Removing Numbers and Decals

Phil Tribby · 05-27-2002, 08:15 PM

Does anyone know how to remove the numbers and circle decal that are on the front and rear of my '72 27ft overlander? I believe they are from the Walyy Club - we are not members and am not sure if I am ready to join. This is our 1st tin-twinkie and am getting an education on repairing what previous owners patched.

FrankR · 05-27-2002, 08:35 PM

Most body shop supply stores have a product made by 3M to soften and allow for easy decal removal. The decals are also easily removed with a hair dryer or heat gun. Lots of care and patience required, as painting and repair are expensive.

83Excella · 05-27-2002, 08:41 PM

Phil,
You can remove the decals by warming them with a hair dryer, if needed use a plastic scraper NOT a metal one then you can use wd40 to remove any residue if necessary. wd40 is waterbased so it shouldnt hurt your plasticoat.

If you do decide to join the WBCCI you can use the same numbers on your trailer if their not currently in use. That would be one reason to leave them on.

John

Rog0525 · 05-27-2002, 08:49 PM

I have found that Johnson's Baby Oil and some old fashioned elbow grease does a nice job of removing leftover decal adhesive.
It worked well on my '60 Overlander.

moporolo · 05-28-2002, 08:07 AM

I removed decals from a 1960 A/S. Although I was able to remove the WBCC sticker and numbers, the glue apparently etched the surface. Never could get rid of the etching. Might have to refinish the area to remove etched area.

**jcanavera** · 05-28-2002, 08:39 AM

WBCCI's official answer is to use a hair dryer. Keep us posted on your eventual solution.

Jack

Inland RV Center, In · 05-28-2002, 12:12 PM

Removing the numbers and decals should not be done with a hair drier. You can burn the plasticoat with it. Scraping the numbers will scratch the plasticoat.

The only tool you will need is a "steam iron." Take a wet rag, like a towel, place it over the number or decal, and place the steam iron on top of the wet towel, making sure that the towel stays wet. That will soften the numbers as well as the original adhesive. Then simply peel them off. Takes a little while, but does a great job, and causes no damage. I have been using this method for 36 years, and it has never failed. Andy

CO_Don · 01-08-2003, 09:20 PM

Thought I'd let you know about my apparent success at removing those old numbers from your "new" A/S. I've seen a lot of poor attempts in the parks and was hesitant to start.

I've got an '85 Excella that has seen a lot of sun. Initially, I used the single edge razor to remove the outer portion of the number. Looks like everyone has this one down. Keep the razor at about 10 degress to keep from cutting into the aluminum coating. Next I used "Goof Off," a product available in all of our large retail stores. Spread a lot on with a rag and then used the razor to get the large amount of the "goo" off. Used a rag with Good Off to get the residual off. Finally, I used some water to wipe the area to clean the residue.

Results is that I cannot see the numbers and the process did not effect the clear coat on my unit. Make sure that you test the process on your unit before mass application. Clear coat may vary or may have been touched up with another product.

Process may take you a while (an hour or so per cap) but it seems to work.

ALANSD · 01-12-2003, 04:40 PM

I removed an old american flag sticker with similiar method, but it did pull off the clear coat in that area, and left a ghost of the flag - which I actually like.. I cleaned the area and it looks like a polished american flag image now.

I do have a WBCCI round sticker on the nose I would like to remove, but I am worried it will leave a scar as well.

DIMMER · 01-12-2003, 08:03 PM

I like Zippo lighter fluid....

CO_Don · 01-12-2003, 10:27 PM

I had great success on the rear of the unit and good success on the front. Back, you cannot see the "image" of the numbers and the front there is a "shinny" image of the number. Getting the backing off the unit without hurting the clear coat is what makes it worth the while. Have a good one!

68 Overlander · 01-12-2003, 11:25 PM

I had great success with a heat gun, goo-gone, and a plastic scraper (read fingernail). Some of the numbers just lifted right up, while others wanted to camp awhile longer. The liquid goo-gone is much better then the gel type. There is no quick removal process if the sun has had it's chance to bake them on. I have ghosting on my 68 and a tad on the 94 but neither hurt the clearcoat. The new letters will hide most of your work if you changing numbers and all of it if you are replacing them. A hair dryer will also work to soften the letters but takes a little longer.
Randy

hhuber · 08-11-2003, 01:31 PM

Hi all,
What can I clean the skin with after removing the old WBCCI numbers? There is an outline of what looks like crud and stickey stuff where they were. I'm going to polish soon but in the meantime I have to stick my numbers on. Going to a ralley!

Heidi

gwsullivan · 08-11-2003, 02:33 PM

I read you can use kerosene to remove tar from Airstreams so it would probably work on the crud you are talking about. I use Coleman fuel on mine as it is a high grade kerosene.