How can I remove the factory graphic off the sides of my ext cab pickup? Hairdryer/ plastic scraper, and some adhesive remover? Also if I do successfully remove the graphics, will it look dumb? Just curious if the paint beneath the graphic will stand out against the faded/original paint on the rest of the truck. The truck is white, but I am still curious. Thanks

 

If the stripe is in good shape keep it. The stripe is what makes a toyota a toyota. But if you have to take it off check out bone collectors build thread and ask him.

 

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/astro-pn...FfNxOgodvhcAIQ

Most auto parts stores sell them also. Yes, the paint will be a different shade.

I don't like the decals either.

 

The TOYOTA tailgate decal is staying for sure. That is the decal that makes the truck. The stupid "shooting star" graphic on the side is to "90s" for me. I am trying to clean my truck up and the faded blue graphic isn't doing the truck any favors. lol

 

x2, couldn't have said it any better. I'm a huge fan of the stripes. It just makes these trucks stand out even more among the other cars on the road. But if it's really faded and/or peeling, then it's time to remove it.

From Page 27 of my build thread, post #540:

 

I agree with the heat gun (I never thought of the wooden spoon, but that sounds like the way to go!). A heat gun can easily get hot enough to wreck the paint, so when I do that sort of thing I wear nitrile gloves and keep my hand near the work point; if too hot for me, I move the gun along.

 

The heat gun may work for you, but it didn't for me. Neither did alcohol or goo gone. Check out the 3M strip removal tool on amazon. It comes with a mount for a regular drill and does wonders to remove the stripes. Numerous guys on here that have removed their stripes have spoken very fondly of the 3M wheel.

 

Hmm. Ok. I think I am going to try a heat gone and I have some adhesive remover than go from there. If that doesn't work I will look into the 3M wheel. Does the 3M wheel use a lubricant when removing decals?

 

I'm with the guys saying leave them in place unless you're painting the rig or something. i tried removing decals years ago on my old 87 that had some chipped/peeling graphics on the sides. tried heat gun, hair dryer, goo gone and a few other solvents, scrapers, hand-peeling, etc. it was a total pain in the rear, the glue underneath is ridiculously strong and seemed impervious to the solvents I was using. in a few spots the decal took paint off with it - didn't really matter on my old oxidized peeling paint job, but might for yours. i didn't know about the 3M wheel at the time, but I'd give it a shot before the other methods. Another method I hear works well is steam heat if you have access to a hand steamer.
good luck!

 

No lube for the eraser wheel. I did both sides of my 88 many years ago in under an hour using two wheels and a drill. They're ~$10 in the parts store, or look into the link I posted earlier as one example. Fast and can't hurt the paint.

 

Ok I will def look into the wheel than!

 

Here is a side view of the graphic. Its not in bad shape for being 20 years old. I just don't care for them.

 

heat gun on low and try no to to go/stay too close to paint.
goo gone/goof off for ripped or stubborn sections.
paint beneath stripes may appear fresher/newer(mine did)
in a couple weeks go over the body with a rubbing compound to even out paint and make looke the good again. i hate stripes unless the bushes did em.

 

Same here. Nothing wrong with a little pin stripping by mother nature

 

x2 on the rubber eraser tool for the drill

 

I tried this with my first Toyota when I was 16 I pressure washed it off the fender then that was th only part that budged. the door and rear panels never got close to lifting, I only made it far worse

 

Just ordered this, so hopefully it will do the trick!

 

I went to the carwash and the pressure washer tried to take mine off I like my stripes, they were in decent condition, but it seems the winter got the best of em. At least James Dean makes replacements!

 

Mine are pretty much shot. one side just has the glue from the strip on it :/

 

Folks on these boards have and do pay good $ for your graphics...