There have been quite a few posts about steamers and removing vinyl over the years, but I never took them seriously.
I was removing wallpaper in my sons room and nothing was helping remove this aweful wallpaper. Desperation led to buying a Wagner wallapaper steamer. within 5 minutes I was amazed at how fantastic it worked at removing not only the wallpaper but the adhesive as well.
Leaving behind a residue free surface, I became excited about trying it on vinyl. Wouldn't you know it but I had just taken in a 5'x10' lexan face that needed the vinyl removed off of the background. The background was covered in 5 year old translucent vinyl. It came off so quick I'm reluctant to post the actual times
The vinyl actually rolled right off, no glue no mess, clean lexan.
Now when a customer wants vinyl removed it's actually going to be a positive thought instead of a dreaded thought.
IN closing I will state it was nice not to use a heat gun and breath chemicals for hours. I love rapid remover but it does a number on my lungs.
Thanks to all those that have posted about steamers before and the almighty "search" button.
[ August 18, 2006, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3489 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
I've never used those heat lamp trees so I can't comment on those, I can see where each tool has it's advantages. I'm not throwing out my heat gun or my rapid remover but it is nice to know steam DOES work.
I remember I had a digital print to remove off of a Interstate Battery truck last winter, it was so shot it took me 6 hours ot remove 1/4" pieces and that was with not only a heat gun but heat lamps as well. The real test will be the other face to go with this one. It faces south and the vinyl is so bad it is cracked everywhere. I was planning on replacing the lexan but I wlll try the steamer as an experiment.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
---------------------------------
"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
i got some to remove and i got a 2800 pound pressure washer.....should work ya think? i used to sell STEAM JENNY'S i imagine that would do a great job on vinyl......
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I post about this years ago and no one would believe me so I left it alone. I have remove full digital prints on a 53 foot trailers this way. Down side is you will get wet and you have to watch out for the steam, it burns. But a little water never hurt anyone!
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
I'm gonna recomend against a steam jenny on vehicals... I removed reflective stripes with a steam jenny once on a dodge durango.. Boy those stripes came off fast and nice, and when the water dried.... The clearcoat was gone too.. Boy that was a bad day
Jason D
-------------------- Jason Davie 193 Front Street Deposit, NY 13754 Posts: 976 | From: USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
The nice thing about the Wagner wallpaper steamer is the plate. Yes you do have to be careful but the square plate you hold keeps the steam going in the direction of your surface and keeps the splash from you.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Keep us posted when you try it on different surfaces and vinyls (HP and reflective). Don't intend to be a nay sayer, but it seems that calendared vinyl off of polycarbonate or acrylic would be the easiest to remove. It sounds promising, though.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Where do you get these things? I gotta have one.
-------------------- 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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posted
pressure washer dont work fer schit!!! i can remove em faster with a razor blade.......
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Bob - what about if you want to remove an element from within/amidst other vinyl elements? Is it possible to steam off the one without ruining adjacent portions of a graphic?
Thanks.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Dave, I'm not sure how you plan on using portable air conditioners and outdoor patio sets to remove vinyl, unless you just sit out on the patio and higher some kid to do all the gruntwork.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
sorry...wrong link. I must have copied the wrong page.
edit OK.. I went to the page again. Stupid Home Depot web site. I did a search and the links to get there don't change the address. It is a Conair hand held fabric steamer. I typed in steamers in the search box.
[ August 22, 2006, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5401 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I picked up the steamer that Judy showed and used it last night on a truck that had a ton of lettering. It took a bit longer to get the steam coming out of the machine than it mentioned in the instructions (it says 20 min and it was more like 35-40 min) so I started without the steam. The vinyl came off ok without so I just kept working.
I put the steam plate against the tail gate and held it for a little while and the vinyl started coming off (with a razor blade) like butter, however the adhesive was still on the vehicle??? This theme seemed to repeat itself for the rest of the lettering. The plate works great on flat surfaces but obviously a bit more difficult on curves. On some of the bigger stuff I got the corner started with the razor then pulled the letters off and that did a better job of removing the adhesive.
