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s.s.sloan · 11-09-2007, 10:01 AM

While the stripe removal is coming along nicely using the wet towel/hot iron method. I am left with these black stripes above and below. They are so weathered they feel like "crust". My husband says it's paint not a decal. However the more weathered spots flake off with a scratch of my fingernail. Other sections look like they are still attached. After reading many,many posts on removing decals and clearcoat I'm wondering if maybe some wd-40 and a plastic kitchen scrubby might get this off? Or should it be removed when we apply the chemical for the clearcoat removal?

thecatsandi · 11-09-2007, 10:16 AM

A plastic scrubby will scratch the aluminum.
As far as chemicals. Acetone or MEK with a COTTON rag will take the paint and everything else off. They are non-corrosive. You will need to use it in a well ventilated area dn a resperator is mandatory.

InsideOut · 11-09-2007, 10:50 AM

If you are going to strip & polish anyway...the remaining residue can be removed with the stripper, no need to get the black off separately. Just make sure to remove any plastic lenses or trim that you don't want damaged - the Aircraft Stripper especially will eat them up.

Shari

s.s.sloan · 11-09-2007, 12:01 PM

thanks thecatsandi and insideout! It's great to have two options. I will use them as plan a and plan b. It will depend on how soon the clearcoat projects happen. If that takes way too long to get started I will probably take the strips off with the MEk. We used to have some handy but might need to get more since the move.

GoNomad · 11-09-2007, 02:28 PM

Remember to wear rubber glove when using MEK. Prolonged skin contact is almost as dangerous as breathing it in. When I was a aircraft mechanic we used to use MEK to wash our hand until the MSD sheets proved this to be foolish and dangerous. Liver damage is not worth it.

3Ms75Argosy · 11-09-2007, 06:45 PM

Wait! If it's truely a decal, you can buy an attachment that looks like a huge rubber eraser from an auto body shop around you. It's made to take off decals. I put one in a 1/2" drill (it's made for an angle grinder) and used three to take decals off a delivery van... no stripper needed! I'd try this first.
Marc