Removing vinyl from van?

Russ T. · Dec 11, 2013

Has anyone done it themselves? My vinyl has been on my truck for @ 5 years and I may be selling it soon. I want to get it off without damaging paint. The heat gun thread made me think that might work, any suggestions? Should I hire it out from the sign company and be done with it? Thanks.

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Able 1 · Dec 11, 2013

Use a steamer, and goof off for the glue..

Russ T. · Dec 11, 2013

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Able 1 · Dec 12, 2013

Well, if you want to pay someone it's cool with me, but a steamer and goof off will take you like an hour.

Russ T. · Dec 12, 2013

Able 1 said:
Well, if you want to pay someone it's cool with me, but a steamer and goof off will take you like an hour.

When you say steamer, do you mean one of those clothing steamers? Not sure what you mean. If I can get it done in an hour that would be great.

The Clean Machine

Barry-QDCC · Dec 12, 2013

The heat gun idea works great. Might take you a couple of hours but its not hard to do.

John Olson · Dec 12, 2013

We use a product from the paint store. It cost like $20 a pint but it flat out kicks ass. Removes everything even the oldest most baked on lettering. I'll see what the name is tomorrow

Able 1 · Dec 12, 2013

No, a wall paper steamer will peal it off then it's just you against the adhesive.. You don't have that much lettering there.

Desk Jockey · Dec 12, 2013

An MBX Tool would cut through vinyl lettering like butter but it’s a little pricey.

It really depends on how often you remove vinyl and what they are going to charge you to take it off. We have one that is air driven and it works great but if I were to buy one again I'd get the electrical corded one. It take 1-2 rubber removal wheels per van, depending on how much lettering you have.

http://www.signwarehouse.com/TT-VR-...gn=feedexact&gclid=CNzxqLKDibUCFU-d4AodG1kAlg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To5qmCqY6S0
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Barry-QDCC · Dec 12, 2013

Doc Holliday said:
An MBX Tool would cut through vinyl lettering like butter but it’s a little pricey.

It really depends on how often you remove vinyl and what they are going to charge you to take it off. We have one that is air driven and it works great but if I were to buy one again I'd get the electrical corded one. It take 1-2 rubber removal wheels per van, depending on how much lettering you have.

http://www.signwarehouse.com/TT-VR-...gn=feedexact&gclid=CNzxqLKDibUCFU-d4AodG1kAlg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To5qmCqY6S0

Wow... definitely faster than a heat gun!

Desk Jockey · Dec 12, 2013

It still takes a little clean up but yes it's very fast.

Although it's a little messy too. Do it outside because it creates less of a mess.

You'll also smell like rubber from all the particles thrown about and you'll need a shower afterwards. :winky:

Derek · Dec 12, 2013

in the late summer we did it ourselves with just our fingernails plucking away. between the both of us it took about 2 and a half hours. less vinyl than yours and it was warm outside so...

but it had been on for 8 years, in the sun and snow 24/7 in our driveway. but it wasn't hard at all.

Spurlington · Dec 12, 2013

Derek said:
in the late summer we did it ourselves with just our fingernails plucking away.

Amish style .. must of had sore fingers .. I used a heat gun once and the vinyl just bubbled and most of it peeled off easily .. I think next time Id pay someone to do it .. or trade for carpet cleaning .. which Id much rather do any way

handdi · Dec 13, 2013

I have seen a wheel like that you can buy at a auto paint store
you put it on a drill friend of mine has one
i think 30 or 40 bucks ------- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Remove-Viny..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item5401c9d226&vxp=mtr ya go ebay has everyting

Russ T. · Dec 13, 2013

handdi said:
I have seen a wheel like that you can buy at a auto paint store
you put it on a drill friend of mine has one
i think 30 or 40 bucks ------- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Remove-Viny..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item5401c9d226&vxp=mtr ya go ebay has everyting

That looks like it's worth a try! In the description, they recommend an air drill. Do they spin faster than a traditional cordless? I have a pretty nice, contractor grade Dewalt Hammer/Drill. Think that would work?

The Clean Machine

Desk Jockey · Dec 13, 2013

If its the same type rubber it should work. Just don't do a lot of a time and over heat your drill. Definitely worth a try.

Our wheels are cogged not smooth but it could be to cool the rubber?

Derek · Dec 13, 2013

Spurlington said:
Amish style .. must of had sore fingers ..

a little sore for a day. nothing a good manicure couldn't take care of :eekk:

BradFenstermaker · Dec 13, 2013

Wall paper steamer and Goo Gone did two of mine before. Friend just used adhesive remover from Turtle Wax after vinyl was off. It worked great with a plastic scrapper..

Find a small auto paint shop and they may do it for cheap. Those rubber wheels work nice too and you can get one at Oreilly's if you have a strong power drill..

BLewis · Dec 13, 2013

I used a heat gun like u use to install monokote on RC airplanes and heated and peeled a wrap off an entire Vortex in 2 hours

Russ T. · Mar 29, 2014

These wheels work awesome! I tried the heat gun too and removed some that way but no comparison. Use the wheel and get it at Amazon or eBay. I paid twice the price at O'reilley Auto Parts.

3M Stripe Off Wheel 07498, 3/8" Mandrel, 4" Diameter x 5/8" Width, Beige (Pack of 1) 3M http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063VT0G/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_pXMntb09DW148

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Jim Nelson · Mar 29, 2014

My vinyl Guy used a blow torch made quick work of it. Way faster then a heat gun. Did not harm the paint at all.

GCCLee · Mar 29, 2014

Impressive !

Tell that guy Thanks for the tip. Friggin heat guns take forever.

Did he jus blast it and peel it right off? What about the glue left over or was there any ?

Sent from da parking garage of dee detention center

mahlonzehr · Mar 29, 2014

Best stuff for the residue is Rapid Remover. Spray it on, let it sit for a minute and scrape it off. You can pick it up at auto body stores.

GCCLee · Mar 29, 2014

mahlonzehr said:
Best stuff for the residue is Rapid Remover. Spray it on, let it sit for a minute and scrape it off. You can pick it up at auto body stores.

So will this : )

Russ T. · Mar 29, 2014

Carb cleaner works excellent for the adhesive residue too.

The Clean Machine

Lint Basket · Mar 29, 2014

Brake fluid - Used a heat gun once but left a bunch of sticky glue, so I broke out the brake fluid no dwell time needed.

Johnny · Mar 29, 2014

I used a propane torch last time I removed lettering. Worked fine.

Russ T. · Mar 29, 2014

Where were you jokers when I posted that before...

Here come the experts, now that I'm an expert. ;-)

The Clean Machine

Becker · Mar 29, 2014

I did a heat gun on a warm day wearing leather gloves, tried the 3m remover on the residue but goof off worked better.

Was not to bad, and I had a lot if vinyl.

I do like the wheel demo.

The Great Oz · Mar 29, 2014

We found the steamer worked faster than the heat gun and with less mess than a rubber wheel. We cut the bottom out of a bucket to make a larger head and attached it to a Jiffy Steamer.

Removing vinyl from van?

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