Hey Guys, got a situation. I just had Dental Surgery this morning. I'm home and cannot drive for the next several hours. I had a truck show up today at the shop with graphics that need to be removed. My boss just called me and said the vinyl seemed extra thin foil and is not removing from the paint. He used a Heat Gun and also a Steamer. I've never run into this and because I'm not there I cannot see exactly what it is. It sounds almost like a Gold Leaf or something! Is there a way to remove this? Has anyone had to do this before?
Thanks guys.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
First this to do is to make sure of what it is. If it was gold, most likely it wouldn't have an edge like vinyl. And gold would look like, uhm "gold". I'm sure your boss knows what gold looks like.
I think Alicia has a YouTube video on how to remove Gold leaf that would help your boss.
Posted by Mr Curtis Dalton (Member # 7547) on :
This stuff is actually silver, however, my boss was describing it to be flaking off in very thin sections. When we talked over the phone it sounded like Gold Leaf style... only Silver, that's what's confusing me. I never heard of this before. We need to remove it but it's causing a lot of problems with scratching n' such.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
If it is flaking off, then he still should see the size under it. I would have him take a picture with his phone or something and have him send it to you.
[ March 11, 2011, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
They use to make a Silver leaf Florentine Vinyl that was a Mylar. And YES it is a Royal PIA to remove. Try A Wallpaper Steamer and Grog Vinyl Remover.
Rapid Remover won't touch the stuff until you get the glue exposed.
If that Fails. The 3m Wheel eraser. But if your scratching the paint already I would be walking away from it. Or at least have a release from the client not holding you responsible.
That type of vinyl ruined the hood of my wife's Mustang. When ever using a Mylar or Metal base film we ALWAYS put it over a HiPo Base color to make removal possible.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
If it is gold or silver leaf ... duct tape squeegeed down tight will pull it off!
If not ... it is mylar! A major pain to remove (see previous statements.)
Wish your boss good luck and tell him you are in great pain and will be in tomorrow! Posted by Mr Curtis Dalton (Member # 7547) on :
Thanks for the info guys. Yeah, we do a lot for this company and they are good to us. We have three guys removing the graphic right now, it's happening very slowly. We'll just have to charge extra for this one. They have four more trucks for me to take care of Monday morning, they just needed this one for the weekend. I'm bummed because I'm still dizzy and messed up from the dental work, I would love to be there working on it with the guys. I cut the new graphic yesterday and I have a part-time guy there to install, he thinks it will get finished today.. I hope so. I'll be glad to work on the other trucks next week. I love good vinyl work. Thanks again guys.
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Si has the answer for real gold. If it's Mylar and it's adhered directly to the truck and not a layer of vinyl, I would suggest having more denatl surgery or a root canal until ALL the Mylar is removed. Seriously, it's a MEGA BITCH!
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
George is right. If you were there helping, you would wish for more dental surgery. Yep, that chrome look mylar crap is that bad. SignGold is no picnic to remove either. I always put either one on top of a layer of vinyl. The frustration factor is what gets to you and that's worth an extra $30 an hour.
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Duct tape Si! Yo da man! I was just on here to find out what would take the excess silver leaf off the places I didn't want it on a fender of a bike. Don't ask just typical Deri, jump in there whether you know what you are doing or not. Let's leave it at that. Yeah. Anyway thank you too much Si. I won't have to use my karate to get me out of this mess. Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
If you want Duct Tape on steroids, try Gorilla Tape... Gorilla tape Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Hey Dawggie ... that stuff will rip the door from it's hinges!
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Try duct tape and or this method,,
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
I always tell my clients that I put it on,I don't take it off!
I tell them to check with a body shop as there is always the chance of paint damage, they will hold you resposable.
Vinyl removal is one thing, paint is another. There is also the chance of paint removal while removing vinyl if the vehicle was not prepared properly before painting.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)