What's the best and quickest way to remove hp vinyl on truck surfaces and prepainted aluminum. We have used heat guns and big erasers. We have used Rapid Remover and turpentine for remaining glue. Any other suggestions or tricks would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Bill
I always maintain that the steamer is the absolute only way to remove vinyl. Safe, cost effective & complete. I have removed 1000's of yards with this tool. Even vinyl 12 years old...no problem.....less than $100.
Regards,
Posted by Dan Donnelly (Member # 94) on :
Rick, Can you explain the steaming process and where can I get the Bamboo Steamer?
Thanks! Dan
Posted by Greg McRoberts (Member # 3501) on :
Hey Rick,
I remember you posting about your steamer earlier this year I think.
What kind of steamer are you using? Is it like the car interior shops use? those are a lot more than a $100 though.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Yes Rick, got a link to see such a thing?
Another thing I have used are those heating lamps bodyshops have. Heats a larger area all at once and no need for a little heat gun with a frustrating gremlin type cord.
#1 method is still a good quality heat gun. A good quality is key because they are hotter.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
[ November 16, 2004, 01:15 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Yes
I am a distributor for them, but, you can get them direct @ 800-525-4339. It removes vinyl, adhesive and all. For best results, hold it an inch from the vinyl, and peel an edge up with a chisler, and pull the vinyl loose. Watch the steam, it's hot!
Donna: The down side of a heat gun or a heat lamp, is that in certain circumstances, it makes the adhesive more agressive.
[ November 16, 2004, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
My vote is still for the "heat tree lamps" as Donna speaks of, they are SAFE,QUICK,CLEAN. We bought 3 different types of steamers, did not like the results of any, even the 600.00 dollar one.
Rapid Tac dosn't sell them, so you will need to visit a bodyshop supplier in your area.
Roger
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Rick,
How does the steamer differ from a heatgun? Seems like they both apply heat....and the steam cannot penetrate the vinyl.
I'm not disputing it works...just genuinely interested in how it works *differently*.
If it does work better at removing vinyl AND glue....I want one.
Can you describe it's operation, how it works differently, and at what speed you can remove vinyl while using it?
Does the glue come off *with* the vinyl or do you have to steam it after the vinyl comes off?
Thanks Rick - - this could be a really neat gadget to add to the arsenal.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
LOL! What's wrong with a plain old belt sander?
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Roger
I have removed lots of vinyl over my 25+ years and the steamer is far and away the best tool out there. The lamps create agressive adhesive sometimes and will play heck on fresh paint.
Todd
The steam DOES penetrate the vinyl and loosen the adhesive. Rather than detaching the vinyl from the adhesive, it detaches the adhesive from the painted surface. I have two of them...they are just the ticket. I have sold many to my body shops, dealers, etc
The steam shoots thru holes or nozzles. It penetrates the vinyl releasing it with the adhesive in one piece. I removed the graphics on my old shop van in about i.5 hours! Adhesive and all!
[ November 16, 2004, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by William Bass (Member # 4929) on :
It sounds really neat Rick. Are you using the Jiffy Steamer (the one you linked to)? As that is only like $65. I'd be willing to experiment for $65, especially if it makes vinyl removal easy. I have only done that once (like 7-10 years ago), that was NO FUN! (Rapid Remover made removing the residue a breeze, tho).
[ November 16, 2004, 04:35 PM: Message edited by: William Bass ]
Posted by Denis E. Renaud (Member # 4610) on :
I use a wallpaper steamer ($15 day rental)to remove full bus wrap from last federal election in June. the steamer has an attachement that is about 12" x 8" that spreads the steam. One Person handles the steamer in a down motion while the other one pulls down on the vinylpeeling aproximately 14" wide at a time. No glue left. I had purchased 4 gallon of rapid remover just in case this would not work. But did not use any.It took 2 person 12.5 hours to completely strip an MCI Coach! we did two of them Good money!
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Bless your heart, Rick, seems like the way to go. Probably will still work with a couple layers stacked, right?
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
William
You will use very little Rapid Remover, (Sorry Roger ) Yes, I use mine many times a month. It is identical to the one shown on the website.
For the record, I use Rapid Tac products. This just makes it easier. And it does work with multiple layers.
[ November 16, 2004, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i just bought a steamer at home depot for like $40...will that work? it suppose to be for cleaning shyt...like any of us have time to clean.
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
No apology needed Rick, its a matter of what works best, I too was considering selling the steamer units, I bought several and tested but didn't find any that worked as fast and neat as the heat tree lamp system.
Guess its about "what works best for you" !!
Roger
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Rick why dont you become a merchant for the steamers?
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
No need, Randy. You can buy em direct...without me. I just happen to use and believe in them.
Karyn: I don't know....give it a try, and let us know what happens.
[ November 16, 2004, 11:11 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
I removed graphics from a 2000 Chevy pick-up today. 16 minutes complete, and ready to re-apply new graphics. Steamer used less than a cup of water.
Regards,
Posted by Nancie W. Phillips (Member # 3484) on :
Hey Rick...I'm kinda a multi-task kinda person.For those of us who live and work in the same place,do you suppose the kind of steamer you use in your shop could be used to remove wrinkles from clothes too?(LOL) It's kinda the reverse of Karyn's question...er, at least related.
Posted by Nancie W. Phillips (Member # 3484) on :
OOops! I should have read the link you provided before asking my question...That's what they're marketing it for. Duh! Sorry!
Posted by Mark Perkins (Member # 296) on :
Rick, Thanks to Avery I'll have to redo a lot of large graphics on some 18 wheeler trailers, will a small unit like you have do ok on a big area like that?
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
I do not own one, but have heard good things about them. At least it makes an unpleasant job easier Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Will the steamer work to remove reflectives also?
Posted by Darryl Gomes (Member # 98) on :
I thought that there was a liquid that you could roll on over top of the vinyl, let it sit and then pressure wash off. I seem to remember one of my suppliers mentioning that. That was about 7 years ago, can't remember the name or which supplier.
Posted by William Bass (Member # 4929) on :
Here's a question that's sort of a side issue to this one (and that doesn't affect me now, but could in the future):
Is there anything one can do about the image of the vinyl graphics left on the vehicle due to the fact that the paint under the vinyl didn't age as terribly as the surrounding paint? More importantly, perhaps, SHOULD one do anything about that?
The one vehicle I removed old vinyl from and relettered (approx 7 to 10 years ago), I didn't do anything because I figured anything I would try would make a bad situation worse. Seems like after I relettered, it wasn't all that noticeable anyway, but still, I'd like to hear what others do after they peel the old vinyl off.
[ November 19, 2004, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: William Bass ]
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
William
That condition is called "ghosting" It seems that with increased usage of clear coat paints, that has been dramatically reduced. In the old days, I would reccomend a good coat of Simmoniz to lessen the condition.
Most generally, you can remove graphics and see very little evidence of them.
[ November 19, 2004, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
William, As I tell customers, the car is continuously getting "sandblasted" while the area under the vinyl is not. The area under the vinyl is also being protected from UV, which just compounds the problem.
Like Rick said, a good car finishing liquid of some sort will do wonders to revive some of the finish. An automotive store will have something good.
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) Yes, I use mine many times a month. It is identical to the one shown on the website.![[Cool]](cool.gif)