Date:         Sat, 15 May 1999 16:13:31 -0700
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <jwalker@URONRAMP.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <jwalker@URONRAMP.NET>
Subject:      Re: Removing Stickers, Decals
Comments: To: Kevin Sullivan <ksull@MBARI.ORG>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>Anyway, how do I remove those lame decals stripes
>(auto manufactures seem to be using more and more)
>without doing damage to the paint? Is it just a time
>consuming chore or is there something I can use to
>peel it off in seconds?

there are two products that work wonderfully, if you follow the
directions!! ;) both are by 3M, and are usually available at body shop
suppliers (the folks that sell the paint and bondo to the
fender-fixers/body-shops themselves. look in the yellow pages, under
Autobmobile).

the first is Woodgrain & Stripe Remover, part no. 08907. spray can (18
oz). about $10/can. this is the stuff that causes the strip to just
shrivel up like old orange peel and you can just peel it off with your
fingers (wear gloves if you're allergic to chemicals/etc.). however,
it leaves behind the gummy old adhesive (from the backside of the
decal/stripe/whatever). so we need...

Woodgrain and Stripe Adhesive Remover, part no. 08908, spray can (18
oz). about $8/can. this is really disgusting-looking stuff. looks like
someone blew their nose on your car. :( yuk. but leave it on the old
adhesive for a while then wipe it off. some older decals/stripes may
take several applications of the stuff. leaves a whitish residue that
washes off with water. 3M also makes a General Purpose Adhesive
Remover, in a red quart can (about $7/can) that also works, but takes
more effort and scrubbing. the GP stuff is also really good for
removing road tar, bugs, and tree sap.

follow the directions on all of these, especially the temperature
ranges. the Stripe Remover and Stripe Adhesive Remover work much much
better/quicker if the outside temperature is over 80F degrees. below
75F or so, and it takes forever for them to work.

i've tried other stuff, heat guns, hair dryers, and just plain old
scraping, and these two cans saved me so much trouble that i keep them
around ... and i don't even have any more stripes to take off!! :)
good stuff.

unca joel