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  1. #1
    Member
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    Default Old Decal Removal on Fiberglass Bodywork

    Have a bunch of 20+ year old decals I need to strip off my fiberglass bodywork, looking for tips.

    Thinking hair dryer/heat gun, but don't want to damage panels by getting them too hot.

    Suggestions?

    Thanks
    Steve

  2. #2
    Member KM63's Avatar
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    Default Old Decal Removal

    I've had good luck soaking them first in something like Goo-Gone, then carefully using a heat gun (don't over do it) and a "plastic" razor blade to get things to lift. Careful not to melt the plastic razor blade, but it will probably happen a few times. Take your time! Once you get the decals off and all the residue with more Goo-Gone, you'll need to go through a buffing process with a good random orbital polisher. Start with very fine pads and work your way up carefully with various cutting compounds. Just my 2 cents... Good luck!

  3. #3
    Late Braking Member
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    Default Cold is your friend

    Most adhesives weaken substantially when very cold, freezing makes decals, stickers, VHB, etc very easy to remove. Leave the body panels out on a freezing night and go to work in the morning.
    Goof Off (a brand name) will remove any residue.

    Heating will make the adhesive softer thus easier to peel but also makes it "stick" better.

    Steve

  4. #4
    Contributing Member DanW's Avatar
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    Default rubber wheel

    “Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty.” -Peter Egan

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  6. #5
    Contributing Member Steve Demeter's Avatar
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    Default 3M

    This wheel will take ANY residue off. It is used to remove the remnants of the 2 sided tape that attaches body side moldings, which iss very tough stuff.

    Used one in a previous life




    https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40065358/

  7. #6
    Contributing Member Garey Guzman's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DanW View Post
    I'd tried that on old vinyl wrap on my trailer and maybe I was doing it wrong but it didn't work for me.
    Garey Guzman
    FF #4 (Former Cal Club member, current Atlanta Region member)
    https://redroadracing.com/ (includes Zink and Citation Registry)
    https://www.thekentlives.com/ (includes information on the FF Kent engine, chassis and history)

  8. #7
    Contributing Member EYERACE's Avatar
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    Default

    3M....fascinating. Maybe better than elbow grease

  9. #8
    Senior Member
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    Default Decal removal

    I average around 3 vehicle graphic removals a week. Fiberglass is a bit difficult. Low heat! Just enough heat to soften the adhesive to peel. Too much heat will potentially soften the resin, bubble and sizzle and create a crusty surface that will need sanding, or discolor around the decal. It’s also really easy to gouge the heated fiberglass scraping using a razor blade (even the plastics blades that I often use). I don’t recommend scrapping. Use your fingernail and lift up a corner and carefully peel. Remember, removing the decal and leaving all the adhesive residue on the surface is better than too much heat causing surface damage. A good adhesive remover will clean residue up in no time. Rapid Remover is what I use (also works great for cleaning wheels after stick-on wheel weight removal).
    I’m not a big fan of the rubber wheels mentioned previously.
    Ian Lenhart
    Level 11 Creative
    www.level11creative.com
    lenhart06@yahoo.com

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  11. #9
    Contributing Member Earley Motorsports's Avatar
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    Default

    I use low heat from a heat gun (just warm the surface) and peel off with finger nail. Residue can also be removed with WD40.
    Graham

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  13. #10
    Senior Member Jerry Kehoe's Avatar
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    Default decal removal

    Over the years I have found a little heat on the decals to pull them up then good old gasoline works better than anything to remove the adhesive and I have tried nearly all in the past.

  14. #11
    Senior Member HazelNut's Avatar
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    Default

    heat gun and 3m adhesive remover available on amazon. try the heat gun first but don't get it too hot, that just weakens the vinyl and makes it more prone to tear. heat it a bit, let it cool, heat again repeat. can try peeling it up it might come up if you're lucky.

    if its just tearing time for 3m. use a booger picker to punch a tiny pin hole in the plastic squirt nozzle. You don't need much, it's great stuff. squirt it on the sticker and soak a rag or heavy duty shop paper towel with it, cover the decal to try to let it soak in. try to pull it up and work in the 3m juice with a soaked rag as it peels up. I do a little side to side wiggle on the sticker as i'm peeling. Unfortunately they're probably brittle and are going to shred into teeny pieces. so just take your time and let it soak. once the vinyle is up smae deal with the 3m just let it soak on the remaining adhesive. If it's really heavy and/or a big sticker, soak and try a plastic scraper, then soak an elbow grease and a lot of box o rag if it's big.
    Awww, come on guys, it's so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays.

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