Decal Removal Help

[Ganglin]

We have an Excella stripe on the tank cover that was chewed up a little so I decided to replace it with the same striping. Thought I'd knock most of it off with a heat gun tonight (Airstream advised to do it this way) - NOT.

This is 45 minutes of work. Am I doing this wrong - should I be heating up a larger area from the backside and then trying to peel it off. Any thoughts appreciated......

[Lumatic]

I just tried some stuff called " Colonel Brassy" cleaner and polish. It worked better than anything else I have tried on the 36 year old red letter and WBCCI sticker residue on my 71. I got it at the town auto parts store but it is available on their website Vertex Industries, Inc.

[tin sista]

On our 96 Excella we recently used a hot iron (yes clothes iron) with a wet towel between it and the decal, held it on, moved it, then peeled off the decal. It comes off easily that way bit by bit. You have to hold the iron in one spot and then move it, we had to remove the swoopy graphic decals from both sides of the trailer as well as the decals along the top. Then we used WD 40 to get the residue off. Good luck with your project.

[Becky B.]

The hot iron with a wet towel worked best for me too. I used stripper & a razor scraper to get the glue off. Have fun!

[FreshAir]

Heat is a good start. It will loosen the glue and release the graphic. However, now you have the gooy stuff left. Try Gasket Remover found in auto supply stores. Graphiti remover, Goof Off will work to a degree. I square off a tongue depressor to use as a scraper. It will minimize scratching your aluminum. That glue stuff will not let go easily so stick with it. Pun intended.

[Ganglin]

OK - the decal face is off but it left a kinda foil backing adhesive. Also, decided to strip the clear coat off to polish and then reapply. If this is any indication of what it's like to strip a trailer - then mine will go to the Mother Ship for that job. Thanks for letting me vent.....

[Becky B.]

It's nothing like stripping the clear coat off a trailer. It doesn't come off the cover as easily as the trailer because the cover (at least mine was) is more heavily etched in the metal. I think it might even be stainless (you have to search on that fact). The trailer is a piece of cake--just a little patience!

[Ganglin]

Thanks Becky. Not sure what it's made from but I really screwed it up. Used stripper, that was a pain but finally worked after 3 coats. Then I hit the adhesive with oven cleaner whick worked great. Only problem is it turned the stripped metal cloudy and streaky. Trying to buff it out with tool box polish - we'll see.......

[Ganglin]

And that just made it worse - now it's streaky and has black stains....

Son of a pup......

[Becky B.]

Try cleaning the black stuff off with mineral spirits. I'm not sure what's in the oven cleaner--didn't try that, but did try to polish mine & it didn't do a thing (that's why I think it's stainless).

[Ganglin]

Think your right - it must be stainless under a clear coat like the rock guards. I may have just ruined a what 3 or $400 cover......

[Becky B.]

Maybe you could take a piece of very fine sandpaper & run with the grain & try to sand out the black streaks (if all else fails). That's what I did with my stovetop & the rust & black marks all came off very nicely. Good luck!

[Gosman]

Ok I have just used a hot iron and towel to remove blue decale not easy but then what is and it worked. But there is a spot I did try aircraft stripper and it did remove the decale blue, but you can see and feels like the blue sticker left clear light yellow looking anythoughts.
Now I have to remove the glue , thinking about a product repaid removal any thoughts , good bad??
Need help ASAP Thanks

[Gosman]

Thank you so so much Becky �� for your post on decale
removal with the hot iron and wet towel it work not real easy but what is .
Becky what did you use for the glue left once the blue decale was removed. I am thinking on a product RAPID REMOVAL your thoughts.
Also Becky before I found your post I tried the rear to remove the decale with what they call aircraft striper, well tons of work did remove Blue Decale but left what looks like clear raised blue decale and you can feel it with your hand . Clear yellow looking any thoughts on how to remove that , I did try iron and towel on that as well and no go . Any thoughts , will be waiting for your response.
Thank You
George