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| | | | Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 | The 72 GMC I just bought was owned by a contractor who had his company info on the side of the doors in stick on vinyl lettering. How do I remove the vinyl lettering without harming the paint?
53 Dumpy
1951 Chevy 3100 "Ernestine"
1970 Chevrolet C10 "Ol' Blue"
1940 JD "long-hood" B
1959 Jeep FC-170
1960 IH B275
2013 Chevy Silverado
2023 GMC Denali 2500HD
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | the only way stuff like that might come off is to heat the vinyl with a heat gun, carefully pick away at an edge to get started, and peel each letter off
not much chance of getting it all off, especially if the lettering has been on for a long time - also remember that the paint under the lettering has been protected from UV, so if you do get it off, the difference in the paint will make it look the same as before!
much easier to just sand the doors and repaint
Bill | | | | | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered | I'm not certain but I think they use some type of rubber wheel you can put in a drill.I've seen this used on pinstriping. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 23 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 23 | Contact a auto body supply house they will have the tool skippy was talking about | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 887 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 887 | The rubber wheel for a drill is called an 'eraser' and it is used to remove pinstriping and vinyl decals.
After you've got the decals off you'll probably need to hit the rest of the door with rubbing compound/polish, etc... to get everything looking the same- I really like the McGuires products for that.
I wouldn't try the heat gun 'cause enough heat to loosen the decal is probably enough to damage the paint. If you are stripping it anyhow, you might not care though.
'51 Chevy 1/2 ton w/'62 261, HEI, offy, fentons, dual carter/webbers, t-5 & 12 bolt posi
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 | We use the eraser at the dealership to remove decals for the customer or to replace a defective one. They dont remove paint or even scuff it as I can see. The greatest thing since WD 40 in my mind.
I didn't do it, no one saw me do it, you can't prove anything! "Bart Simpson"
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,384 | the erasers work great, but if there is a lot of decals you will be there a while. All of them I get are always plastered front to back with enough stickers to make a rice grinder jealous. Take a good hot sunny day, spray on some soapy water & use a razor blade to get a corner up, then peel them off slowly. most of the larger business decals come off pretty easily. you can also buy a plastic razor blade that won't scratch. use 3M adhesive remover for any leftover residue, won't hurt paint. brian | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 427 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 427 | A hair dryer set on hot and plastic razor blades work the best. You don't even need the razor blades just heat the decal with the hair dryer and start peeling.
Wilbur | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | and be sure to let us know your results!!  Bill | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 100 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 100 | 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
A man is like an old truck... He will rust out before he wears out...
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