Vinyl Letter Removal

[Twisterspecial]

My neighbor has a 1990 – 1991 Ford F-150 pickup truck. He has his business advertising on both sides and rear of the truck. The letters are individual vinyl, with a total of about 90 letters. The letters have been on the truck for about 5 years and the truck has not been waxed in over 8 years. The color of the truck is White. He wants me to remove the letters, and detail his truck. I believe the truck does not have Clear Coat on it due to its age.

My plan is first to remove the letters, using some WD-40 as I remove each letter. Follow up with some Goo Gone to remove and adhesive left on the paint, wash the truck, clay the paint, use some Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner followed up with some Medallion Premium Paint Protectant. Is this a good way to remove the letters and adhesive, or is there a different way to remove the letters and any residue left from the adhesive.


Thanks,
Mike

[Paulvr4]

Let me put in my thoughts that could possibly help:

If you can have the car sit in your driveway all morning on a nice sunny day and start working on the car at 2:00pm with a hairdrier this will loosen up the glue and make removing the decal easier. Just pick at it with a plastic razor or your finger nails gently to get a bit of the decal then pull the entire decal off. Once you pull it off get some WD-40 and GooGone to help remove the residue, you might get some scratches if you try too hard w/ terry towels.

Once it's done i recommend the claybar followed by some paint cleaner- this might be your best approach to leveling the paint - then followed by polish and wax

as for fading - not sure how it'll look - it depends on the car and decal.

good luck.

[OctaneGuy]

The best way to remove vinyl without chemicals is with this little tool called the Lil'Chizler.

You can find them for anywhere between 30cents to $1.

They are safe for the paint, unlike razor blades. They just slip under the vinyl, and you can peel back while continuing to push on the Chizler.

It's what vinyl guys use.

[Twisterspecial]

OctaneGuy,

Thanks for the tip on the tool. I will try to locate and purchase it in my area and give it a try.

Regards,
Mike

[OctaneGuy]

Np. If you've seen my MINI, I have lots of vinyl on it, and I'm changing it out or putting it on other cars, so this little "secret" tool rocks. =)

Again, look for a sign suppy shop--its sold primarily to people who cut vinyl.

Depending on the condition of the vinyl, you will probably still have glue residue which will require Goo Gone or whatever.

Richard

Originally posted by Twisterspecial
OctaneGuy,

Thanks for the tip on the tool. I will try to locate and purchase it in my area and give it a try.

Regards,
Mike