Decal removal suggestions

Truckfiend · 10-01-2009, 02:39 PM

Does anyone have any suggestions for removing factory decals? My truck is covered in decals and I need to paint this thing bad! I've tried a heat gun which removes the decal and leaves all the adhesive. Then used goof off on the adhesive which doesn't work at all, so I tried MEK and that works better but not great. At the rate I'm going with this it's going to take me a month. Are there any magic tricks out there for this that I haven't heard of yet??

Oh and I'm also removing the chrome from the rocker which is backed with foam.

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Shawn6string · 10-01-2009, 03:09 PM

Try a stripe remover wheel, think you can get then at napa or other auto/paint stores. It goes on your drill. Go slow and not a lot of pressure, let the wheel do the work. Should get 90% off then use some thinner or MEK. Do a small spot and stop to see if it is taking your paint off as well. I have seen it take the paint off freshly painted vehicles or ones with cheap paint. By the looks of yours you should be fine. Once you rip the chrome off it probably will get what ever is holding that crome on as well.....good investment.

tc · 10-01-2009, 03:20 PM

x2 on the eraser wheels

bain · 10-01-2009, 03:54 PM

half my truck was a decal when i got it. I tried everything..a heat gun worked the best..

now the rockers are a PITA!!!

Truckfiend · 10-01-2009, 05:08 PM

Thanks guys! I'll see if I can find one of these eraser wheels and give that a shot. I assume the wheel is only to get the adhesive off and not the decal itself? So still use the heat gun to pull the decal?

I have removed one piece of the chrome using the heat gun and it came right off, but only about 30% of the foam backing came off with it. Maybe I'll have better luck on the others.

olharleyman · 10-01-2009, 05:55 PM

x2 on the heat gun use a plastic blade to help remove the adhesive from the body then you can use some rubbing compound to try to match the fade from the decals.

Red_Dragon · 10-01-2009, 05:59 PM

I used the wheel, then oven cleaner to get the sticky residue off. Try a test spot first with the oven cleaner.

Truckfiend · 10-01-2009, 06:06 PM

Oven cleaner? Thats a new one. I'll try anything at this point. I'm not concerned about hurting the paint really because as soon as the decals are off I will be repainting it. Rattle Can!

James Dean · 10-01-2009, 06:12 PM

Decal removal Instructions.

Removal of decals varies based on condition of striping on the vehicle. In general the newer the decal the easier they are to remove and the least amount of image left behind. Experience is really the only way to assess the best way to remove a stripe, if even possible. Here are some suggestions though.

If a stripe is still soft, pliable and not dried out, removal can be done with a heat gun and some pulling. Gently warm the area ahead of you and pull on the stripe with and shallow stretching motion. Do not pull out and away from the vehicle (such as at a 90 degree angle) for this will leave behind more glue for you to clean off. After stripe is removed use a solvent such as Xylol or Xylene which can be found at most hardware stores. Be careful however, this usually won't hurt factory paint, but it might damage repaints. Test an area first. If the rag drags on the paint or starts to leave marks, use a milder solvent. Soak the glue area till it softens with a solvent wet rag. Rub glue to remove. Repeat till glue is gone. A vinyl squeegee may help to scrape or wipe softened glue off, but use extreme caution.

If stripe is dry and or cracked, a vinyl and adhesive removal tool, such as the 2 versions by 3M, will be needed. They can be used by a do it yourselfer, but is better left to a professional at a stripe specialty facility such as Auto Trim Design. These methods can quickly damage paint (especially older or repaints) if not familiar with there effects. After stripe and glue is removed with removal wheels, there will be some glue residue that will need to be cleaned in the same manner listed above. Older stripe however will leave a scar in the paint that will either need to be recovered or repainted. Adding a little rubbing compound to your final cleaning rag will help diminish the scar and equalize the difference from the exposed paint and the stripe covered paint.

Most importantly, be careful, use gloves with any solvents and work in a well ventilated area. Never use a razor blade of any kind to remove stripes or decals. They can leave nasty gouges and cuts in both you and your paint.

Red_Dragon · 10-01-2009, 06:14 PM

Spray it on and leave it for about 5 minutes, then scrape with a plastic putty knife. Do this about three times to get everything off. I read about it on here and was skeptical myself but pleasantly surprised when it worked.

Truckfiend · 10-01-2009, 06:27 PM

James- What do you mean by a "shallow streching motion"?

James Dean · 10-01-2009, 08:19 PM

Don't pull out and away, stay low (20-30*) and stretch. This will leave less glue behind that pulling out and away. By the way we sell the eraser wheels if you can't find then locally. Steam from a clothes steamer works really well on older graphics too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3M-St...motiveQ5fTools

Adam F · 10-02-2009, 09:26 PM

If you dont care about the paint, brake cleaner will take the adheasive right off. Spray it and wipe it off with a rag. I do it all the time at work. Paint always bleeds off though.

Truckfiend · 10-05-2009, 07:11 PM

This eraser wheel is awesome! It doesn't do a thing for the rocker panel problem but it makes short order of the decals and the adhesive in one shot.

