777kingsman
Member
Posts: 107
Love Ridin With The wife!
Riverbank, Ca.
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« on: March 07, 2013, 07:45:23 AM » |
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Bought a bike with some stickers or decals and am wondering the best way to get them off without damaging the paint. I understand WD-40 helps with the residue but was wondering how to best lift them off in the first place. Any help would be appreciated.
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Work like it depends on you, pray like it depends on God.
Psalm 91:14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2013, 08:43:19 AM » |
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Usually the easiest way it to hit them with a good pressure washer.
That is how we took (stickers, dealer names and etc) off of trade-ins with ease.
Then the wash boys had a special tonic someone fixed up and removed the left over glue. I think their concoction was WD-40 and a lite load of turpentine. I don't recommend the turpentine. Just a good WD-40 soaked rag. Lay it on the decal, let it work for a little bit and then rub.
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2013, 08:51:28 AM » |
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A heat gun may help, just go easy on the heat.
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 Troy, MI |
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old2soon
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« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2013, 09:33:18 AM » |
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When i was trucking and they were removing the old fuel stickers about 2 inch by 2 inch the shop guys used ether and a plastic scraper. IF you go the ether route-LOTSA ventilation and no open flames or sparks and no smoking. And when they got done the surface was like brand new. Whatever method you do use-take yer time-DO NOT get in a hurry. RIDE SAFE.
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2013, 11:32:45 AM » |
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Heat guns can ruin paint if you're not careful, a woman's hair blow drier on hi will not, and when it gets warm enough should mostly peel off. Then clean residue with a solvent, like gasoline. Then clean the gasoline off.
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2013, 01:42:08 PM » |
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Heat guns can ruin paint if you're not careful, a woman's hair blow drier on hi will not, and when it gets warm enough should mostly peel off. Then clean residue with a solvent, like gasoline. Then clean the gasoline off.
I don't know how many people have blown themselves up using gasoline as a cleaner, but it's not uncommon. I think I used Goo Gone on my gas tank sticker residue, but that was 12 years ago, so I can't be certain. |
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custom1
Member
Posts: 333
01 Interstate
SW Pa
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« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2013, 01:57:28 PM » |
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Hair dryer. Then get under an edge very carefully with a razor blade, and peel them off.
Then get yourself a quart can of 3M general purpose adhesive remover to clean up the glue. I forget the number off hand. I can look at it tonight. It will last you forever and you will use it more often than you think. I've had that can for over 20 years I'll bet.
I've used that method to take pinstripes off of a lot of cars over the years. And I took the chrome eagles off my side covers that way. With small things like pinstripes you don't even need the heat.
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John
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mmurffy03
Member
Posts: 791
03 standard
toms river new jersey
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« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2013, 02:51:40 PM » |
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i damaged my tank clearcoat by using products like goof off and goo gone and similar stuff but filnally went to a local body shop and they had a few spray bottles contents unkown they used to remove the tank stickers and glue residue try this first
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2013, 03:09:08 PM » |
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Heat guns can ruin paint if you're not careful, a woman's hair blow drier on hi will not, and when it gets warm enough should mostly peel off. Then clean residue with a solvent, like gasoline. Then clean the gasoline off.
I don't know how many people have blown themselves up using gasoline as a cleaner, but it's not uncommon. I think I used Goo Gone on my gas tank sticker residue, but that was 12 years ago, so I can't be certain. I understand Griph, I'm talking about a little gas on a rag, not dousing down the bike. I've used Goo Gone for an hour (and a lot of rubbing), or a gas rag for 20 seconds (and very little rubbing), your call. |
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YoungPUP
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« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2013, 04:32:47 PM » |
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The #M product is General purpose adhesive remover, #08984. Wet a rag with it and leave it sit on the sticker to soften it for a moment, then remove with a PLASTIC razor blade. THis product will also remove spraypaint if left to soak so use caution if any of your parts are self painted.
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Yea though I ride through the valley of the Shadow of Death I shall fear no evil. For I ride the Baddest Mother F$#^er In that valley!
