BIG RED #'s

Chris Deeley · 11-09-2003, 02:10 PM

I am preparing to polish my unit but can't get the previous owner #'s off.

Any Suggestions?

87MH · 11-09-2003, 04:44 PM

You might try to wet sand the area around the numbers.

I have done a few areas on the 345. Started with 1000 grit on the bad areas, worked up through 1200, 1500, 1800, and 2000.

Use lots of water while sanding (a spray head barely misting works well).

The sand paper is available at most automotive supply houses.

Finish with a power polish of some sort.

thenewkid64 · 11-09-2003, 04:48 PM

Before you resort to mechanical means..........

Try an Iron and a wet towel. Place the wet towel over the number and use the iron to create heat and steam. This will soften the glue and make the plastic from the letters pliable to an extent. This should allow for a good removal, then you can use a solvent to remove the glue residue.

The thought of sanding the skin scares me

87MH · 11-09-2003, 05:10 PM

Correct on the mechanical removal. Actual removal of the plastic and glue was accomplished by "Aircraft Stripper" - nasty stuff. Contains methyl chloride. Don't get any on your hand, can't tell it's there for a while, and then you can't stop the burn.

Don't ask how I know.

The sanding was done lightly for removal of the "shadow" left after actual removal of the plastic (vinyl?) numbers. Actually, on mine, TWO sets of shadows were present.

I tried polishing the shadows off prior to sanding, but was not successful. A heavy sanding was not necessary, and the entire area polished out quite nicely with not much effort.