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Ganglin · 05-28-2007, 04:17 PM

Have the new floor in the bath and have started on the rest of the trailer. With the bath near done we are still struggling with the 70"s flower power tub appliques - they just don't want to give up.

Any one stumble on a successful way of getting these off. We probably have 3 hours into scraping already.

FreshAir · 05-28-2007, 04:54 PM

There is bumper sticker remover, then Goof-Off. I am having great success removing a POs silicone from the outer skin with gasket remover. That may work....no, scratch that. I just ran outside and checked the can and it says 'Protect non-metalc surfaces'. But while I was out there I checked the Goof Off can and that can be used on fiberglas and plastic. I spotted my can of Graffiti Remover and it is ok with painted surfaces and plastic and Fiberglas. But test to be sure. That you may have to go to a janitorial supply jobber.

Neil and Lynn.

Excella CM · 05-28-2007, 05:00 PM

I hope this suggestion is more than hot air, but have you tried a hair dryer?

Ganglin · 05-28-2007, 05:44 PM

No we've not tried a hairdryer - thanks for the idea. The graffiti remover is on the buy list also. I think the p.o. put these down with some additional glue. I've taken them off in homes before - nothing as hard as this.

Excella CM · 05-28-2007, 05:52 PM

Perhaps they are the dreaded Les fluers du mal.

JimGolden · 05-28-2007, 06:38 PM

Porter Cable dual action 5" orbital sander. Get some 150 grit disk. Easy on the pressure, it'll come right off

I was gonna recommend a 1hp hand held belt sander, but that could get hungry real easy and go MUNCH right through it.

Ganglin · 05-28-2007, 06:51 PM

Two of you - both in rare form tonight. Thanks for the good belly laugh both of you.

clancy_boy · 05-28-2007, 08:29 PM

I would vote for the Goo-Gone suggestion. I have removed some sticky stuff with that product. Apply and let it sit for a whille - for those maybe overnight. I have never had a surface issue with the product. Even removed some bumper stickers for my 66 Caravel and it did not harm the old clearcote. I don't recommend it for applications over clearcote, but I was going to remove the clearcote for polishing later so it did not matter to me what it did.

Becky B. · 05-28-2007, 08:47 PM

I just removed the stripes from my coach. What finally worked for me was an iron covered with a wet towel. That way, the decal didn't melt when it got hot. It just softened the glue underneath. I think that would work in the tub too. I don't think it would be hot enough to melt any plastic. Good luck!

SRoffe · 05-28-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

What finally worked for me was an iron covered with a wet towel. That way, the decal didn't melt when it got hot. It just softened the glue underneath.

I was going to suggest a heat gun. The hot iron and wet towel trick sounds like a winner too. I'm going to file that suggestion away in my gray matter.

safari57 · 05-29-2007, 07:00 AM

The problem I can see with the iron and towel is that as soon as my wife sees me with an iron in hand she will be running for the camera, then slipping various wrinkled clothes in my path with the hopes that I'll feel some level of guilt and press them while I'm at it.

What are you intending to do with the tub when these little critters are removed? Leave it natural, redo it, or put a different pattern on? (ok, just kidding on that last one). The reason I ask is if you are intending to recover it the light sanding idea might not be a bad one.

In the past the heat gun has worked for me but it has left small bumps in the area heated. Not sure if bumps is the right word, but it was like here were a couple of areas that would expand and then contract a bit more than others leaving a visible indentation - very small but also noticeable.

Let us know what works.

Barry

Ganglin · 05-31-2007, 08:06 PM

Here's something a former body shop owner at work gave me today to try. It's a decal and sticker remover that body repair shops use. He says put it in a drill and run it over the sticker to peel it off. Guaranteed it won't hurt the surface.

Will likely end up trying all of the above - that is except the suggestion from JimGolden

JimGolden · 05-31-2007, 08:56 PM

Gary, you do realize I was joking

Although, you could use the orbital with 320 grit disk, set the speed slow, and it actually wouldn't be too bad at all.

I'd try the other methods first though

Take care!

Ganglin · 05-31-2007, 08:59 PM

Yes I do and from a former Mountianeer to a current one - thanks for the humor.

JimGolden · 06-01-2007, 08:26 AM

Let's Go!!!!!!!

Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I'll see ya in the colliseum parking lot some Friday night for the pregame partying

juel · 06-01-2007, 10:15 AM

A heat gun is better than a hair dryer; however, you need to use caution and not over-do it. Watch what you are doing closely and those flowers should release and peel off. I took the vinyl wall covering off the walls of my Argosy with a heat gun. Please watch how close you get and how long you leave it in one place. Heat guns are of course hot, but they will probably make this job easier.

Ganglin · 06-03-2007, 07:09 PM

They are gone at last! I was right the PO did use some kind of additional yellow looking glue under them.

Ended up combining your ideas about heat and moisture, along with the goof off and a painters tool. We boiled a coffee pot full of water and poured about a cup on each decal - at the same time scraping with the painters tool and they came off. Then a little goof off to get the remaining adhesive.

Thank you all for the help - I didn't think they would ever come off. Photo below - along with the continuing floor project and the installed screen guards purchased from a fellow A/S Fourum member. Odd note on the floor. The plywood is dated 1-66 - stamped "interior use - exterior glue" - the trailer is a 71.

Thanks again!