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Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 3:10 pm
by Warmi
I got my new N vinyl numbers and while it is fairly simple process to apply them, I am wondering how to approach removal of old lettering.

This is a carbon fiber plane - so far the only consistent advice I found (mostly on various boat forums ) was to use a heat source ( hair dryer etc ) and slowly and carefully peel off the old stuff.

Any other ideas ? Also, if there are some glue residue left, what would be the best way to clean it up ? Good old plain warm water + soap ?

Thanks

Re: Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 4:56 pm
by joey4420
heat gun (hair dryer) or let it sit on the ramp on a hot day for a few hours.

Peel. Any left over glue, soap and water is always the safest way of removing.

Re: Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 5:03 pm
by Wm.Ince
Warmi wrote:. . . "if there are some glue residue left, what would be the best way to clean it up ?" . . .
For that application, "Goof Off" (Home Depot) works really well.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Goof-Off-6-o ... /206726072

Re: Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 5:57 pm
by 3Dreaming
I would check the maintenance manuals to see if there is any warning about cleaning products. I know with Flight Design anything you use needs to be a neutral Ph. Adhesive removers may not be neutral Ph. For the Flight Design I have used old style enamel reducer to remove tape residue. It doesn't seem to bother the paint, or the construction material. It might be worth giving the folks you bought the airplane from a call. Lighter fluid on a rag might work too.

Re: Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 8:12 pm
by roger lee
If it's a CT it will in fact take a heat gun and most likely 2 days work. It's slow and tedious.Yes you will want to clean the area where the vinyl came off, but there shouldn't be and large residue left after the peel. Heat it don't cook it.

Re: Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 3:32 pm
by Warmi
Got everything done.

Old numbers came off without any problems. Got the plane cleaned with Goof Off ( as suggested by Wm.Ince ) + water - no problem whatsoever.
It took about 2 hours to get all of that done , including new numbers ( mostly trying to align everything ) but everything turned out perfectly.

Thanks for your help.

Re: Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 6:48 am
by 914Driver
I would use a hair dryer and some patience. The heat may be a concern, but how hot does it get sitting un the sun?

Eastwood Co. (car guys) sell a vinyl eraser for ~$15. http://www.eastwood.com/vinyl-eraser-and-arbor.html



Image

Re: Removing vinyl lettering

Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 7:31 pm
by drseti
I've done this a number of times, using an industrial heat gun from Harbor Freight (caution: use the low heat setting!) For glue removal, I've had good luck using isopropyl alcohol on cotton swabs.