How to remove painted over graphics (Decals)

I bought my brother's HHR that he used for his Interstate Battery franchise(wanted it as a toad)..it had decal's all over it. I used a combination of a heat gun, plastic razor blades, a gel adhesive remover and lastly, the 3M Eraser wheel. The Eraser wheel does work wonders on the most stubborn baked on decals. I do need to do a good rubbing compound on the whole surface now and buff it out but all in all, it came out good.

Heat will soften the decals and allow you to peel them off. Just use a hair drier set on low so that you do not heat the panel too much. Too much heat can affect the adhesive used when laminating the side panels and you do not want to risk a sidewall delamination condition.

I believe I'd check with a professional auto body shop before proceeding. Is your coach body fiberglass or metal ?

And maybe look at it this way, if the decals are painted over as you said, a heat gun removes decals. In this case the decals are covered with paint. Aside from a bigger mess, the decals should come off fairly easily taking the paint with them.

JMO

It appears they only painted the black graphics. probably because they were faded. Should not have to score the paint as they followed the graphic when they painted over them. Will try your suggestion thanks for the info.
Mel

this is what I used. Might have to score the paint where the decal meets the painted body.

3m adhesive eraser wheel