Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

[Paint-Shield.ca]

I have a Semi Truck coming into the shop on Thursday, now detailing a Semi is nothing new to me and I'm not worried about getting it back into prime hauling condition.

My question is, someone Painted on their company name, etc over the Clear Coat. Now this truck is about 15-20 years old so I can't be too sure how much Clear is left on the paint to begin with. The customer wants the "Decal's (Paint)" removed as he is getting new vinyl logos printed up.

What would be the best product to efficiently get the Painting off the truck without potentially damaging the clear coat? I'm not sure what type of paint it is, it feels very crude. I have "Automotive" grade 3M adhesive remover that is safe to use on clear's for removing moldings, decal adhesive, etc

What would the pro's suggest?

Again, this is someone Painting over top of the vehicles Clear Coat, its bare paint that you can chip off with a finger nail...not sure why someone would do this to begin with. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

The customer wants the "Decal's (Paint)" removed as he is getting new vinyl logos printed up.

Are you talking about removing a decal?


Sorry for not being quite clear.

[Paint-Shield.ca]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

It is their former company logo, but it was paint on, over top of the clear. So its a decal but not the sticker or vinyl type your thinking of.

[THE BIG BUFFER]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

Not sure if this will help or not but it is kinda the same thing. I had a customers car that was spray pained by vandels. I tried using different solvents but nothing worked. So I tried wet sanding the path of spray paint. I used a 2000 grit paper and just took my time. I sanded then polished using a wool pad and UC. Took me a while but it did work. The car was white (which helped) and the paint was yellow. I would guess(and this is only a guess) that you could do the same if the lettering is on top of the CC. Really all you'd be sanding is the painted lettering. Just be careful not to go into the clear. Maybe try a test spot?? Any pics??

[Paint-Shield.ca]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

I was hoping I wasn't going to have to wet sand as that's going to eat into my time and money/hr obviously. But if that's the only option then, that's just what's going to have to happen. No pictures unfortunately, the truck won't be in the shop till Thursday morning, but I will get some pics when he shows up. Hopefully another easier technique arises before Thursday morning.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

he is getting new vinyl logos printed up.

If the new vinyl logos are bigger than the current "painted" on logo, then you could simply wet sand just enough to smooth it out, then slap the new vinyl logo over the existing logo.

If the new logos (vinyl) are smaller than the existing, (painted on) then there is an issue. I would make them agree to not make you responsible when/if the finish becomes damaged when/if you try to remove the painted on logos.

[Paint-Shield.ca]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

Nope, the vinyl logos are perforated and not the same size, so the paint has to be as clean as possible.

[Paint-Shield.ca]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

TTT anyone else have advice, all suggestions welcome.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

It sounds like this painted on logo has been there for quite some time. Wet sanding and buffing is probably your only real option. Sorry.

[Paint-Shield.ca]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

"Easy Off" Oven Cleaner did the job perfectly, way better than the first attempt at wet sanding did.

Here's some pictures....its came out great. Yes the painted on logo's were on there for the life of the vehicle. But after letting the oven cleaner sit on for about 20 minutes and some elbow grease they came off 99%.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

"Easy Off" Oven Cleaner did the job perfectly, way better than the first attempt at wet sanding did.

[/IMG]

Easy Off Oven Cleaner?


Kids, don't try this at home!

[StoneRaizer]

Re: Need Help! Paint Removal, Over Clear Coat.

Easy Off has some nasty fumes and is designed to eat through burnt on oven grease. I imagine there has to be a strong acid as one of its ingredients so I shudder to think what it's done to that truck's clearcoat.