Removing Decals from Stainless

My vacuums are in good order but the Decals are terribly sun faded. I want to replace them, any good suggestions on how to remove the old faded brittle decals from the stailess??????

Removing old decals has always been a problem. I have found that the best way (for me) is to heat the decal up a little with a propane torch or hair dryer. It will soften, then either peel if off slowly or scrap it with a putty knife. The left on glue will be a bigger problem. I have purchased a decal remover solvent in the past, but cannot remember where from. Go to where the sell floor tile - they have solvents there to remove glue. I normally, if the decal is the same size just go back over it with a new decal with the old glue left on. Just be sure there are no high spots. I've heard that the best way to reapply
decals is with soapy water. I've not tried it, but I understand you spray on the soapy water, you then peel off the backing and position the decal where you want it. You then squeegee out the excess to remove any bubbles.

Joe
www.crowncarwashinc.com

A heat gun to soften the old decal, a razor scraper to remove as much of the decal material as you can, 3M adhesive cleaner to remove the rest. Don't try to get all the gum off with the cleaner and a rag - give it a quick wipe to wet it, then scrape gently to remove the bulk of it first. The rest will wipe off much more easily.

I put gasoline in a spray bottle. Once the decal is off, I spray the left over adhesive with gasoline, it comes off pretty easy. I use a razor scraper to get the big stuff off, then wipe clean. Not the best I know, but just don't smoke while doing this. Putting the new one on, you need to use soapy water on the surface and on the decal once the backing is removing. Keep spraying it so it doesn't stick until you have it positioned correctly. Then squeege from the inside out. Just like tinting windows.

razor blade and goo gone. which can be foud at almost any hardware store.

The 3M adhesive cleaner will go a lot farther than gasoline in a spray bottle, and isn't nearly as dangerous. Gas evaporates almost immediately, the adhesive cleaner much slower and even works better. It's about $5 a quart, but you can do a dozen vacuums with one quart if you don't just pour it everywhere.

Goo Gone works pretty well too, but the fumes are noxious. It also eats some plastics and Lexan, the latter of which isn't harmed by the 3M adhesive remover.

I read somewhere that alcohol instead of soapy water works better for applying decals - tried it, didn't like it at all. It stained the decal and didn't evaporate any faster than water, and it took twice as long to squeegee it flat where it would stay. The only thing it helped with was getting it in position, and even then it was too slick on the vacuum and moved around when I tried to squeegee it.

There's a product called 'Oliflo' from Titan Chemical that is great for removing sticker glue. It's also excellent for tree sap, tar and grease removal from automotive paint.

Its consistency allows it to stay on the surface and work longer without evaporating. Try it! I love this stuff!!!

oops. It's "Oilflo"

Do you get the 3m product at body shop or auto supply places? Do chains like autozone carry it?

I've only been able to find it in quarts at specialty places like bolt supply houses, but you can get a smaller can labeled something like "Wax, adhesive and tar remover" at parts stores. Problem is, the 12-oz can of that costs the same as the quart.

I've seen 3M adhesive remover in the Griots Garage catalog. www.gritosgarage.com. My local auto parts has it as well. I can't imagine it's too much different from a tar, wax and grease remover like almost every autobody supply has. I use a product called 'prep all' for tar removal prior to waxing vehicles. Comes in gallons. The issue with these solvents is that they evaporate quickly, whereas the Oilflo stays on the surface longer, thereby increasing its effectiveness at solubulizing the glue.

The 3M adhesive cleaner in www.griotsgarage.com is aerosol - the stuff I use is liquid, and a whole lot less expensive. It's stabilized somehow and doesn't evaporate all that quickly.

http://www.skygeek.com/051135-08984.html