Do not use a heat gun. The missus hair drier will do just fine. Just take your time peeling the vinyl. I can guarantee that the letters will leave a glue residue behind. Use mineral spirts to remove, as lacquer thinner will damage the paint. Also, if you have to remove lettering that has been professionally painted on with lettering enamels(One-Shot), Easy-Off oven cleaner will do the trick. Test an inconspicuous area first....
Andy