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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Kansas | Hi - New here, and new to owning a GN after years of hauling a BP. I've been learning a wealth of information from this forum, and am especially interested in ideas for finishing a LQ. But my initial question is - what is the best way to remove decals/stickers from painted steel ('05 Titan Classic 3H)? I was able to remove a small one with Goo-Gone and fingernails, but that's far from efficient. Plus, I now have no fingernails left. The trailer has an 18"x10" feed co. logo decal and a bunch of trailer dealer lettering I can live without.Thanks,Cat
Edited by CatB 2007-02-21 10:05 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2953
   
Location: North Carolina | I was able to remove a 5 x 8 inch decal with the very careful application of a propane torch. Once I got the separation started, a little heat to the line of adhesive made it let go. Then a rag and solvent got rid of the stickiness. If the metal starts to get warm, stop and let it cool before continuing. This will save the paint. Be aware, the paint under the decal will have faded less than the surrounding paint. You WILL have the ghost image of the lettering and decal. |
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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Kansas | Hmmmm, I'm not real good with a propane torch, would a hot blowdryer work?  The trailer's white and there was no shadowing from the smaller decal, so maybe I'll luck out? |
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Regular
Posts: 92
Location: iowa | Yah, I would try the blow dryer before the torch, may take a while longer but shouldn't bubble paint like a torch could. I have had good luck doing it on some stickers before. Start with one corner and warm as you pull away. Just a suggestion if ya put on stickers always put on a glass surface, much easier to remove years done the road. |
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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Kansas | and at least with glass you can use a razor blade and save you fingernails. ;-) |
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Member
Posts: 38
Location: Elgin, Texas | Yes the blow-dryer will work. I am in the process of removing a lot of decals from a trailer I just purchased. Leave the blow-dryer as long as you can on the decal so that the glue will stay on the lettering. What glue that is left on will come off with Glue be gone, you can get that at any Walmart. As far as the ghost letter left behind, I bought a gallon of Streak Master (off of the internet) and it gets all of that off and takes the black streaks off of the white skin. It is a lot of work, but you will love the results. Have fun.
Edited by kmh 2007-02-21 11:15 AM
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Member
Posts: 23
Location: Kansas | kmh - Thanks for the advice and the suggestion on the Streak Master. I don't like the cluttered look and can't wait to remove the stuff. Just hope my blowdryer doesn't overheat! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524
Location: Lone Oak, Tx | Something that's cheaper and works just as good as Goo gone or what ever is a can of WD-40 or the Walmart brand. Won't hurt the paint and eats glue like candy. Works awesome for bugs and tar as well. I use it on my trailer and my truck.
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Member
Posts: 38
Location: Elgin, Texas | Originally written by maccwall on 2007-02-21 11:54 AM
Something that's cheaper and works just as good as Goo gone or what ever is a can of WD-40 or the Walmart brand. Won't hurt the paint and eats glue like candy. Works awesome for bugs and tar as well. I use it on my trailer and my truck.
I didn't know that...thanks.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas | YOu might also check with a local body shop. I believe they used mineral spirits to remove ours, but do NOT try this without checking first! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309
Location: MO | WD-40! Add removing decals to the 1001 other uses for the stuff. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544
Location: Claxton, Ga. | I would wait until summer before getting too carried away. Stick that trailer out in direct sunlight and 90 deg. weather the stickers will come off very easy. Nothing better than good old sun power. I have 2 decals to put on my trailer and I am waiting for it to get up to 80 deg. before installing them. A little dish washing liquid in a squirt bottle with water and I'll make short work of those rascals. But it has to be hot outside or they will not cure properly. I know they are probably ugly as can be but I would wait a few more months to tackle that project. |
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Member
Posts: 19
Location: Boone iowa 50036 | Use a automotive heat gun. It has various setting and works well. |
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Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | WD-40 will harm the paint finish, in about 5 years you'll cuss yourself for using it. I learned the hard way with my old stock trailer...(not to mention my BS is in Chemistry.) If you use it you must wash it ASAP with a good soap and then wax it! You might try some water softener in water and spray on the decal edges. The softener should help to break the adhesives down, or rather hydrate them. If the hair dryer doesn't work you can rent a heat gun, try your paint store. Good luck, now you know why they didn't take them off! |
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Veteran
Posts: 131
Location: Cheyenne, WY | We use a drill attachment called Big Eraser. It is a 3M product. It will not harm the paint and you can get one at any automotive store that sells auto paint, NAPA, Carquest, Big A (if their still around). Even a body shop may be able to help you out. We use it on steel and aluminum trailers. Just let the wheel do the work and do not apply any more pressure than to hold it in place and remove the sticker. We use it all the time. |
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Removing Decals from Trailer
