Recently purchase a used trailer & was wondering the best way to take the names of the previous owner off of the trailer.  Someone told me you have to heat the letters up & then use a special cleaner to take off the glue.  Any tips on the best way to do this or stuff to use. 

Might try goo-gone if the area isn't too large.

No not a farm name just their name but it is on the side & the back & they also have a big roper on there.  It will be quite time consuming but I want it off & then want it to look nice. 

I know you can't acid wash the white skin but can you take it to a reg car wash & use the power washer on the white skin w/out soap?

http://www.harrisdecals.com/tips/howtoremove.asp

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Stick-on-Lettering-from-a-Boat

I like their step one, where you take it back to the place that put it on and have them remove it...

A hair dryer doesn't usually get hot enough to soften the decals. You have to use a hot air gun which puts out more heat. Start in one corner, heating an area about the size of your hand, moving the gun continuously. Lift the corner of the decal, and start gently pulling it back onto itself. If it comes easily, move the gun further onto the decal and keep moving. If The decal rips and pulls with difficultly, it needs to have more heat applied.

The glue residue can be removed with many products, decal removers, some solvents, alcohol, automotive bug removers etc. Do not use a product like a scotch bright to abrade the area, in an effort to remove the glue. You will damage the finish on the trailer.

It is a very easy process, but you need to have a gun that puts out enough heat. They can usually be rented, but are handy for many other projects if you decide to purchase one. Sears, most big box stores all sell the home owner type. You do not need the very expensive industrial types.

BOL  Gard

Yes it is. 

You can remove any built up lines by using an automotive rubbing compound and a sponge. The only residual indication you may be left with is the difference in paint colour. The area under the decal usually won't fade as much as your paint does.

Gard

Funny you should mention that Gard, I was talking to a friend's husband about those hot air guns the other day. My automatic horse waterer froze up during our incredibly cold weather so I had to buy a tank & tank heater. I was going to use the outside hose to fill it(as opposed to carrying out a million buckets one by one) however, my friend's husband said that they had done that and the "spigot"(sp?) had frozen. He said he used his hot air gun to thaw it out so he could close it. I had never heard of a hot air gun prior to that.

My trailer had the dealership's name in large decals on the front, back and sides of the trailer. I figured, why should I be free advertising for them? so, I peeled them off one by one on one of our very hot days last summer. I didn't need a hot air gun as it was so hot out that they lifted right off!

Regards,

Jodie

You could ask any dealer what they do to remove.  If they take a trade-in that had another dealer's sticker on it, they always remove it and put their own on.  Mine had one on the white skin, and you can only see the shadow of where it used to be if the sun hits it just right and you are standing close.

On my old steel trailer, I used a hair dryer to remove the previous owner's decals.

Nail polish remover is mostly acetone which is a very strong solvent. Use it sparingly or you may damage the paint. Alcohol will not damage cured industrial paints, and depending on the glues being used, may work very well. Most graphics and advertising use different adhesives, with the advertising being less permanent.

BOL Gard