99 STD (Under construction)
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Tailgate Tommy
Member
Posts: 1438
2000 Interstate, 2001 Interstate and 2003 Standard
Fort Collins, Colorado
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« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2013, 05:14:05 PM » |
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The #M product is General purpose adhesive remover, #08984. Wet a rag with it and leave it sit on the sticker to soften it for a moment, then remove with a PLASTIC razor blade. THis product will also remove spraypaint if left to soak so use caution if any of your parts are self painted.
What YoungPUP said. Got this from a paint supply house about 20 years ago.  |
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Brian
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« Reply #11 on: March 07, 2013, 05:32:59 PM » |
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The professional sign guys that come into the hospital uses good old fashion lighter fluid.
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Russell Rice
Member
Posts: 253
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!
Owasso, Oklahoma
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« Reply #12 on: March 07, 2013, 06:00:06 PM » |
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The professional sign guys that come into the hospital uses good old fashion lighter fluid.
As a Professional sign guy I have never used lighter fluid, you can bet that as of tomorrow it will be tryed ...... I have always just used WD 40  |
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #13 on: March 07, 2013, 06:30:31 PM » |
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The 3M adhesive remover and I believe lighter fluid are both naptha.
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Troy, MI |
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custom1
Member
Posts: 333
01 Interstate
SW Pa
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« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2013, 06:36:48 PM » |
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Just got home and looked at the can. That's the stuff. 08984. It doesn't harm factory paint. Not sure about spray can paint jobs. I wouldn't leave it on there too long.
If the adhesive is heavy it takes a little time and rubbing.
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John
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signart
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« Reply #15 on: March 07, 2013, 07:47:39 PM » |
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This sign guy uses a product called "Orange Peel" almost everyday. Will not harm paint, smells like oranges. Different adhesives respond to different solvents, this works on most & works fast. I use the 3M stuff to remove the Orange Peel residue, as it is oily. O.P. evaporates slowly, giving it time to act. 3M stuff evaporates too rapidly for heavy removal but great for final cleanup. I would give the WD40 a try before going out and buying something, you can let it soak, won't hurt paint.
If you haven't bought the 08984 in 20 yrs. get ready for sticker shock!
I use a heat gun to remove vinyl, and hold it back 12"-18" off surface as I work and apply the heat, (keep it moving) but I have to make production on large graphics. As long as my hand is not damaged, the paint won't be. Good hair dryer should work o.k. unless vinyl is dried out too much.
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BradValk48237
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« Reply #16 on: March 08, 2013, 10:35:08 AM » |
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Fingernail........  then WD 40....... Brad |
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9Ball
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« Reply #17 on: March 08, 2013, 10:53:32 AM » |
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Fingernail........ then WD 40....... Brad hair dryer, then as Brad suggests. cover the gas cap with a damp rag and direct the hot air away from the gas cap. this has worked on all my bikes. |
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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F6BANGER
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« Reply #18 on: March 08, 2013, 06:28:40 PM » |
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I just read earlier today that white vinegar works. I have not tried it.
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saddlesore
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« Reply #19 on: March 08, 2013, 10:22:34 PM » |
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As Young Pup said, use a plastic razor blade. Another thing to try is some mono filament fishing line. It can conform to the shape of the body etc. and it's not likely to scratch the paint.
You just have to get under the softened decal.
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DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
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Fritz The Cat
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« Reply #20 on: March 09, 2013, 06:17:23 AM » |
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Isopar works like magic if you can find it. I once stirred up a freshly paved road really good and got about a ton of asphalt down both sides of the car. I tried everything under the sun to get it off without damaging the paint and all I got was frustration. Then somebody who worked on copiers gave me a bottle of Isopar and that suff got it off like it was wet mud.
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Kunkies
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« Reply #21 on: March 09, 2013, 06:32:39 AM » |
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Agree with most, Go Gone is my favorite. I've NEVER had it destroy any paint on metal or plastic. Takes some slight elbow grease, yet not invasive.
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