Decal removal

[SRehberg]

I see in an earlier post the member was trying to apply decals. I have just the opposite problem, I can't get the #@$%# off the sides of my 5th whl with fiberglass sides. We bought the rig used a couple of yrs ago and the decals are splitting etc. What is the best way to get these things off and still not damage the siding?

 

[RKohn]

It's called Goo Gone...

Miracle yellow liquid comes in a small clear bottle. Takes most off without much trouble.

 

[SRehberg]

Is it available at hardware or automotive stores or? I appreciate the information, those decals are a bear to get off without scratching the siding. Thanks.

 

[Sojourner]

Be advised that before you try any solvent on a large area to test a small spot somewhere and see how it affects the finish on your fiberglass siding. Better yet, contact the manufacturer and see what kind of solvent they recommend to remove the decals on their product. Some manufacturers warn against using certain products on the fiberglass finish.



Another thought is one of those rubber wheels/discs that body shops use to take off decals and badge and moulding adhesive. I'm not sure what they're called, but they are made by 3M specifically for this purpose in auto body shops. The material on the disc reminds one of those white gum erasers for erasing ink. You chuck this 'eraser wheel' (as I call it) up in the appropriate rotary air tool and then proceed to 'rub out' the decal or adhesive. The trick is to run it at a very low speed, something under 200 - 300 rpm - or even much less - I found very slow worked best for me. It is way cool how it works, and quick too. I completely removed the 'Dodge' and '4x4' decals off the back of my Ram with one in about 6 or 7 minutes. Clean as a whistle, no residue left behind whatsoever either. Thanx to my buddy Steve.



I've got a 8 y. o. 5er I need to remove the stripes and graphics off of and I intend to use this 3M disc (because I want to re-paint it, not because the decals are cracking). I'm not sure how one of those 3M discs would work on decals that are cracked like yours, but considering how fast it takes them off it may be worth a shot.



HTH

 

[SRehberg]

Do the discs wear down quickly or last quite awhile? Are they available at places such as Napa etc or someone that carries automotive paint supplies? I have to go down the entire side (times 2) and of course across the back and front. The Mfg. got carried away with the decals, but they use to look nice. Our rig is 11yrs old, so they are brittle I'm sure. Thanks for the information on the tool that is designed for the removal.

 

[Sojourner]

Check this out



On their website they say to run it at 4k RPM but I found it heated up the decals and adhesive too much when you spun it too fast.



You can locate a source on the 3M website.

 

[cyborg]

Home Depot has it in a big spray bottle. Worked great to get the "Weatherguard" billboards off the tool box.

 

[2broke2smoke]

guys guys don't use solvents ...



get a hairdryer from your wife ...



heat it for 30-60 seconds pulls right off ... on my sport i laid the dryer on the truck at a 45 degreee angle factory stickers pulled right off



have won quite a few "barley pop" bets and never failed to get a sticker off



good luck!

 

[LHallmark]

guys guys don't use solvents ...



get a hairdryer from your wife ...



heat it for 30-60 seconds pulls right off ... on my sport i laid the dryer on the truck at a 45 degreee angle factory stickers pulled right off



have won quite a few "barley pop" bets and never failed to get a sticker off



good luck!

Pay attention folks !!! He knows whereof he speaks !!! I have used this system for years on Boats, Autos, RVs, Airplanes, even window decals on occasion.

In fact the wife got me my own hair dryer so i would quit taking hers .

 

[SRehberg]

I'm willing to try the heat, I have a heat gun (type for removing varnish and paint) but was afraid to use it as it generates a lot of heat. The hair dryer would probably put out a lot lower heat so it wouldn't hurt the siding. If that doesn't work, then I'll go to the solvent method or disc removal system. The decals make the trailer look like s. . t and needs new ones.

 

[kcv67]

I had the cracking decals also. I borrowed my friends steam cleaner and held the tip about a foot away and heat up the area. Then I sprayed from the side and the stickers came right off. Be carefull some of the tips will take the paint too.

 

[SRehberg]

Never thought about a steam cleaner, I have a pressure washer but it wouldn't apply any heat that would help lift the decals. I'm sure a tool rental would have something like that; what type of trailer siding were your decals on?

 

[kcv67]

I removed the stickers off a fiberglass door and the aluminum siding.

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks Casey.

 

[bombero]

Recently I was at the Automate factory get some work done. I asked them to replace the very minor cracked tape. No way they didnt want any part of trying to do that. That led me to believe that I not going to try either.