10-01-2009, 03:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shawn6string Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 203	Try a stripe remover wheel, think you can get then at napa or other auto/paint stores. It goes on your drill. Go slow and not a lot of pressure, let the wheel do the work. Should get 90% off then use some thinner or MEK. Do a small spot and stop to see if it is taking your paint off as well. I have seen it take the paint off freshly painted vehicles or ones with cheap paint. By the looks of yours you should be fine. Once you rip the chrome off it probably will get what ever is holding that crome on as well.....good investment. __________________ 88 4runner 3. don't know--- project 88 4runner 4 cyl auto - Bone stock Plus BFG 31/10/50 JACK'EM HIGH CAUSE FAT CHICKS CAN'T CLIMB Shawn

10-01-2009, 03:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,377	x2 on the eraser wheels __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

10-01-2009, 03:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
bain Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: lenoir, NC Posts: 333	half my truck was a decal when i got it. I tried everything..a heat gun worked the best.. now the rockers are a PITA!!! __________________ geared,locked, lifted, snorkeled, protected and beat all to hell and I'll never use the search button!!! Last edited by bain; 10-01-2009 at 03:56 PM.

10-01-2009, 05:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 3,291	x2 on the heat gun use a plastic blade to help remove the adhesive from the body then you can use some rubbing compound to try to match the fade from the decals. __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 88 stock 4runner 3.0 auto for now 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq.

10-01-2009, 05:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Red_Dragon Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maricopa, AZ Posts: 8	I used the wheel, then oven cleaner to get the sticky residue off. Try a test spot first with the oven cleaner. __________________ 1992 4runner V6 Automatic 4x4 32x11.5x15 BFG KM2

10-01-2009, 05:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Truckfiend Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mountlake Terrace, Wa Posts: 26	Thanks guys! I'll see if I can find one of these eraser wheels and give that a shot. I assume the wheel is only to get the adhesive off and not the decal itself? So still use the heat gun to pull the decal? I have removed one piece of the chrome using the heat gun and it came right off, but only about 30% of the foam backing came off with it. Maybe I'll have better luck on the others.

10-01-2009, 06:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Truckfiend Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mountlake Terrace, Wa Posts: 26	Oven cleaner? Thats a new one. I'll try anything at this point. I'm not concerned about hurting the paint really because as soon as the decals are off I will be repainting it. Rattle Can!

10-01-2009, 06:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
James Dean Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 583	Decal removal Instructions. Removal of decals varies based on condition of striping on the vehicle. In general the newer the decal the easier they are to remove and the least amount of image left behind. Experience is really the only way to assess the best way to remove a stripe, if even possible. Here are some suggestions though. If a stripe is still soft, pliable and not dried out, removal can be done with a heat gun and some pulling. Gently warm the area ahead of you and pull on the stripe with and shallow stretching motion. Do not pull out and away from the vehicle (such as at a 90 degree angle) for this will leave behind more glue for you to clean off. After stripe is removed use a solvent such as Xylol or Xylene which can be found at most hardware stores. Be careful however, this usually won't hurt factory paint, but it might damage repaints. Test an area first. If the rag drags on the paint or starts to leave marks, use a milder solvent. Soak the glue area till it softens with a solvent wet rag. Rub glue to remove. Repeat till glue is gone. A vinyl squeegee may help to scrape or wipe softened glue off, but use extreme caution. If stripe is dry and or cracked, a vinyl and adhesive removal tool, such as the 2 versions by 3M, will be needed. They can be used by a do it yourselfer, but is better left to a professional at a stripe specialty facility such as Auto Trim Design. These methods can quickly damage paint (especially older or repaints) if not familiar with there effects. After stripe and glue is removed with removal wheels, there will be some glue residue that will need to be cleaned in the same manner listed above. Older stripe however will leave a scar in the paint that will either need to be recovered or repainted. Adding a little rubbing compound to your final cleaning rag will help diminish the scar and equalize the difference from the exposed paint and the stripe covered paint. Most importantly, be careful, use gloves with any solvents and work in a well ventilated area. Never use a razor blade of any kind to remove stripes or decals. They can leave nasty gouges and cuts in both you and your paint. __________________ Custom painter and Toyota Stripe and decal supplier. http://jamesdeancreations.com Custom Safari and Crawlin accessories. http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/4runner_project.htm

10-01-2009, 06:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Red_Dragon Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maricopa, AZ Posts: 8	Spray it on and leave it for about 5 minutes, then scrape with a plastic putty knife. Do this about three times to get everything off. I read about it on here and was skeptical myself but pleasantly surprised when it worked. __________________ 1992 4runner V6 Automatic 4x4 32x11.5x15 BFG KM2

10-01-2009, 06:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
Truckfiend Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mountlake Terrace, Wa Posts: 26	James- What do you mean by a "shallow streching motion"?

10-01-2009, 08:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
James Dean Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 583	Don't pull out and away, stay low (20-30) and stretch. This will leave less glue behind that pulling out and away. By the way we sell the eraser wheels if you can't find then locally. Steam from a clothes steamer works really well on older graphics too. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3M-St...motiveQ5fTools __________________ Custom painter and Toyota Stripe and decal supplier. http://jamesdeancreations.com Custom Safari and Crawlin accessories. http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/4runner_project.htm Last edited by James Dean; 10-01-2009 at 08:20 PM.*

10-02-2009, 09:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
Adam F Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 2,398	If you dont care about the paint, brake cleaner will take the adheasive right off. Spray it and wipe it off with a rag. I do it all the time at work. Paint always bleeds off though. __________________ 88 4Runner. 350 V8, R150 5-speed. SAS, 36" TSL's, elocker rear

10-05-2009, 07:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
Truckfiend Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mountlake Terrace, Wa Posts: 26	This eraser wheel is awesome! It doesn't do a thing for the rocker panel problem but it makes short order of the decals and the adhesive in one shot.

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