removing decals

[DR. J]

I pulled the 'always wear a helmet and don't ride backwards sticker off the top of the tank of my niner. What do I use to get the stickum off?? Any thoughts. My fingernail won't even scratch it off. Thanks

Big vintage bike show at mid-Ohio at the end of the month. Anyone going to be there?

[sbeau1960]

I removed my stickers from my 919 tank, used a bit of bug and tar remover to get the sticky off the paint, then polished it with wax. Unfortunately the paint is faded a bit on my '02 asphalt tank so you can still see where the stickers had been. I went against the advice of the removed sticker and used a light polishing compound, then some black color wax, made it better but not perfect.

I'd be interested in the bike show at Mid-Ohio, got any details?

[omaha_919]

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner
Part No. 051135-08984


comes in a 1Qt metal rectangle-shaped can
white with a red front

I got mine from a place that specializes in auto paint & supplies.

[Ridge]

Originally Posted by omaha_919

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner
Part No. 051135-08984


comes in a 1Qt metal rectangle-shaped can
white with a red front

I got mine from a place that specializes in auto paint & supplies.

+1, that stuff works great on any adhesive.

[hasbeenracer]

Originally Posted by DR. J

I pulled the 'always wear a helmet and don't ride backwards sticker off the top of the tank of my niner. What do I use to get the stickum off?? Any thoughts. My fingernail won't even scratch it off. Thanks

Big vintage bike show at mid-Ohio at the end of the month. Anyone going to be there?

Try naptha. I use it all the time in my shop on guitars that the owner covered with stickers that say "f-u to the world" and now they are going to play at church so they want all that stuff gone. It will strip off any wax but won't hurt the paint. You can buy it at home depot. You can also use ronson lighter fluid--the kind you squirt into the bottom of a zippo--in a pinch, it's the same stuff. Wash your hands as the stuff soaks into your skin and it's hell on your nervous system.

[JohnnyLfromCT]

I use GooGone on the remaining adhesive, and it's excellent.

Doesn't hurt the paint at all.

[ragdoll]

Originally Posted by JohnnyLfromCT

I use GooGone on the remaining adhesive, and it's excellent.

Doesn't hurt the paint at all.

+1

[cmelnick]

Originally Posted by DR. J

I pulled the 'always wear a helmet and don't ride backwards sticker off the top of the tank of my niner. What do I use to get the stickum off??

Are the mattress-tag police banging down your door yet? Oh, they'll be there...they'll be there...

They're everywhere...watching...

[Patmicg]

Originally Posted by JohnnyLfromCT

I use GooGone on the remaining adhesive, and it's excellent.

Doesn't hurt the paint at all.

+1

[DR. J]

Thanks for the help. Just nervous touching the paint.

[Ken]

Hair dryer + WD-40 = no more stickers

[cmelnick]

Originally Posted by Ken

Hair dryer + WD-40 = no more stickers

I'm assuming hair dryer to loosen the gum, WD-40 to remove residue? Good idea!

[SV650s]

Heat the decal with the hair dryer. You would be surprised how easy it will come off. The heat also helps to keep the goo at a minimum.

[Ken]

Originally Posted by cmelnick

I'm assuming hair dryer to loosen the gum, WD-40 to remove residue? Good idea!

Exactly. And as Mike said, most will come off by just warming the adhesive. But stubborn ones may need a squirt of WD-40.

[wisco919]

Originally Posted by hasbeenracer

Try naptha. I use it all the time in my shop on guitars that the owner covered with stickers that say "f-u to the world" and now they are going to play at church so they want all that stuff gone. It will strip off any wax but won't hurt the paint. You can buy it at home depot. You can also use ronson lighter fluid--the kind you squirt into the bottom of a zippo--in a pinch, it's the same stuff. Wash your hands as the stuff soaks into your skin and it's hell on your nervous system.

+1 Naptha works excellent and is pretty cheap.

[tpirman]

I love Goof Off, I use it all the time for random things. (That sounds kind of gross). Anyway, I've used it on paint and doesn't seem to do any harm, but just in case, try it on a test area first.

[LittleNinja]

Goo Gone!!

[SportyChick]

I will also vouch for Goo Gone!

