Old Decal Removal

[IdaD]

Does anybody have some ideas on how to easily remove old decals and adhesive from an aluminum FW? My trailer is a 2002 model and it has some old faded and cracked decals I'd like to take off. I wondered about giving this a shot:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00488DDB8/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe...

Anybody ever try it or have any other ideas?

[IdaD]

Well I tried the removal wheel. It did a good job on the decals and adhesive but also the paint on the aluminum. I guess next up is hair drier and if that doesn't work I'll try some of the removal solvents. This isn't that big of a deal but I think it would look quite a bit cleaner if the faded decals were off.

[restlesswind]

I used my wife's hair dryer. It worked fine for me. I'm not sure how hot a heat gun gets, but the hair dryer did no damage whatsoever. I took any remaining glue off with a mild cleaner/polish.

[patriotgrunt]

I'll have to look into this. I could use a few decals removed myself.

[Bumpyroad]

a pinstripe and decal remover tool at amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Decal-Eraser-Pinstripe-Removal/dp/B00HZ4ABKS/ref=pd_rhf_yast_s_cp_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=411FsKHuHCL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_SL500_SR135%2C135_&refRID=XMY0AXSQ6ZN7A16GKD77
bumpy

[colliehauler]

Coach-man wrote:
I would go with the heat gun and a plastic razor, take your time do not over heat in one spot and use the razor to lift the decal. There are many products that can be used to remove the adhesive once the decal is gone!

This is what I eventually used after trying aircraft decal remover and 3M rubber wheel.

The aircraft decal remover and the 3M rubber wheel both removed the paint as well as the decal. Had to repaint the front of the trailer.

[Retired_JSO]

I used a wall paper steamer and the nudging of a plastic putty knife to remove the decals on a 2004 sandpiper. They just drunk up as I put the steam to them.

[Coach-man]

I would go with the heat gun and a plastic razor, take your time do not over heat in one spot and use the razor to lift the decal. There are many products that can be used to remove the adhesive once the decal is gone!

[dpgllg]

I rebuilt a Jet Ski and had to remove a lot of decals. I used Sticker Off and it worked great for me.

You can find it here on Amazon Sticker Off

I bought mine at an auto parts store. This took the decal as well as the adhesive off and did not damage the gelcoat

Dave

[FishOnOne]

Here's a few of videos.

Heat Gun

3M Eraser Wheel

Wet Sanding to Remove Shadows

This appears to be a major job...

[Kbf213]

I had success with aircraft paint stripper, sprayed it on wiped them right off and rinsed. careful with the overspray but it worked.

[alboy]

Tried the wifes hairdryer ,with a plastic scraper then Goo off to get the glue,works ,but a lot of work.Went out and got an eraser wheel,this is the only way to do it ,what took 3 hrs with heat ,was accomplished in 45 min.
Pressure washer 3000psi did not work,WD Forty not.MY decals were not peeling ,but had faded and were put on with some great adhesive,so some decal removal could vary depending on the mfg.

[colliehauler]

BB_TX wrote:
I used a 3M eraser wheel to remove decals from my fiberglass 5er. Worked fine, but you need a good drill as it works it pretty hard. Don't think a cordless would work well.

Tried a heat gun and plastic scraper first. Eraser wheel was easier.

Doesn't work very well on aluminum, takes the paint off. I ended up repainting the front of the trailer.

[corvettekent]

I would use a heat gun, hair dryer, or park it in the sun. Then slowly pull the decal off. It may leave some glue behind and you can remover that with naphtha (lighter fluid).

[4bearhug]

The eraser does work really well on fiberglass. It's fairly quick and easy, but does wear down so you will need several if doing large/many decals. A corded drill works better as a cordless drill will get run down quick.

I'm not sure the eraser will work in the fluting of an aluminum sided RV.