Removing decals: lots of em'

[Destroyer]

Bought this '96 Chevy van a week or so ago. Its a conversion with a lot of decals. everything that is teal aside from the bottom spoilers is a decal. I'd like to remove them. Any advice on taking them off?. I tried using a razor and a hair dryer on a couple of spots but that would take forever plus I dont think it would come out too good. A friend told me about an attachment for a power drill that would strip the adhesive right off but is not sure what its called. Any tips?. Thanks.

[z06bigbird]

Couple of ways:

1. Go to local army surplus store and buy a flame thrower. Adjust nozzle down to minimum setting.

2. Go to McDonalds. Soak veh in large vat of their food. Anything will do. Be careful with milkshake, as it has more salt than other foods. Salt can scratch paint.

3. Listen so someone not as crazy.

[CIWS]

Large bottle of Goo-Gone ?

[z06bigbird]

Go to an independent body shop (mom & pop). Manager/owner will likely tell you hints on this job. I have found that the bureacracy in the chain shops will generally prevent you from getting past the receptionists. Many times, you won't get much more than the time of day at the chains.

[Benzilla]

Damn that's a shame, I really like how it looks now.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

What? The decals are too for you?

[Rolex]

I'd use my fingernails to get them started, and take your sweet time peeling them so they come off in one piece. The left over sticky junk comes off with a little Turtle Wax and some elbow grease.

[caddycruiser]

Hmm, good question. I hate stickers, but think it looks terrific now, and all stripped will just end up like a refrigerator/cargo van with windows and nice wheels.

If you absolutely must, my only guess too is just getting it started piece by piece with a fingernail or something and just keep going, then goo-gone, polish, etc. Could be an ever so slightly different shade of white underneath because of the 11 years, as well.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

What? The decals are too for you?

No they look ok but up close a lot of them have scratches and you can see the white paint underneath, etc. I'm not gonna go out of my way to find new ones so I figure I'll take these off and make it look more like a work van, lol.

[Red_October_7000]

Shit, that looks cool. If I lived in FL I'd have one of those too; I considered one ages ago when I was buying my first car, but as those are scary-bad in snow I decided against it. I'd leave it alone until I found new decals, to be honest. Up near me there's a firm called Yankee Custom that does that sort of stuff, but I don't know if they're just the northeast.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

I don't think I've ever seen a conversion van come into work without a lot of decals like that. Who was the conversion company originally? Waldoch? Explorer?


EDIT: I see the Gulf Stream logo...nevermind.

[gothicaleigh]

You need a vinyl eraser and a jug of RapidRemover.







Get a few plastic razor blades too (will help scrape off the vinyl without harming the paint).

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Hey, Gothicaleigh reminded me of something. Nick, why don't you buy a bunch of those Cadillacowners.com vinyls from her and cover your van with them?

You are a supporter right?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

Hey, Gothicaleigh reminded me of something. Nick, why don't you buy a bunch of those Cadillacowners.com vinyls from her and cover your van with them?

You are a supporter right?

Cause its not a Caddy and I'm not a Caddy owner as of right now.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by gothicaleigh

You need a vinyl eraser and a jug of RapidRemover.







Get a few plastic razor blades too (will help scrape off the vinyl without harming the paint).

That is what I think my buddy was talking about. I see if I can find one on ebay. Thanks.