Date:         Sat, 18 Nov 2000 22:05:58 EST
Reply-To:     JKrevnov@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Removing Westfalia Stickers
Comments: To: psavage@saber.net
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 11/18/00 10:41:08 AM, psavage@SABER.NET writes:

<< Can anyone recommend a safe way to remove

a crumbling Westfalia sticker from the fiberglass

luggage rack? >>

Phaedra,

I assume that the Westy stickers are a vinyl applique.  If so, first warm
them a while with a stream of hot water straight from the tap, use your
fingernail to start to lift them, then peel them off as far as you can.
Repeat this process as often as needed.  You can warm them with a heat gun or
hair dryer, but there is a risk of overheating, especially with the heat gun.
 Also, auto body supply houses sell a wheel which is, in a way, a rotary
eraser designed specifically to safely remove vinyl pinstripping.

I used the hot water method a few years ago to remove the "artwork" from a
BMW fuel tank which had more tacky appliques on it than a craft store stocks.
 The water was just the right temperature to soften the adhesive and make the
vinyl pliant without harming the finish.  After I removed the stickers, I
cleaned off the residue with mineral spirits.  A good coat of wax and the
finish was perfect.

One other thing: after a period of time, the elements fade the finish while
the paint beneath the sticker maintains its original hue.  This shadow image
still looks better than a tatty sticker.

Rich