[hangster]

Just adding 2c , i've removed the stickers off the rear cowl with a heat gun and the rest of the goo with Acetone , worked like a charm and no Acetone won't ruin the clear coat.

[rmb]

WD40 here too, works great.

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by Ken

Hair dryer + WD-40 = no more stickers

+1... WD40, good for 1001 motorcycle friendly household uses.

[g00gl3it]

Originally Posted by rmb

WD40 here too, works great.

Originally Posted by The Shadow

+1... WD40, good for 1001 motorcycle friendly household uses.

Use lighter fluid (Zippo, etc.). You won't even have to use a hair dryer, it just gums up and wipes off with a paper towel. Although I like the smell of WD40 as well as Zippo, so no downsides there, lol.

[g00gl3it]

Originally Posted by hangster

Just adding 2c , i've removed the stickers off the rear cowl with a heat gun and the rest of the goo with Acetone , worked like a charm and no Acetone won't ruin the clear coat.

...but, Acetone is VERY bad for plastics. It's the main ingredient in ABS cement. It will literally re-melt the plastic until it dries.

Just ask my old roommate what happens when you set a dripping bottle of it on the top of the Playstation 2 .

[hangster]

Well i had no issues with it at all , (no damage no problem ).. it is a paint thinner but evaporates so fast there is no problem using it..

[sbeau1960]

Even good old Windex will remove the stickum, used it on my Super Duke tank sticker with success.

[Phoenix82]

I understand this thread is VERY old, however, felt it necessary to add this...

I wouldn't have tried ANYTHING listed in this thread on my paint if I hadn't read that someone else had done it first...

To remove sticky stuff left behind from any sticker, ahem, Butter.

Butter, margarine, vegetable oil... On a paper towell. Try it. Seriously. And you never have to worry about margarine wrecking your paint.

[g00gl3it]

Originally Posted by Phoenix82

I understand this thread is VERY old, however, felt it necessary to add this...

I wouldn't have tried ANYTHING listed in this thread on my paint if I hadn't read that someone else had done it first...

To remove sticky stuff left behind from any sticker, ahem, Butter.

Butter, margarine, vegetable oil... On a paper towell. Try it. Seriously. And you never have to worry about margarine wrecking your paint.

yeah, but then you have to use something else to get the fatty substance off.

Seriously, use Zippo lighter fluid. It actually DISSOLVES adhesives. squirt and wipe. And it won't affect any finishes.

[schrock86]

I've used this with great results, I may have to try the lighter fluid though.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...i_sku=99985928

[g00gl3it]

Originally Posted by schrock86

I've used this with great results, I may have to try the lighter fluid though.

Buy 3M Adhesive Remover (12 oz.) 03618 at Advance Auto Parts

yeah, lighter fluid is cheaper, lol.

You know how I learned about it? While a bagger at Albertsons. My first job. This was back when STICKY labels were on all the shelves and yes, I was the little d*psh$t that got to remove them all. I have first hand knowledge of how well it works.

[caferacer72]

All of the above will work. BUT DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT !!!!! USE PAPER TOWELS ON YOUR PAINT IT WILL LEAVE SWIRL MARKS....... ESPECIALLY ON BLACK AND ALL OTHER DARK COLORS. USE A MICROFIBER CLOTH AND YOU WILL BE OK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[g00gl3it]

more proof....Dissolve Sticky Residue with Lighter Fluid - Lifehacker

gotta love lifehacker.

[OSIRIS]

Originally Posted by g00gl3it

...but, Acetone is VERY bad for plastics. It's the main ingredient in ABS cement. It will literally re-melt the plastic until it dries.

Just ask my old roommate what happens when you set a dripping bottle of it on the top of the Playstation 2 .

I still have that Playstation sitting in my cabinet! Laser stopped working on it so it hasn't been used in years... still has the round ring of the bottle on the top of the case....




..... basterd.... jk

[g00gl3it]

Originally Posted by OSIRIS

I still have that Playstation sitting in my cabinet! Laser stopped working on it so it hasn't been used in years... still has the round ring of the bottle on the top of the case....




..... basterd.... jk

That's BASTARD. Get it right.