It took me about an hour to remove all the lettering and another 1.25 hrs to remove all the adhesive with rapid remover which I was trying to avoid, soooooooooooo What was I doing wrong? Not leaving the steamer on long enough? Bueller? Bueller?
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
posted
Brian, I have only used my steamer once. I used it on a 8'X 8' sign which had a large red panel. It removed all the vinyl and most of the adhesive. I know I would still be removing the vinyl and adhesive if I had not used the steamer. I haven't tried it on a vehicle yet. I'll let you know how it works when I do. Seems like verticle surfaces and curves would cause a problem. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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If it works anything like the vaporizer in my daughters bedroom, add a few pinches of salt to the water. If your water supply is low on minerals adding the salt will help it heat up much more quickly.
-------------------- Brian Snyder Sign Effectz Woodbridge, New Jersey Posts: 723 | From: Woodbridge, NJ USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Yep, I had a PITA job removing vinyl from a van a while back. Finally broke down and bought the Wagner steamer from Lowes. I love it and so does the crew.
posted
i treid teh steamer deal long ago.. IT didnt work any better than the other things ive tried. What does work well is getting the vinyl to just the right temp. Just before it melts but just after it gets a little softer.
Too soft and it tears and breaks. Just a tad cooler and it peels right off adhesive and all. Even a littel cooler and it sticks just like always.
I tried using a halogen work light and it seemed to get the temp just right when placed just the right amount away.
My feeling is that anything that get the perfect temp will be what we want.
I just unwrapped a trailer using the light and the proper temp and it went much better than just rippping off the old vinyl..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Here's a bonus if you're outside using the steamer and you notice weeds growing in your parking lot cracks, lay the steamer down over the weeds and steam the heck out of 'em. It's a 100% Natural weed control. I'm serious... kind of time consuming though!
-------------------- Joy Kjer Art On Display Signs 4001 Randolph St Lincoln, NE
"My life has a superb cast, but I can't figure out the plot." Posts: 445 | From: 4001 Randolph St. Lincoln, NE | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
Glenn do you get the adhesive off with the steamer too or have to go back and remove it with adhesive remover? IF it did come off with the vinyl, did you leave the steamer on really long or just grab a corner and it peeled right up?
Curtis, I wonder if you can check the temp with a infrared thermometer to determine what that special temp is? Have you thought of that?
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
posted
Hiya Brian, I haven't tried the steamer yet. But, the next job I get that requires a lot of vinyl removal, I'll give it a shot. From my experience, the type of vinyl and how long it's been on the surface will make a big difference on how easy it is removed. When working with 3M (Gerber, etc) and Arlon/Calon HP, I normally don't have problems with a fairly clean removal. I've had issues with other stuff, However, it was intermediate that's been on a sign for 3 or more years, or I couldn't confirm the brand. Along with temperature, your technique may help some too. When I'm peeling off vinyl, I try to stretch it off. Rather than peeling straight back from the surface, I'll pull at a 45% to the left or right, which seems to help with the adhesive removal. After all the vinyl is off, I just clean with rapid remover.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I guess I fall in with the ones that didn't have a great experience with steam, I bought (Rapid Tac bought) 4 of these different small steamers, they took (me&my son) twice as long as the "heat tree lamp" from the body shop supplier.
BTW the heat tree lamps heat in 2 minutes or less(a 5ft.X5ft. area)And only cost $250.00, NOT 1000.00 as some would have you believe! Check out the video at; www.rapidtac.com
Roger
[ June 22, 2007, 01:01 AM: Message edited by: roger bailey ]
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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quote:Originally posted by Brian Diver: Glenn do you get the adhesive off with the steamer too or have to go back and remove it with adhesive remover? IF it did come off with the vinyl, did you leave the steamer on really long or just grab a corner and it peeled right up?
I would say that about 90-95% of the adhesive came up with the vinyl. There were a few spots here and there, but Rapid Remover made quick work of them.
