posted
I've removed reflective tape off vehicles before an hated every minute of it! Came off in ity bity tiny pieces! I have a customer that currenty has A3911-R 911 reflective tape on his vehicle. Some of it has to be removed and replaced with the same product. Before I quote him, does anyone have experience with this particular Avery product?? Does it remove easier than the intermediate or high performance reflective? Any advice and tricks? Wow...this stuff is expensive too!!!!
-------------------- Ottawa Custom Signs Stittsville, Ontario Posts: 346 | From: Stittsville, ON | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hiya Brenda, It's a 3 year rated reflective that I've never worked with. So be prepared for the worst case scenario Quote by the hour for removal and hope for the best maybe? Here's a link to what I found on the net... http://www.beacongraphics.com/a3-series-reflective-911.html
Good luck,
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
| IP: Logged |
posted
Did you say AVERY? To remove it, just wait a few months and it will fall off by itself!
I would try lots of heat and Ditzler 440 to remove the glue. I would quote it "time and material" to remove it!
-------------------- Tony Vickio The World Famous Vickio Signs 3364 Rt.329 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 t30v@vickiosigns.com 607-535-6241 http://www.vickiosigns.com Posts: 1063 | From: Watkins Glen, New York | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I hate removing reflective, and I have got to do a bunch of them, thanks to Avery. I have had to replace several police cars sometimes up to 3 times. (I work subcontract for a sign company that only uses avery, and just recently is going to 3M reflective, but sticking to Avery hi performance.)
I have used an eraser wheel from Dynabrade. They work great, just don't hold them in one spot too long, and never use them on alum.
They are quite pricey, but worth the money when you have to remove any amount.
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 746 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Another thing that's been mentioned on here lots of times that would be worth a try: a wall-paper steamer remover doohicky.
I had a job a while back where I had to remove the lettering from a service truck that had been on for probably 8 years. It was a Novus truck and had lettering ALL over it and it was coming off in little bitty pieces...
When I had worn my lizzle chizzles and fingernails down to nothing, I ran over to Lowe's and picked up one those babies for 49.95. It worked wonderfully!!
I would hold the big square diffuser thingy over the lettering, slide it to the side, remove a letter while still holding over the next bit.. keep moving it over removing the lettering..
Got the rest of the lettering off in a fraction of the time it took me on the first part...
Thanks to Letterville!! I'm a believer.
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote: off vehicles before an hated every minute of it!
PRessure washer. I've removed lots of reflective ofa police units. PRessure washer. Flakes it right off. I used a 2400 pounds of pressure machine.
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've removed reflective (just recently) with a heat gun, cheap squeegee, Rapid Remover, and Rapid Tac.
Much like Jon describes - heat up with a heat gun and use the plastic squeegee to scrape off the top layer and most of the adhesive. After that, spray with Rapid Remover (per directions), and then clean with Rapid Tac (per directions).
Not as easy as HP, but isn't that much more difficult either.
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
Just ask one of my clients who decided my price for removal was too high.
He used very high pressure washer to do it and it worked just fine.got rid of the vinyl..
Got rid of the adhesive too...
Unfortunately it also got rid of the FACTORY paint too!!
Be very careful following any advice..test it in an area that you can afford to pay for re-painting!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Ya dave , if the user is so stupid enough to leave the nozzle in one place until it cuts every thing. A little common sence goes a log way. Most people here reading these posts are on the upper end of the inteligence level. Give them some credit..
Same goes for heat guns. And why don't you mention the torch removers. And why didn't you remind them about leaving that eraser machine too long in one spot? All of them will ruin paint job too..
I've observed at least 40 different units getting the reflective removed and at least 9 different boats of all sizes having reflective removed with a pressure washer. NONE of them ever had a paint job ruined.
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
Just thought I would advise some caution Curtis..Sorry I hurt your tender toes if I stepped on them.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Are you guys really talking about the 911 series here?!? It's like contact cement to remove!
Honestly, a couple years ago the adhesive was so aggressive you had to scrape it off and repaint first in order to reinstall. They've changed the glue hold and material so it doesn't break in tiny chunks any longer, but more like tiny sheets. LOL
Brenda, I'd suggest by the hour PLUS. It's a terrible job removing this stuff, no matter what method you chose.
posted
I'm not familiar with the characteristics of the 911 series, but my tool of choice for vinyl removal is this:
To prepare the tool I take a new blade and dull it with sandpaper to the point where it's not razor sharp anymore. It still has a good enough edge to slide easily under the vinyl. I also use a grinder to round the edges of the blade. This keeps it from gouging the paint.
I think Mike Meyer is the one who suggested this tool. It's great. We use it all the time at our shop. Interestingly enough, it works better the colder the vinyl is. I generally end up skimming the vinyl off the adhesive, and then using Rapid Remover to get rid of the adhesive.
We have stripped many a vehicle with the scraper, and even reflective doesn't present a problem. It does take some care to get the angle right to avoid paint damage. Also, make sure the blade is nice and smooth with no nicks.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
russ, I have one of those,, been using it for years,,,, but not for vehicle vinyl removal,, maybe i will try it soon..
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
Don't work at it too long Brenda, my favourite cartoon of Bob Parsons is the one with the Devil standing beside the signmaker and the signmaker is chewing his fingernails and the Devil says "We save those fingernails for Sign H*ll boy!"
It cracks me up. I think I'm gonna have it blown up for my wall. I gotta send it to Bob and see if he'll autograph it for me!
Don't worry I'll be there right beside you with bad fingernails too.
[ November 03, 2006, 08:00 AM: Message edited by: Deri Russell ]
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've tried most of the above except the pressure washer. Like Jon, I just went and bought a drywall steamer from Home Depot for 49.95. I wish that I had gotten one sooner.
ONCE YOU TRY THAT, YOU WON'T GO BACK!
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for all the great info! I'm going to try the wallpaper remover. I also saw another post that Chris Lovelady posted that also gives a great idea on removing the reflective adhesive. Worth a try anyhow!
-------------------- Ottawa Custom Signs Stittsville, Ontario Posts: 346 | From: Stittsville, ON | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Brenda, let me know how it works ....i did some trucks this weekend, doors and windshield( the shield above the cab) and heated the lettering with a torch (no electricity available) pealed with plastic razor blade used the masking tape to remove silver and adhesive. striped, washed and applied the decals (1 Truck) all in 1 hour.
chris
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic