purpose-Adhesive-Remover

Resist the temptation to use a razor blade.  Even if you are most careful, you will still nick the paint.   And once the decal is removed there will be an impression ( dent ) left in the paint.  Plan on sanding the area to bare metal if you want to completely remove and indication of the decal.  Good Luck.

[Jriddle]

Its the wrong time of the year, but did mine when sun was shining on the side of bus. Worked well for me. BW has it right you need to remove adhesive after.

John

[Hartley]

I used a spray can of JASCO paint remover. Done that on trucks and signs.

The trick is to only spray onto the vinyl material on not onto the paint.
The air temps need to be above 70 degrees too.

( Mask the areas with paper or plastic to prevent overspray )

The Jasco will soften the vinyl material to a rubbery feel. You can then pull and peel large areas off if you go slow and are careful. It will also soften the adhesive ubder the vinyl to the level of "rubbery snot" You can then use a 4 inch wide putty knife to gently lift and roll the "snot" off the surface. You must do it while the snot is still soft and gooey. Then clean up with laquer thinner on a soft cloth.

The commercial decal/vinyl remover tool costs about $450 and the wheels cost about $25 each. It will still damage the paint due to friction.

The heat gun Idea does work but really takes two people and results in burned fingers and paint....

If I find another way that works without extreme labor or extensive damage I will let everyone know....

Dave....