Decal removal
#1
Administrator
Thread Starter
Decal removal
I know this has been discussed before inREALLY old threads, but for the sake of new meat- If I wanted to remove the 4x4 decals from the bed of my truck, how should I go about it? I’ve seen those decal removing rubber wheels for a drill but that seems like it might tear up the paint.
Recommendations?
Recommendations?
#2
Member
I just peeled mine off on a warm day then used Turtle Wax Rx label and sticker remover. The 3M adhesive remover removed some of the clear coat and messed up my door pillars when I used it to take off 3M tape adhesive so I wouldn't use that. I used the TW Rx to take off glue and goo from badges and dealer stickers also.
#3
Senior Member
Decal removal
I'll be replacing the name plates on my '97 F150, Name plate & decal removal are the same.
Start with a heat gun or hair dryer, nothing too hot. Heat the decal up until you can
carefully pull a corner up to remove it. Take it slow & easy. After the decal is removed then
you can use a "eraser wheel" (from any auto parts store) & remove the remaining adhesive.
With name plates you can use fishing line to cut through the adhesive. Good luck
Start with a heat gun or hair dryer, nothing too hot. Heat the decal up until you can
carefully pull a corner up to remove it. Take it slow & easy. After the decal is removed then
you can use a "eraser wheel" (from any auto parts store) & remove the remaining adhesive.
With name plates you can use fishing line to cut through the adhesive. Good luck
#4
Senior Member
I removed mine with a heat gun. Low setting, slow and easy. Put the heat to it for about 2-3 mins a side. You'll see it start to bubble or curl a little when its ready. I had no residue or discoloration on mine. Good luck
#5
If you have a heat gun, just wave it over the decal, from about a foot away, on the low setting if your heat gun has multiple settings. Doesn’t take long, maybe only fifteen seconds at a time. If you don’t have a heat gun, a blow dryer will work, but you may have to play around with the setting.
Important tip to remember - you don’t need to warp or curl up the edges of the decal, you just need to soften it a little, and get a fingernail under it. Then it’ll peel off. Be patient, you can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away when you use too much. It takes a couple minutes to develop a technique and get a feel for it, and then you’ll have no problems on removing any decals. I always like to use the sticky side of the decal I just peeled off, to “dab” off any remaining glue residue, and then clean up with some WD40 on a microfiber cloth.
Once you’ve done one or two, you’ll have the whole process down to about three minutes, per side.
Here’s an inexpensive heat gun from Harbor Freight, that is more than adequate for this type of task.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-w...112-63104.html
Important tip to remember - you don’t need to warp or curl up the edges of the decal, you just need to soften it a little, and get a fingernail under it. Then it’ll peel off. Be patient, you can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away when you use too much. It takes a couple minutes to develop a technique and get a feel for it, and then you’ll have no problems on removing any decals. I always like to use the sticky side of the decal I just peeled off, to “dab” off any remaining glue residue, and then clean up with some WD40 on a microfiber cloth.
Once you’ve done one or two, you’ll have the whole process down to about three minutes, per side.
Here’s an inexpensive heat gun from Harbor Freight, that is more than adequate for this type of task.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-w...112-63104.html
Last edited by Wanna Ride; 06-09-2019 at 10:02 PM.
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13XLTEco (06-09-2019)
#7
Member
Some are making this super easy task harder than it is. On days when the outside temp is below 70 or so, might need to blow a lil heat on the sticker to make it peel easier.
Last edited by 13XLTEco; 06-10-2019 at 02:15 AM.
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#8
I’ve had some that peeled off nearly as easy as static clings (well, not literally), and others that were more stubborn. Thirty seconds with the heat gun makes it as easy as reciting the alphabet. But I’m sure the OP appreciates hearing the details, since he inquired.
Last edited by Wanna Ride; 06-10-2019 at 12:34 AM.
#10
And it wasn’t pompous... I was just replying to the comment you initiated. The OP asked for help, several offered advice. No need for negativity.
Last edited by Wanna Ride; 06-10-2019 at 12:56 AM.