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We letter a lot of vehicles and occasionally this calls for removing old vinyl and adhesive and replacing with a new logo. We started out using a heat gun and "Lil' Chisler",this was so slow since the vinyl was 10 years old and brittle. We went to the auto paint store and bought a eraser type attachment for our drill...this prove to be faster but there is still adhesive to be removed & a blue stain from the vinyl.We finally got all the vinyl off and are just starting to use Rapid Remover but it doesn't seem to be getting the blue stain off.
THERE HAS GOT TO BE AN EASIER WAY!!
Any tips of removing vinyl and adhesive from vehicles. Since substrates costs less than the labor it takes to remove old vinyl & adhesive it's only reasonable to use new substrate. Too bad it's not feasible to do the same with vehicles. HELP!!! 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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Judy...If I run into brittle, older vinyl I use a "honed" single edge razor blade in a holder. I drag it backwards over a smooth steel surface to dull the bottom side of the blade and to also dull each corner so that the blade won't dig into the painted surface.
To "slice" the vinyl off, I push the blade with a "slicing" movememnt with the blade held at an angle to the direction of travel. It is a pretty quick way to remove that old vinyl when it is brittle. Then a shot of Rapid Remover finishes the job.
-------------------- 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
i use the 4 inch wall paper razor with the long handle and hone it on a piece of glass then spray the substrate with a little wd40 and do like Dave. works great on reflective. removed all the stripes and letters from a police car. took about 2 hours.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm interested in seeing the advise you are going to get here.
Anyone who's removed vinyl knows the problems we encounter. Last time I used the heat gun and lil' chizeler I swiped down to bare metal...Ugh! Ha, at that point, it came off 'real' easy!
Anymore, I don't try to be the hero of vinyl removal. When I'm called for an estimate, I survey the situation, even do a test removal. I advise/educate the customer of the circumstances. ($$$) In most cases a new substrate is more cost effective.
A few months back, had someone call me about removing black paint and chrome vinyl from a tractor trailer. Went for a look-see, tested a few different products and removal techniques. Told the guy it needed a repaint and wasn't worth having me remove what was there.
Did a removal on a monument sign a few weeks ago. The paint was good enough to hold up to a new vinyl application, so they had to PAY for the time it took to remove the old stuff!
A loyal client will understand paying for your time, mainly because you've already proved yourself. Someone who doesn't know diddly, and wants it done for nothing, well, I suggest they take a stab at it first, then call me!
As for an easier way, well, I need to know too!
Cher.
-------------------- Co-Host: SANDCASTLE Panel Jam 'a Dixie Letterhead Reunion' Fort Myers, Florida
Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on mIRC Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida 239-574-4713 VSignsNgraphics@aol.com Posts: 987 | From: Cape Coral, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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I don't do a lot of vinyl removal, but when I do I use a variation on Dave's method----- single edge razor blade stroked back and forth on a fine honing stone at about 70 to 90 degrees to the stone surface to dull both sides, place it in a utility scraper, and scrape straight in. Slow and careful. Most of the time, the blade will slide right between the vinyl and the adhesive. ( notice "most of the time") Then one or the other "Grafix-Gone" type of product for getting the glue off.
I've also been taken to task about using this method-- risky and all that. True enough, but when you get right down to it, most of the other ways seem to have their fair share of riskiness, as well.
Don't find the Lil Chizler satisfactory-- too thick.
The blue stain I can't account for, other than maybe the vehicle was a repaint, and the (blue?) vinyl went on too soon, and some of the color migrated into the paint. Don't know if this is even possible-- but something to consider.
On the heat gun and Chizler going all the way to bare metal-- the little kid says that it may also have been a repaint, air-dried and a softer finish than baked, and probably too much heat, too long in one area.
As Monte says, best bet is let the customer do it.
[ July 08, 2002, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: Bill Preston ]
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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I'm surprised nobody mentioned 3M Woodgrain and Stripe Remover spray. It's my fallback plan if manual removal is going too slow. It won't do a thing for the glue, (that's Roger's department), but I havn't run into a vinyl yet that didn't turn stretchy and pull right off.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Seems to me like when I do a car that I go through a bunch of lil chizlers, they always break on me lately after just a little bit. BUT I am using something other than Rapid Remover JUST right now and I actually think it may be attacking the plastic in the lil chizlers. I had to get something quick so I got the stuff from a distributor I was getting a shipment from the next day, I can't remember the name of it but boy is it rough on your hands and makes your eyes start watering just from the fumes also. I sure won't buy it anymore, I am ordering some more Rapid Remover tomorrow.
