Stripping orginal Decals off aluminum!!

[alumacoach1]

Hey
Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove old decals off Aluminum Trailers? I have a 1971 Alumacoach that we are repairing and I would like to be able to take off the old Blue Stripes without scratching the aluminum. There is also old Duct tape residue around the windows too.. If anyone has any ideas I would LOVE to hear them!!!!

[flyfshr]

Well, i can tell you about the duct tape reside removal but not the stripes. For the residue, use a product called Bestine available in metal quart cans from an art store. Works better than any other product of tried. Absolutely will not harm the aluminum.

Brad
FF

[InsideOut]

Bestine removes stubborn sticky tape residue like a charm.
But I'm sorry to say, it won't get rid of any oxidation resulting from it, like what is found under old WBCCI numbers.

Shari

[hotLAVA]

What a coincidence.....

Just had a conversation with my brother-in-law who stripes cars as a profession. He was admiring our Argosy and going on and on about the stripes he'd like to put on it. He said the old come right off with a rubber wheel.

Now what a rubber wheel is or where you get one is your next queston.....

I would guess any sign store could help you out.

[thecatsandi]

De natured alcohol. if the clear coat is gone..... Acetone or MEK.
Wear a resperator or your will be feeling very fine shortly.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by hotLAVA

What a coincidence.....

Just had a conversation with my brother-in-law who stripes cars as a profession. He was admiring our Argosy and going on and on about the stripes he'd like to put on it. He said the old come right off with a rubber wheel.

Now what a rubber wheel is or where you get one is your next queston.....

I would guess any sign store could help you out.

3M makes the rubber wheels that you put on a drill to remove vinyl graphics and striping. Check with a local sign shop or sign supply company. Some automotive paint suppliers also carry them. A hair dryer and 3M all-purpose adhesive remover will also work well, but slower.

[peegreen]

Do not use Goo Gone - it will take the clear coat off, I know from personal experience.

[Sunshine Jim]

This works for bumper stickers, old masking and duct tape, reflective stripes etc. Basically anything held on with rubber type adhesives.

soak with old style paint thinner first if porous like ancient masking tape.

then gently heat with a hair dryer or heat gun.

Be cautious... Sneak up on the temp.

use the same thinner and a

soft flannel "white rag"

to remove the goo!

Worried about the thinner? use wax and grease remover instead.

Painted striping is a whole different ball of wax. it really depends on the specifics.

Is it on top of a clear coat or just a polished surface? how big makes a difference too.

Rubbing compound is sometimes the trick, used with exactly the right kind of pad, hand or power.

The wheel type stripe removers can generate enough heat to melt and remove paint if used too aggresively.

Don't be afraid to strip a panel if neccessary. Sometimes it's the easiest way.

[RadioGuy]

To remove the vinyl numbering and decals from the front and back top of the coach, I found a steam iron with a damp rag worked wonders and was very quick on those numbers where there was actually still some vinyl remaining. For those where most of the red vinyl had disintegrated, it doesn't work too well. I'm going to try the GOO GONE approach next since I want to strip the clear coat anyway. For the vinyl striping on the side, I simply painted over the vinyl with the same color of paint. The weather checked vinyl beneath the paint gives it a type of "orange peel" effect which is very acceptable to me. The considerations were the length of time it would take to get all of the striping off with a steam iron since it would break off in small pieces due to the weather checking.

[RadioGuy]

Originally Posted by RadioGuy

To remove the vinyl numbering and decals from the front and back top of the coach, I found a steam iron with a damp rag worked wonders and was very quick on those numbers where there was actually still some vinyl remaining. For those where most of the red vinyl had disintegrated, it doesn't work too well. I'm going to try the GOO GONE approach next since I want to strip the clear coat anyway. For the vinyl striping on the side, I simply painted over the vinyl with the same color of paint. The weather checked vinyl beneath the paint gives it a type of "orange peel" effect which is very acceptable to me. The considerations were the length of time it would take to get all of the striping off with a steam iron since it would break off in small pieces due to the weather checking.

Tried the Goo-Gone and got absolutely nothing from it. No removal at all.

[RadioGuy]

Originally Posted by lewster

3M makes the rubber wheels that you put on a drill to remove vinyl graphics and striping. Check with a local sign shop or sign supply company. Some automotive paint suppliers also carry them. A hair dryer and 3M all-purpose adhesive remover will also work well, but slower.

I found the rubber wheel at Amazon for $24 or at Advance Auto Parts, locally for $42.50 .

[rmkrum]

Try 'Rapid Remover'. It's what sign companies use to take sticky vinyl off signs.


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[Gosman]

Will rapid remover take the old blue off once the decal is removed. Would like to know before I make the purchase.
Please let me know ASAP
Thanks

[rmkrum]

I’ve tried it on the baked-on old red numbers that would not respond to heat gun, plastic razor blades and lots of “sailor vocabulary” usage. Spray on carefully, wait for the recommended time, and the adhesive then lets go and the vinyl peels right off.

Be very careful to keep it away from lettering and the like that you want to keep—like “Airstream” logos, etc.

Residue responds well to another shot of the stuff and gentle use of a plastic razor blade. (Get the ones with a thin sharp edge. The blunt ones are a waste of money. )

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

...
Residue responds well to another shot of the stuff and gentle use of a plastic razor blade. (Get the ones with a thin sharp edge. The blunt ones are a waste of money. )

Expired credit cards work too. Chop them in half vertically to secure the number info and you will have both rounded and sharp corners to work into the aluminum seams.

[Ultraclassic]

Originally Posted by RadioGuy

I found the rubber wheel at Amazon for $24 or at Advance Auto Parts, locally for $42.50 .

This may rip the clear coat off too