TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bought a car from a sticker-sticking maniac

Wed Jul 14, 2004 5:40 pm

First the good news... most of the stickers are on the inside of the trunk, which I don't mind.

Now the bad news... this guy stuck white vinyl flames on the front fenders of an original paint 66 Bug, and on the dash, and the windows.

Now the question: How can I remove the vinyl and stickers off the dash, glass, and fenders without messing things up? I once was a helper in an auto-body shop for my dad and he let me use a big round eraser you hook up to a common air tool. If I buy one of the erasers, will that damage the paint or glass at all? I wasn't worried about the paint on the van I did that was covered with vinyl so I didn't pay enough attention. Also, will strong adhesive remover ruin paint jobs at all? I tried to search the forums, but no luck. Any specific brand names would be helpful.

Thanks ahead of time for any advice.

Wed Jul 14, 2004 5:49 pm

There is a product on the market called "Goo Gone". This liquid is made from oranges and is fantastic in removing stickers without damaging the surface underneath. What is does is it dissolves the glue that is on the sticker. You can find this product or similiar products in auto and grocery stores.

Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:40 pm

You might want to try using a hair dryer to soften the adhesive while pulling on the vinyl graphics. and then use goo gone to remove any adhesive residue. The hair dryer wont get hot enough to ruin your paint but it wtill soften the adhesive.

Good Luck

Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:27 pm

You may burn up a hair dryer if you work too long. A paint stripping gun will work well but you will need to be careful. They get hot enough that you can burn the paint if you spend too much time in one spot.

If Goo Gone is not sucessful, 3M makes a 2 part removal system, one for the vinyl and one for the remaining glue. Most auto paint suppliers and some parts stores will have it.

When you start, be sure to use a plastic scraper so you don't damage the underlying paint.

It will be a time consuming process however you do it.

Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:24 am

Time consuming is no big deal... I was born to wait. ha Thanks for the information, and I'll try goo-gone, then the 3m stuff.

Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:19 am

If you soak the sticker with goo gone the liquid will get under the sticker and dissolve the glue, then all you have to do is pull the sticker off. Just give it time to work. You might have to soak a few times (for stubborn stickers) for it to penetrate. I use it at work and this stuff is fantastic.

Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:34 pm

the goo gone should do the trick,but whatever you do do not use "goof off" it will eat away your paint.

Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:37 am

You need "UnDo". Its sold at all the big hardware stores, drug stores, etc. It is made specifically to remove all kinds of glued on stickers, labels, etc. from anything and everything. The bottle has a little "fingernail" cap that is used to dispense the liquid while "shaving" the sticker off. And it works quickly and without damaging paint, plastick, wood, glass, whatever. A small bottle costs about $5. Great stuff.

Fri Jul 16, 2004 1:32 pm

I work at a sign shop. we deal with is vinyl decals and signs.
when we need to remove vinyl, we pick and edge with our fingers and just pull it off. there's a solution called "Rapid Remover" that we use to get the andhesive off.
if you heat the car up in the sun for a while, or use a hair drier, it shouldn't be to difficult to get the vinyl off with your finger nails.
sometimes a razor blade will help to get an edge (BE CAREFUL!!)
any citrus solution will help with getting rid of the adhesive that's left behind. the citric acid will pull off the adhesive without damaging the paint.
then clean the citrus cleaner off with Rubbing Alcohol.

Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:58 pm

74 super wrote: the goo gone should do the trick,but whatever you do do not use "goof off" it will eat away your paint.

Goof off has mineral spirits in it, which is basically paint thinner..and yeah, you want to avoid it. I removed the side stripes from a pickup i used to own and used 3M adhesive remover, in a spray can. I had to wax/buff the area when I was done and it was just like it was never there.