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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28-593 STANLEY TOOL......GREATEST SCRAPER MADE. also stanley makes another one ..cant find mine but it uses a 4" double edge blade. the 28-593 is the best.....will take off all viny;l and with fresh blade will take of most of glue. as for glue removal....any BUG & TAR REMOVER(i use a spray that stay in a foam, good on vetical surfaces)spray, let soak 5-10 mins...and then hit with the scaper..and it comes off in a big "snot".
-------------------- 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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Arghhhh! I have been putting off a removal job that I screwed up putting on, and that is what is the pitts! My gerber plotter did not match the letters in panels and I had to get something on the truck temporarily last fall. I am yet to redo it! Should I spray the rapid remover on first? No one mentioned the best way, other than putting it on after scraping. I can use a heat gun but I do not want to touch it with a razor blade especially. unless it is to get the edges carefully. What is the best way to use the Rapid Remover? I have used it several times, but would love any input on this. I am not a removal whiz for certain and know some of you guys are pros.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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i have your products...and use them....dida scarab boat and used rt 2 and it did a nice job(iam used to dry apps, so iam trying it with a little at a time)as for the removal iam was talkin bout...i did a 4x8 2 sides....and this was a while ago...didnt have R.R. then....and it worked....next time i take some off(iam lazy and try to tell them to remove it)ill use the RR.
-------------------- 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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AAARRRGH! removing vinyl, biggest pain in the arse job there is! so I charge double for taking it off I have found that the easiest way is to get some other poor so and so to do it if that fails then I use a steam wallpaper stripper, in the UK they are available from all DIY (do it yourself) stores and cost around £25 thats about $40 i think, makes a crap job a lot easier and won't hurt the paint as it only ever gets to the boiling point of water 100oC
-------------------- Steve Broughton Alpha Grafix Signs Lowfields Road Benington, Boston Lincolnshire, England Posts: 315 | From: Boston, Lincolnshire, England | Registered: Aug 2001
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Bob Burns said it best!! I also DO NOT remove vinyl. Why take the responsibility of damaging someones vehicle.
-------------------- 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
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another way i think would work is to use a 3000 pound steam cleaner pressure washer and hold it at an angle to the vinyl. i know it will shave bad paint off a vehicle from experience. hehe
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Roger, one of my suppliers tossed in me a bunch of free 'lil cizzlers this week as a "4th " gift, THANK GOODNESS. I like nice suppliers.
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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I like the woodgrain and stripe remover or StripEase vinyl remover for old vinyl. Be careful on screen printed decals though. The colors will run, so make some kind of trough under the decal if possible.
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If anybody would like a dozen free Lil Chizlers, drop me an email with Free Chizler as the subject and your address and I'll mail them out ASAP.
KSandlin@Oracal.com
-------------------- Kenneth Sandlin Author of "Wide Format Printing: An Introduction and Buyer's Guide" PO Box 1295 St. Augustine, FL 32085 kennethsandlin@msn.com http://wfprinting.tripod.com Posts: 116 | From: Jacksonville, FL | Registered: May 2002
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I've never had a lil' Chizler break on me and I like the size. I'm not sure why you would want a larger Chizzler.....I always use it for lifting edges, then use a heat gun and carefully peel the vinyl off. Takes time, but not too bad. Rapid Remover recommended for removing the adhesive left over.
Hey Roger...you'll be glad to know I just ordered my first gallon of Rapid Remover today....after using the sample...I just HAD to get some. Good day to you.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Hey Todd, maybe I'm just too rough on 'em. I'm usually cussing when I'm removing vinyl so I may just be a bit too harsh on the poor li'l guys. I'll go easier on 'em from now on, I know it's not their falut. HA!HA!
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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Thanks Todd, John, I am glad you appreciate the products.
I had to remove "old graphics" from one of the 4 race boats we sponcer, they are varying sizes up to 5'x1/12', I went thru about a dozen "lil chizlers" (kept breaking) cause the local sign shop had borrowed my "heat tree lamps" otherwise I probably wouldn't have needed them in the first place.
Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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Hiya Judy, As the others mentioned, there's no one easy way to remove vinyl. I've tried every method mentioned here and then some with varying results. One time, in the middle of the winter, I had to remove reflective vinyl from a fleet of trucks. I found that leaving the vehicle out in the freezing cold and quickly scraping the lettering with a razor scraper removed the vinyl, adheasive and all. To remove the stain left behind by the lettering, try Bon-Ami powder. Although I can't guarantee the results, it's worked great for me. Always test first. Also, I found that Rapid Remover mixed with bon ami to make a paste, will clean just about anything from almost any surface. 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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Hay Roger, gave up trying to get free samples from you, so I have ordered several of your products to see if they are as good as they say.
-------------------- Raymond Quick Ye Thicker Than Thou Sign and Repair Shoppe Olympic College, 1600 Chester Ave Bremerton, WA 98337 rquick@oc.ctc.edu Posts: 50 | From: Bremerton Washington | Registered: Jan 2002
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