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We have 3 vehicles with reflective on that we have to strip and apply new graphics to. Any tips for removing reflective? Some of it is perished from the heat of the engine. We have a caramel wheel. I suspect we are going to chew through a few of them. Any tips would be much appreciated
-------------------- Anne McDonald 17 Karnak Crescent Russley Christchurch 8042 New Zealand
"I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure" Posts: 877 | From: Christchurch | Registered: Sep 2006
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I use a dull broadblade scraper like Si suggested.
Then if ordinary masking tape dosn't lift most of the glue residue ... I use turps (mineral spirits) to soften the glue and an old Credit Card to scrape it off even the most delicate surfaces.
Anne ... we don't get Roger's Rapid products down here. Don't think you get them in NZ either. Soak some paper towels with turps and leave them on the glue for a few minutes.
For example: We do a fair number of street signs, which have white reflective letters on a green reflective background. Sometimes changes are needed, and we used to use heat to remove the letters. All too often the green background would be marred or scorched in the process of removing the letters. Now we use the scraper to remove the letters and Rapid Remover to clean off the adhesive. There is no damage to the background.
Before using a scraper, make sure to dull the blade with sandpaper, and then round the corners on a grinder. Check for any nicks in the blade, as they can leave scratches in paint. The screw that holds the blade in place can also scratch, so I grind that down too, and I generally avoid using the screw side down. It helps to practice on a surface other than the customer's vehicle if possible. Pushing the blade at an angle gives a slicing action that is really effective.
I have stripped dozens of vehicles with this tool. Today I stripped two doors on a pickup in about 10 minutes (not reflective).
I have to thank Mike Meyer and Jon Butterworth for revealing their scraper secrets.
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
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Another addition to Russ's methods: Spray the area with Windex and keep it wet throughout the process. The liquid acts as a resist so the adhesive doesn't re-adhere as you are scraping. The letters just slide off the scraper.
Another tip, which I saw but have yet to try, is to use duct tape to remove the remaining adhesive from the vehicle after you've peeled the outer "layer" of reflective. I believe I saw that in some photos posted here by another Head.
-------------------- 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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Thanks for all your tips. We have used a wheel to do the first vehicle. It has taken 8 hours (there's a lot or reflective!!) today I get to install a whole heap of new reflective. Fun, Fun, Fun!!
-------------------- Anne McDonald 17 Karnak Crescent Russley Christchurch 8042 New Zealand
"I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure" Posts: 877 | From: Christchurch | Registered: Sep 2006
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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A natural product to remove adhesive glue you may find more readily down there (since you can't get rapidtac products readily) would be pure orange oil. Try any place that sells furniture refinishing supplies. If that's not successful, try a gourmet cooking supply store.(Lemon or lime oil works fine too)
-------------------- Nancie W. Phillips White Dove Painting Studio 74 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 678-887-3339
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Before I became familiar with Rapid Remover, I used to use wd40 to get excess glue off the vehicle, then clean the surface with glass cleaner, (non ammonia) Bill
-------------------- Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud 10 year Supporter of the Letterheads Website www.artssigns.com "MrBill-" on the chat page MailTo:biggsbb@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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We do a lot of Police vehicles and often have to strip a bunch, the most efficient methods I've found are the vinyl zapper wheel (MBX) or if its sunny and warm outside, I'll just pull the vinyl off and let it separate from the adhesive, and then use either sticky masking or transfer tape, over the adheasive-as long as the vehicle is warm and you pull the tape up slowly and at the proper angle, it takes it all off. Any leftover spots of adheasive, we'll hit with Rapid Remover.
-------------------- Kenny Lund Phenomenon Designs Farmingdale, NJ Posts: 72 | From: Farmingdale, New Jersey | Registered: Mar 2005
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