posted
We have two 9' x 53' semi trailers coming in for full graphics application....only thing is they currently have full graphics on them now. We want to remove the old graphics first. There is no way we are going to apply the new graphics over the old because it is cracked and coming off everywhere. Thought of steam cleaning but don't want to harm the original paint on the trailer. Some other threads I have looked at have used large lamps to remove the vinyl and Rapid remover to remove the adhesive but no replies on how this worked. I have removed many small jobs but nothing this large. Any advise out there would be appreciated!!!
Jim
-------------------- Jim & Chris Hetzler JC Hetz Studio 513 W 3rd St. Muscatine, IA 52761 563-263-2803 jhetzler@machlink.com www.jchetzstudio.com
"We are the one that makes you look good!" Posts: 137 | From: Muscatine,Iowa,USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
I just removed a reflective graphic from a trailer It was because of product failure of a brand new scotchprint..it delaminated the graphic was 10'x16'..one side we used a torch and adhesive remover 18 man hours A bank of heat lamps would surely help. I bet after you do this removal..it will be your last...
posted
You said It Mike, we removed graphics from a 53 ft trailer ealier last year, what a horror story. it took 2 guys a full week, they quit after that. there's no easy way, you used to be able to get a Chemical to spray on there, but it's volotile and hard to get know.. if you can find it, it works great.. ask one of your suppliers.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Don't know what you call it or where to get it, but there is an air powered eraser that works like a charm and covers you with dust all at the same time. It looks like a die cutter but the head is shape like a mushroom and is actually rubber and it takes the vinyl off without harming the sub surface. Literally turns the vinyl to dust. I would check the auto paint supplier, because that's where I saw it, at a body shop. They took off the stripes on my car in about 54 minutes.
-------------------- Bob Nugent Hotrodsonline.com Gainesville, GA 30506 hotrod@hotrodsonline.com Posts: 46 | From: Gainesville, Georgia | Registered: Mar 2003
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You might want to check this thing out: Vinyl Zapper. (Don't know if one of the Letterville merchants carries them or not).
I can't endorse the product, exactly, other than to say that I saw it demonstrated at the USSC show a couple of years ago and was impressed.
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Screw it; sandblast the darn thing and repaint the trailer.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I think the Eastwoord Company, which carries auto body stuff ( also striping brushes & One Shot ) carries those eraser machines.
I have a question, & I hope it is not stupid. Actually, I was afraid to post the question, but since it is similar to the original one, here goes~
I have never done a body wrap of vinyl on a vehicle, but I have wondered- What if the company sells the vehicle & they buyer has to remove all that vinyl? What do they do? I mean, I just cannot imagine trying to get off all that vinyl!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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Jim check this website may be your ticket only thing is this company does the install maybe you can find another and get in the middle http://www.epicmediagroup.com
posted
In june 2004 we had elections up here. We got a job of taking off 2 full bus wraps (Full size MCI Coaches). I had gotten ready with a full arsenal of removers, heat lamps, mechanical strippers etc. The thing we ended up using was a wallpaper steamer. It has a steaming surface of about 14" x 24". One person would hold the handle and slowly move it downwards while the other person would peel off section of 24" wide vinyl in the same direction.
It took 2 persons 12 hours per bus to peel and clean.
P.S. We had bought 4 gallons of "rapid remover", but only used up about 1/2 gallon. the steaming method left little or no glue
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Denis, that works great on Jobs that are'nt all that old, like 5 yrs and earlier, but if you have to remove vinyl that is cracked and dried out, well that's another matter. Jim just make sure you do your homework first.
Update... Here is the name of the manufacturer and Product that removes the vinyl.
"XXL Decal Remover" it is made by MOD Industries out of IL. Ph. 708-392-9679. I had an old can out back, a 5 gallon can.
This stuff you spray on, leave it for 20 minutes or so, then the vinyl starts to crinkle, then all you do is peel it off, it's effortless. Warning it stinks, and it is a chemical, so proper protection is a must. I wish I had this when i did the trailer. I'm going to try and get more.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
high preasure-high heat power washer, one 53' trailer 2 days. Reflective is nightmarish! Zip Strip makes spay on adhesive remover that is very aggressive.
These jobs require an open ended price, If it's to big to bother with.... why bother, find a fleet painter and let them deal with it. Many trucking fleets will just paint over vinyl graphics. YUK!
BOONE!.... call me next time, I'll talk you down off the scaffolding!
-------------------- "No excuses!.... No regrets!..."
posted
Neil.. ive used that decal remover and i got it from EM plastics... used it once to remove large decal from a fuel truck...wouldnt of happened without it....
those erasers are good for small area's, i agree, with that trailer you'd go wonky...
-------------------- Del Badry philmdesign Sylvan Lake, Alberta Posts: 636 | From: Sylvan Lake, Alberta | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Not that I'm suggesting this but I watched a guy remove decals off a trailer one day using one of those weed burners that attatch to a small propane tank (like the one's on a barbecue grill).
He'd heat up a section about 3' x 3' and the stuff was literally falling off. I probably watched him through the fence for 15 minutes and he'd already finished 1/4 of the trailer.
I wish I'd been able to get a closer look to see if it was doing any damage to the trailer.
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
what Pat eludes to is torching the vinyl to get it good and hot to easier strip off. it's very common to remove full wraps this way. if done correctly you will not harm the vehicle. this is our prefered method.
also, like Joey mentioned, charge them for your time. if the customer used good quality premium vinyls, you should be able to handle this within a reasonable amount of time. if it was a low grade vinyl, you may be in for trouble.
there are also industrial strength steamers that will warm the vehilce and vinyl for easy removal, but if you don't do much de-identifying or stripping, the cost is pretty expensive.
i have also witnessed use of a heavy chemical to soak the vinyl/adhesives and literlly scrape off the chemically decomposed gunk off with a squeege. only the reclaim of the mess falls into a "grey area" with HAZ-MAT and OSHA regs.
-------------------- Scott Pagan Admark Graphic Systems Admark Motorsports Graphics 9700 Metromont Ind Blvd Charlotte, NC 28269 www.admarkgraphics.com Posts: 325 | From: Charlotte, NC | Registered: Nov 2001
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When I remove them I pullit the booth and bake it at 180 then turn it down to about 130 and start pulling I know it sounds like its hot but its not that bad as for the sandblasting if you go that route becarfull on the metal realy thin and somtimes aluminum I would try thf chemical if all else fails
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
It seems like these guys are always "accidently" removing graphics by pressure washing the vehicles. I would try a good 3000 psi pressure washer and blast sideways, under the vinyl. There are nozzles that spin the water at the tip, and they work much better than just a simple spray tip.
-------------------- Gene Golden Gettysburg Signs Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-0200 genegolden@gettysburgsigns.com
"Art is knowing when to stop." Posts: 1578 | From: Gettysburg, PA | Registered: Jun 2003
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