Old Decal Removal on Fiberglass Bodywork

[Eastcoaststeve]

Have a bunch of 20+ year old decals I need to strip off my fiberglass bodywork, looking for tips.

Thinking hair dryer/heat gun, but don't want to damage panels by getting them too hot.

Suggestions?

Thanks
Steve

[KM63]

I've had good luck soaking them first in something like Goo-Gone, then carefully using a heat gun (don't over do it) and a "plastic" razor blade to get things to lift. Careful not to melt the plastic razor blade, but it will probably happen a few times. Take your time! Once you get the decals off and all the residue with more Goo-Gone, you'll need to go through a buffing process with a good random orbital polisher. Start with very fine pads and work your way up carefully with various cutting compounds. Just my 2 cents... Good luck!

[SteveG]

Most adhesives weaken substantially when very cold, freezing makes decals, stickers, VHB, etc very easy to remove. Leave the body panels out on a freezing night and go to work in the morning.
Goof Off (a brand name) will remove any residue.

Heating will make the adhesive softer thus easier to peel but also makes it "stick" better.

Steve

[DanW]

Another alternative.

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Remo.../dp/B00063VT0G

[Steve Demeter]

This wheel will take ANY residue off. It is used to remove the remnants of the 2 sided tape that attaches body side moldings, which iss very tough stuff.

Used one in a previous life




https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40065358/

[Garey Guzman]

Another alternative.

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Remo.../dp/B00063VT0G

I'd tried that on old vinyl wrap on my trailer and maybe I was doing it wrong but it didn't work for me.

[EYERACE]

3M....fascinating. Maybe better than elbow grease

[Ian Lenhart]

I average around 3 vehicle graphic removals a week. Fiberglass is a bit difficult. Low heat! Just enough heat to soften the adhesive to peel. Too much heat will potentially soften the resin, bubble and sizzle and create a crusty surface that will need sanding, or discolor around the decal. It’s also really easy to gouge the heated fiberglass scraping using a razor blade (even the plastics blades that I often use). I don’t recommend scrapping. Use your fingernail and lift up a corner and carefully peel. Remember, removing the decal and leaving all the adhesive residue on the surface is better than too much heat causing surface damage. A good adhesive remover will clean residue up in no time. Rapid Remover is what I use (also works great for cleaning wheels after stick-on wheel weight removal).
I’m not a big fan of the rubber wheels mentioned previously.

[Earley Motorsports]

I use low heat from a heat gun (just warm the surface) and peel off with finger nail. Residue can also be removed with WD40.

[Jerry Kehoe]

Over the years I have found a little heat on the decals to pull them up then good old gasoline works better than anything to remove the adhesive and I have tried nearly all in the past.

[HazelNut]

heat gun and 3m adhesive remover available on amazon. try the heat gun first but don't get it too hot, that just weakens the vinyl and makes it more prone to tear. heat it a bit, let it cool, heat again repeat. can try peeling it up it might come up if you're lucky.

if its just tearing time for 3m. use a booger picker to punch a tiny pin hole in the plastic squirt nozzle. You don't need much, it's great stuff. squirt it on the sticker and soak a rag or heavy duty shop paper towel with it, cover the decal to try to let it soak in. try to pull it up and work in the 3m juice with a soaked rag as it peels up. I do a little side to side wiggle on the sticker as i'm peeling. Unfortunately they're probably brittle and are going to shred into teeny pieces. so just take your time and let it soak. once the vinyle is up smae deal with the 3m just let it soak on the remaining adhesive. If it's really heavy and/or a big sticker, soak and try a plastic scraper, then soak an elbow grease and a lot of box o rag if it's big.

[isagoodday]

I use the 3m wheel to get wheel weight residue off the inside of rims. Also used it to take off all kinds of residue....Including old PPF on a car which the adhesive was terrible.

Also Citrol will dissolve better than any solvent and is not rough on the skin like high VOC stuff. It is also MAGIC on rubber from the track! Unreal how it just erases the rubber better than anything. So combo of 3m wheel with small clean up with Citrol.

https://www.amazon.com/Schaeffers-Ma...008I6T7S4?th=1

[Jorma]

Plus one on the eraser wheel, I once removed the cracked, old graphics on a 40 foot motorhome after trying every other method....hint you need a corded drill, the battery versions will run down quickly.
Mike M.

This wheel will take ANY residue off. It is used to remove the remnants of the 2 sided tape that attaches body side moldings, which iss very tough stuff.

Used one in a previous life




https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40065358/