Any way to remove old decals and save the paint?

Alan K · Apr 7, 2023

Is there a way to remove old decals from a hood without disturbing the paint? Would like to put the correct decals on the hood I
have. I wondered about Goo-gone but not sure that would work.

Hoofer B · Apr 7, 2023

We use a heat gun. It works good, but takes some time. Bill

Bob Bancroft · Apr 7, 2023

Somewhere I have what I call a 'rotary eraser'. It's a rubber wheel, goes in a drill, and will grind off a decal without harming paint. Got it at the local auto supply. I believe it was made by 3M?

Jthomas1970 · Apr 7, 2023

I've tried the rotary wheel but with little success. The best thing I would recommend is also a heat gun used with a plastic scraper. The heat MUST be used properly as too little and the decal will not come off. Too much and you will melt the decal and have a mess. It has to be just slightly over warm for best results. Good luck.

rrlund · Apr 7, 2023

A dealer told me one time that he used steam. He said he ordered a New Idea manure spreader for somebody who specifically wanted a New Idea. It was all he ever had, all his dad ever had and all his grand dad ever had. He wouldn't settle for anything else. Bruce said when it came in it had Massey Ferguson decals on it. He said he steamed the decals off, put New Idea decals on it, delivered it and the guy never knew the difference. They all say AGCO on the tag anyway.

rustred · Apr 7, 2023

that would depend on how old the old decals are.

dr sportster · Apr 7, 2023

I use a heat gun and fingernail but I have the rubber wheel thing as well but have not tried it .

Fritz Maurer · Apr 7, 2023

Goo gone is what the dealer told me they used, cuz I asked them why they were peeling decals off new Hesston balers. For some reason in the 90s, the Hesston 530 had the Fiatagri peeled off and a new Agco decal applied.... after it got sun baked a couple months.... can still see Fiatagri in the paint.

flying belgian · Apr 7, 2023

If the old ones are sticking good can you just put new ones over them? Thats what we do with license plate stickers

urbancase · Apr 7, 2023

rubber wheel works good, done to a few vehicles over the years, if you just buy the rubber wheel and not something that runs it as i bought a kit that had it all together as a unit, make sure you do not run to fast, i think under 700 rpm but would need to check that for sure.

OregonAaron · Apr 7, 2023

I used a steamer last summer to remove all of the decals off a camper. It was some cheap clothing steamer my wife bought- basically a reservoir for water with a small spout in which the steam came out- 120v. Got the sticker warmed up with the steam and then used a plastic scraper for dishes to work the sticker off as I moved along with the steam. Worked very well and didn t damage any paint. The dish scraper was a brown plastic deal that comes free from "pampered chef" parties.

johnofnewhaven · Apr 7, 2023

They do it all the time where I work. Like some have said use the rubber wheel made to do that or steam. We use wallpaper steamers. We don't allow heat guns because if you are not very careful you will blister the paint. We also don't allow razor blades because if you're not real careful with those you'll scrape the paint right off especially because the paint is warm and softer when you apply heat to it. Also as others have said it depends on how old they are and what type of decals they are. Some can be an absolute bear to get off no matter what you do. After we have them off then we use a solvent to remove the glue.

showcrop · Apr 7, 2023

Many methods will work for 10-15 year old vinyl stickers but not the real ones that are 20-50 years old, especially if they have been in the sun a lot. I just removed a set but I was repainting, so the nicks to the paint were not a major issue. Even after getting all the plastic off there was still some dried adhesive. I finally got that off with 230 grit sandpaper.

OregonAaron · Apr 7, 2023

If you do not get all of the adhesive off or there is some strange dirt/adhesive outline I have use the goo-be-gone (or something like that) with excellent results. Buy the large bottle because you will suddenly find more uses for it!

Rich'sToys · Apr 7, 2023

Lots of times WD-40 will also work for removing old glue.

DoubleO7 · Apr 7, 2023

State of Florida warns you that more than one renewel decal in the same spot is more easily stolen.
The more there are on top of each other the thiefs in the parking lots can peel them off in seconds.
The state recommends using a razor blade, etc. To scrape off the old one first.

BarnyardEngineering · Apr 7, 2023

The eraser wheels are to remove the residue after you remove the decal. You get most of the decal peeled, then go at it with the wheel.

Heat gun will burn paint if you're not careful.

You're almost guaranteed that it is going to be tedious and take a bit of effort and time. Decals rarely peel off in one piece.

old-9 · Apr 7, 2023

Funny story, 20 or so years ago I bought a Golden Jubilee with an unknown loader on it. Looking it over I saw a decal on loader arm that had been painted over several coats. I wanted to find out who made the loader. I worked on getting the paint off so I could read the sticker. Started with paint thinner and when that didn't work worked up to carb cleaner and brake cleaner. Lots of time and work later, I was able to make out the words ( My Kid is an Honor student at ???). Oh well stuff happens. joe

ChillyB · Apr 7, 2023

I'm understanding mayonnaise smeared on like you love it on a sunny day. Never tried it. Real mayo, not that white imposter salad dressing garbage.

johnofnewhaven · Apr 7, 2023

Barnyard there are eraser wheels that
absolutely will remove decals.

Any way to remove old decals and save the paint?

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