Vinyl Signwriting Remover

[Leptons]

I have just replaced the back doors on my van with some solid ones rather than the ones fitted before that had glass in (security reasons).
The trouble I have is that there is vinyl red and yellow striping on the doors which has obviously been on for years and it refuses to peel off. It does come off with your fingernail in 1 mm pieces. Any ideas? I have googled it and found a few products but which is best?

[calibrax]

A hairdryer.

[badboyburt]

Hairdryer/heatgun and some sticky stuff remover




£2.49 Ebay,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINI-Sticky-Stuff-Liquid...

[VBRJ]

calibrax said:

A hairdryer.

+1

[Jazoli]

calibrax said:

A hairdryer.

Yes a hairdryer, get the stickers nice and warm and they should just peel off.

[530dTPhil]

Use a hot air gun to soften the vinyl and it should peel off more easily in bigger pieces. Be careful not to use too much heat or you will burn your fingers pulling the vinyl or scorch the paint.

If it's been on the paint for some while, you will probably need to use cutting compund on the doors to restore any semblance of one colour.

[MarsellusWallace]

A hairdryer probably won't get hot enough to get the vinyl off effectively.I bought a cheap heat gun from b and q for 20 quid which does the job a treat-just watch you don't get the paint too hot.i work small areas and apply heat gun for 20 seconds or so at a time.

[shakindog]

A steam wallpaper stripper works well

[shakindog]

A steam wallpaper stripper works well

[spikeyhead]

shakindog said:

A steam wallpaper stripper works well

A hot water jet wash works even better.

[Neilsfirst]

If you are feeling really lazy, WD40 works a treat. Did my whole car with it before selling.

[Leptons]

Basically I've tried most of those things. I have removed vinyl before but this is different. The stripes have gone brittle almost so heating doesn't work. It's almost become like a layer of paint. The bits I have got off the paint is mint underneath.

[VBRJ]

Sounds like paint to me.

Have you tried paint stripper?

[Leptons]

I can confirm that a wallpaper steamer and an old CD used as a scraper (sharp but won't scratch the paint) is the way to go.

Thanks for the suggestions

Edit: forgot to say I used Autosmart Tardis on the residue. Spray on and leave for a few minutes and just wipe off.

Edited by Leptons on Thursday 9th January 08:47

[paintman]

530dTPhil said:

Use a hot air gun to soften the vinyl and it should peel off more easily in bigger pieces. Be careful not to use too much heat or you will burn your fingers pulling the vinyl or scorch the paint.

If it's been on the paint for some while, you will probably need to use cutting compund on the doors to restore any semblance of one colour.

^^^^^This.
I do a lot of these on vans & caravans. If there is any sticky residue left on the panel use a proprietary Tar and Glue remover from Halfords or similar. I use Brake & Clutch cleaner & - to date - have had no issues with paint.
You may find that if they have been on for a long time that there will be variations in the paint shading - even on white vehicles. Not a great deal can be done other than refinishing.

[rallycross]

Boil kettle
Add a bit cold water the Pour onto vinyl and peel off whilst still pouring hot water on.
Use tar remover to get rid of any glue/residue