posted
I'd like some input on how to remove old vinyl. This is a 24' flat trailer with 20" letters that have been in place for about 9 years....yuck... you're right, I don't want to do it but it's a good customer and I'd like some help. Yez, I know about heat guns but I'm looking for some thing better this time...thanks D
-------------------- Doug Ultch Signs 120 N 42nd Rd Mendota, IL muzer@yahoo.com Posts: 2 | From: Mendota, IL | Registered: Dec 2003
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Peel as much as you can, use a hair dryer if you have to. Then get yourself a can of "Goofoff", it's a product for removing graffitti, use it on the adhesive left behind. Just one caution, make sure it's a factory paint job under the lettering or Goofoff could haze the paint. Some screenprinters use sparay adhesive on large photo films, this stuff takes this off as well without harming the film.
Cheers mate.
-------------------- Bill'n'Annie Davidson Heathcote, NSW, Aus. my Aussie wife, a Toohey's Old, my Holden Ute, Retired from the rat race! Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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try to affect it with a little lacquer thinner and heat it and if you too much affect the zone of the grafic make the other one a little bigger..good luck..
-------------------- Steven Girard steven@lettragesgirard.com
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has anyone tried the "big eraser"? attatched to your fast drill (not cordless) it removes vinyl. I have not used it but see it advertized all the time. Good luck.
-------------------- Michael A Latham Tee's Me Shirt & Sign 16462 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights Va. 804-835-3299 signdogopie@aol.com Posts: 379 | From: Colonial Heights, Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Michael...I have used one of the erasers. It works beautifully for pinstriping, but for larger graphics it wears down way too fast IMHO.
Doug....I charge $50/hr to remove old vinyl. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!! At that price I can stand there all day and pull the stuff off. OR, as I also do if I have to remove LOTS of old graphics before re-doing trailers, I hire a helper who does the removal while I am doing the new installs. I don't pay my helper $50/hr, of course, but plenty enough to keep up their interest with enough left over for an additional profit for me.
I use heatguns, honed rasor knives, Lil Chizlers, and good ole fingers to pull the old stuff off and Rapid Remover to get rid of the adhesive.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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a 3000 psi steam cleaner and a helper dop pretty good.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I would first see what Roger Rapid-Tac has for that, and in case he doesn't post here, I'd look him up.
Otherwise, I would use a weak heat gun, razor scraper and a paste made of mineral spirits and Bon Ami. Or Barkeeper's Friend or similar very-mild abrasive. That powder also acts to suck up some of the stickum, which otherwise turns into snot with big vinyl. At the same time, I would also like to be showing somebody else how to do this, so THEY can do it next time!
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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"Rapid Ray" responded to a post that I had that was very similar to yours. You can view it if you like... although it had Enamel Paint over the Vinyl... but, for what it is worth I think that you will find his photographs helpful especially if you are have to repaint the areas before you reletter them.
It is under-Removing Vinyl Letters painted over with Enamel, on January 16, 2004.
I have heard the same about the Eraser Head for a drill, but they do work....
Good luck, Doug.
ShaBU
-------------------- Craig Shaub Dig-It All Sign Company 306-30th Avenue Kenosha, Wi 53144 262-553-9519 dig_it_allsignco@hotmail.com Posts: 34 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Jul 2002
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Wasn't it Rapid Roger who uses a heat tree lamp like at a body shop to warm larger areas of vinyl? I wouldn't want to set it too close, but once you find the right distance from the vehicle you could just keep moving it a little as you go.
-------------------- Ace Graphics & Printing Camdenton, MO. USA
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I would say to the use a heat tree lamp. They work great for this type of removal.
I have seen guys put it in the inside of the trailer(depending on the trailer of course) and work away removing the vinyl on the outside where the heat lamp was.
I hope you get the idea.
Rob
-------------------- Robert Carney Fergus, Ontario Posts: 131 | From: Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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I always maintain that the steamer is the absolute only way to remove vinyl. Safe, cost effective & complete. I have removed 1000's yards with this tool.....less than $100.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3486 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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My Brothers hire a Lady out of Grand Rapids Michigan... She Uses a Big Torch...it is used for Melting Lead. it is Attached to a Propane tank.. Looks like a Flame Thrower... Hell I guess it is , if it Throws a Flame.. THe Thing Works Amamzing... My brothers and I Borrowed it once to remove Scotchlite Reflective from a Corrugated Trailer.... I Haven't seen anything else work better....
Good Luck.....
-------------------- Mike Contreras MAX Sign & Design Gladstone , Michigan Posts: 84 | From: Gladstone , Michigan | Registered: Jun 2000
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Mike; I had heard of this method, torching the vinyl with an actual flame, but no-one seemed to know who did it and how to do it. I had heard it was a torch for roofing, large flame that is not very forceful as it comes out, just hot. Is it like heating with the heatgun, get close but not to close? I would assume that the vinyl will peel away with heat, how about residue?
-------------------- Michael A Latham Tee's Me Shirt & Sign 16462 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights Va. 804-835-3299 signdogopie@aol.com Posts: 379 | From: Colonial Heights, Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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