Those do work great don't they. But notice the hooded sweatshirt. There's a reason for that! Cover all surface that you don't want covered with rubber eraser crubblies!
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Can't watch videos online with my horrible internet connection. But may I suggest a gallon of gas & a match?
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
A belt sander works quickly, also!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Too much work.
Posted by Bob Boyd (Member # 2500) on :
I agree with Glen. We have the high speed drill and 3m pads. It makes a big mess also.
Posted by Ed Gregorowicz (Member # 1842) on :
quote:Originally posted by Si Allen: A belt sander works quickly, also!
Yeah, or a chain saw if there's a LOT of copy..... Posted by Mark M. Kottwitz (Member # 1764) on :
quote:Originally posted by Elaine Beauchemin: and easy.
I have used the pneumatic one with the "teeth" in the wheel. Its better in my opinion because of going to the side, it spins vertically, and a lot easier to control...
Just don't use it on a fiberglass body. It turns the paint yellow... Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
I could have that lettering off in a fraction of the time, and not nearly as much mess. I use a dulled tile scraper, and love it.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yep, I agree, too much work, a heat gun works faster in my opinion.
Posted by Bob Moroney (Member # 9498) on :
Wallpaper steamer, heat gun, Scraperite plastic razor blades, Rapid Remove and the wheel as a last resort. God I hate removing vinyl.
Posted by Elaine Beauchemin (Member # 136) on :
i do hate removing lettering. in fact this was a first for me. the vinyl was so dry at some places that a scraper was out. I did the wheel thing outside so no mess in the shop. to me it was a good experience about doing a thing i always refuse to consider doing. I do love the idea about the gas and matches though as the belt grinder would probably attack the paint. Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
I like the Protective Suit but NO mask!
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
I recently got called to letter a truck where the owners had a brilliant idea. They just took white paint and painted over the old vinyl lettering.
It took some discussion, but I eventually convinced them that putting new vinyl lettering over the old vinyl/paint was not going to look that great and talked them into removing all that crap and repainting the doors of the truck.
Posted by Ben Diaz (Member # 7319) on :
I think if you only have one method for removing vinyl you are really short-changing yourself. It's good to have a wheel for some removal jobs, especially vinyl that has been on for a really long time and has started to crack and break into a bunch of little pieces.
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
Uh Si:
True, your suggestion did produce quick results, but now the new lettering looks weird w/all the lines and ruts in it, plus brush run out over larger ridges.....is this normal?
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Frank, that's called the Canadian West Coast Dan Sawatgroove look and it's very expensive.
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
Expensive??? Well then, that calls for putting it up on services rendered board, way cool, another hat to wear...uh, are there any books on how to do it on purpose??? I guess I should name it, how about the "Wiggly Dan" texture???
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Or you could just have my competitor letter your van. In a year it will just fall off.
Got to love competitors like this. But this brings up another question. How do guys like this stay in business? I guess this proves that many customers just don't care about quality or design, they just want it cheap.
At least this customer cared. He came to me for a new sign to replace this peeling sign that was up less than a year.
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Looks like your competition cleans with windex and a rag! He he he he
Hey buy all the competition a case of windex, what great biz insurence.
Roger
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Roger, I don't know if it's that or he knows nothing about what kind of paint that vinyl likes. All I know is he buys the cheapest stuff he can get his hands on.
I've tried the vinyl eraser in the drill and I keep it only for what Ben said. I can remove it just as fast with a heat gun and Rapid Remover and not have the mess. When you get the heat just right, most times vinyl and adhesive come off clean. When the heat is not perfect, that's when you seem to leave adhesive.
Posted by Mark Baty (Member # 9776) on :
A heat gun works, ok, if you don't get the vinyl to hot. I control that buy the feel of the heat on my hand about 10'' from the gun. It takes a little practice to get it right. I tell the customer it will cost about half the cost of taking the truck to a body shop, and we can do it all in one trip. Mark
Posted by Mark Baty (Member # 9776) on :
Dave, Could you share that photo of the vinyl falling of, as it would be a great visual if you are trying to sell a paint job to a customer.
Posted by Mark Baty (Member # 9776) on :
DAVE! My email is mbaty@mchsi.com Thanks Mark
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Dave and Mark, you guys should really give the "bodyshop heat lamp tree" (in my removal video here www.youtube.com/rapidtac ) a try, they are sooo fast and uniform with the temperature. I can get a complete door of vinyl hot (the right temp.) in just 2 minutes, then you just start pulling vinyl. My 0.02
Roger
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Kinda like what Jon was talking about...guy around here had a truck he bought with old vinyl lettering on it. Took it to a "competitor" down the street and had them cut a square of vinyl to cover up the old lettering and then put his lettering on top of that. Great looking job!
It does save a lot of mess, though.... Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
I'm not a sticker guy but a quick search on the net brought up this product.
Vinyl-Off 10-4 Liquid Vinyl & Adhesive Remover Click here for Wrap Wash and Wrap Polish
Would you like to strip vinyl and adhesive safely and easily from almost any surface in 5 to 15 minutes? The revolutionary new spray-on liquid vinyl remover, Vinyl-Off 10-4, has no smell! It's biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable, and water-soluble - almost as safe as bath soap! This product is environmentally friendly and completely safe. It won't damage paint on factory automotive finishes or most other painted surfaces. (As always, test an inconspicuous spot first.) Just spray on and peel off! The adhesive comes off, too! It takes all the struggle out of removing vinyl graphics.
"Yes! It really does work!" T.R. (780) 497-****
Pulling off 4+ year-old vinyl and adhesive without heat!
What was once a nasty job is almost fun when you use Vinyl-Off 10-4. Removing the old stuff can be a labourious, time-consuming chore when scraping dry, and you have to be so careful not to damage the paint, particularly on automotive surfaces. In the past, once you had the vinyl off, you still had to remove the adhesive. With Vinyl-Off 10-4, you simply spray it or wipe it on (if you spray, you might want to give a quick wipe to distribute evenly), and wait a few minutes. The Vinyl-Off penetrates the vinyl to deactivate the adhesive, so it all comes off in one step! Within 5 to 15 minutes you can pull off most graphics - no scraping! For those tough, old jobs, just leave it on longer. It even works after being left overnight. Adding heat, especially in cool conditions may speed up the process.
[ April 18, 2010, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Joe Crumley ]
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Mark's tool seems to be the best in the market. I've tried one that a friend had and it's fantastic!
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Thanks Joe! I did some more checking, and found what I believe is the same product for about half the price as the other place.
I truly was impressed by the tool as it had no use of chemicals and took off the most stubborn vinyl with no marks whatsoever.
Now, you wouldn't want to breathe the stuff when it flies off and I would advise using the necessary goggles too, and just let the machine do the work. If there is ghosting, then I am interested in the ghost off if it works, also.
Posted by Ben Diaz (Member # 7319) on :
The place I used to work for tried some of that vinyl off. I didn't like it at all, but I suppose it could make a difference what type of vinyl you are trying to remove. The formulas for the glues isn't always the same, and I'm no chemist, but I would guess a product that works well with one type of vinyl might be crap for another type. The company I was working for used only FDC vinyls, which is just a supplier, so your guess is as good as mine as to what manufacturer actually made the vinyl.
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
I tried the vinyl off (a joke). Anyone who'll pay the shipping can have whats left of it. In fact, I've tried everything. 20 years has taught me one sure fire method, and I'm giving it up here for free boys & girls.
You just can't beat 3m's 8907 woodgrain & stripe remover. Two coats of that SH*T and a little heat with a Lil chizzler and your done.
There's a reaon it's $15 bucks a can, it doesn't mess around.
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