I only needed to leave the steamer on for maybe 10 seconds at a time. I found that if I place the steamer on the next section as I was removing the portion I had just steamed, the work went very quickly. I used a 'Lil Chisler to get the steamed vinyl started and then pulled with my fingers. As I went along, I realized that I didn't even need to do that. I just used the 'Lil Chisler to push the vinyl right off.
posted
The Steamer is just another tool to have in your arsenal to remove vinyl. I would never say it is useless, because it isn't. To say it is useless shows you may of had a couple situations that it didn't work and just plain gave up. It is a very effective tool just like a heat gun, heat tree lamp or vinyl eraser wheels.
I will most likely use the steamer first on large areas before other methods.
And my recomendation comes from initial successes.
I will add I did have a couple situations where the steam was not the best way to remove the vinyl, but overall average has been in it's favor.
[ June 22, 2007, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Well.... it may not be the best, but it's better than a lot of methods.
Not too long back I had to reletter a vehicle with new logos and I had to remove all the old lettering. The vinyl had been on for quite a few years and was brittle and coming off in miniscule pieces. I had my heat gun and tried heating it a little, heating it a lot, frying it, warming it, melting it, baking it.. every different method and temp I could and it still was acting like my wife, difficult. <jk>
Anyway, after working on one quarter panel for well over an hour, I ran to Lowes picked up a steamer and came back.. yeah, I didn't realize it'd take 30 minutes for the thing to start spittin', but once it did, I had all the rest of the lettering off all the 3 quarters and the tailgate in less than an hour.
It made a HUGE difference, so I don't care what anyone says, I'm a believer. It may not work in every situation, but can really help in the right one....
(((And I ain't gettin' paid NOTHING from Wagner fer sayin' this)))
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
We have been using our steamer for over a year now and it does have its place.. I picked up ours at Sherman Williams. It Listed for $700 but since it had sat around for awhile they sold it to me for $100. This is a great machine 2 gallon tank, heats up in about 15 minutes and has a 15' hose with 2 different ends..
We are in the process of re lettering 40 trucks right now and the old logo were edge prints. Some things we are seeing is that on the real old logos that are cracked and baked on the steamer does seem to have a few issues with those on the removal. But to counter that we tried Grog from Fellers. The Grog worked OK then I thought lets try the Grog and the steamer.
OH My GOD what a combination we brushed the grog on and let it set for 5 minutes then hit it with the steamer. the vinyl just fell off in big rubbery snot balls.. Glue and everything wiped down with Rapid prep and re-lettered.
We went from 1hour for removal to 15 minutes and then another 15 minutes to letter. Last Saturday we did 13 trucks in 4 hours with just me and my son.
Back on the steamer thing...I know that they work on old vinyl, which usually is at least 5-7 years old, and often 10-15
I just want to caution folks, that they can do some serious harm to fresh paint jobs. If you steam new paint, it will sure blush, and cause a pigmentation problem.
I doubt that an old vinyl door would be something to worry about, since obviously the original paint job behind it, was well-cured by now...
But..the surrounding area, whether a fender, 1/4 panel, or whatever, can easily be damaged, if you are not extremely careful. Who knows what other people did years ago? Did they use acylic enamel, with hardener, or was it a/c by itself?
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Bob talked me into a steamer awhile back, just a cheap one from Hawm Daypo (my old boss pronounced it like that). On some surfaces, like trucks, it takes almost everything off, glue and all. On a painted surface it seems to leave glue behind. I think this has as much to do with what kind of vy-null tou are trying to take off.
The steamers I like best, though, are the soft-shell kind that you get at a clam shack with cups of butter and broth. Beer makes them even better. Yum.
-------------------- "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
I just removed some reflective from a squad car with my trusty steamer. I don't like removing vinyl...EVER. But, it makes it much more pleasant. I wouldn't be without it. Especially when I work away from the shop.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3489 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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It is a Conair hand held fabric steamer. I typed in steamers in the search box.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
soooooooooooo What was I doing wrong? Not leaving the steamer on long enough? Bueller? Bueller? ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
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Yum.
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