Removing Vinyl

[leerobcody]

Does anyone have any tricks or advice of how to remove vinyl lettering from work vans? I have 30+ vans to do for a customer and I have never removed before.

[GVP]

MBX Vinyl Zapper

[letterman7]

Oy... search function bud. That's a real basic task for any shop. If you can't handle it, send him to me... I'm not that far away!

[Mosh]

I hate my "employees" out there peeling and heating and peeling....pretty basic stuff!

[SignTech]

heat - plastic scraper edge - finger nails - mild glue remover see fellers for after vinyl is removed - patience -

hope you charged appropriately, depending on amount to be removed and vinyl type (especially crap vinyl) it can be as labor intensive as installing ...

sign a waiver with customer ... no guarantee if paint fails and you're not held responsible ... it's bound to happen

[jwright350]

Hate to say it.. but low cost, temporary labor with plastic scrappers and a heat gun is where its at when you have 30 to do would be my guess (i've never done 30 at once). (Assuming its just cut vinyl.) You'd be amazed what 8 bucks an hour will do! LOL.

You can get one of those vinyl zappers and spray on the orange peel and go pretty fast. I've seen those put to very good use removing impossibly stuck on wraps.

We charge $48 per hour for removal.

[Mosh]

I got a job to remove a house from a lot. I already got the job since I was low bid, can someone tell me what I need to do to remove the house and if I might need a dumptruck?

[jwright350]

call David Copperfield or Chris Angel. LOL

[leerobcody]

If you don't like, don't read!

[letterman7]

If you don't like, don't read!
If you don't search, you'll get hounded, especially for your first post. There isn't enough info here - are they full wraps, just vinyl, a combination? If they are inside you'll be ahead of the game in this weather; heat guns, lots of time and two guys working for about a week. You could try a hot water pressure washer - I've heard that it will work, but I've never personally tried it.

[MikePro]

+1 to search function, i believe there's at least 3 other threads with the same content... including replies.


if you're taking on a project to remove 30 vans' worth of graphics, I assume you've removed vinyl before. So my best advice would be:
....1 at a time.

ooor, learn how to train someone to do it well, pay them $6 an hour, and bill out $30 an hour plus tax plus overhead.

[leerobcody]

Bein new I apologize for not knowing about the search, will know next time. It is just lettering and a logo no wraps. They are supplying a heated building which will help this time of year. I got asked by a friend to do this because a large local company shafted them. Contrary to some peoples beliefs that I may have undercut someone else and am now looking for help. Thanks for the worthwhile suggestions!

[SignTech]

don't sweat it .......... just cover your butt legally in writing especially if it's a friend ...... you will pull up paint or cause minor scratches potentially ....... introduce yourself on s101 ......... have thick skin ... it's a good place ......

[Gino]

Hey leer.....

Don't worry about knowing where search buttons are or how this place functions, you'll eventually figure it all out, just like this job with the 30 trucks, but..........

You don't like the dumb responses to your opening post.... :frustrated: so try this on.


How 'bout explaining how one bids out 30 vans to remove all the vinyl and doesn't have a clue as to how long it will take.....

How 'bout explaining how one bids out 30 vans to remove all the vinyl and doesn't have a clue as to what materials or supplies one needs......

How 'bout explaining how one bids out 30 vans to remove all the vinyl and doesn't have a clue as to how to approach the job.........


How did you come up with a price fair to you ...AND your customer [guinea pig] for this job. You don't know if it will be a van or two a day or one a week. How does the rest of your work-flow take place if you're gonna be away at someone else's heated garage for the next month or two ??

Sure hope you figured in lost time on the rest of your projects. :doh:

[formanek]

I got a job to remove a house from a lot. I already got the job since I was low bid, can someone tell me what I need to do to remove the house and if I might need a dumptruck?

Chill out! Not all of us are Gods like you.

[CheapVehicleWrap]

Hate to say it.. but low cost, temporary labor with plastic scrappers and a heat gun is where its at when you have 30 to do would be my guess (i've never done 30 at once). (Assuming its just cut vinyl.) You'd be amazed what 8 bucks an hour will do! LOL.

You can get one of those vinyl zappers and spray on the orange peel and go pretty fast. I've seen those put to very good use removing impossibly stuck on wraps.

We charge $48 per hour for removal.


Ohh yes, you can CERTAINLY be amazed at what $8 hr. can do; to a single vehicle let alone 30. Just figure on 1-3k per repaint and you'll understand the potential liability. Definitely not a road I'd take.

[gabagoo]

Heat guns are fine but sometimes I like using a wallpaper steamer. They dont burn you as bad as the heat gun. Ours accidently had the head break off so it is now just a hose that spouts hot steam and works better than when it was new!!

[FS-Keith]

Hey leer.....




How 'bout explaining how one bids out 30 vans to remove all the vinyl and doesn't have a clue as to how long it will take.....
How 'bout explaining how one bids out 30 vans to remove all the vinyl and doesn't have a clue as to what materials or supplies one needs......
How 'bout explaining how one bids out 30 vans to remove all the vinyl and doesn't have a clue as to how to approach the job.........


How did you come up with a price fair to you ...AND your customer [guinea pig] for this job. You don't know if it will be a van or two a day or one a week. How does the rest of your work-flow take place if you're gonna be away at someone else's heated garage for the next month or two ??

Sure hope you figured in lost time on the rest of your projects. :doh:


:iamwithstupid

[Mosh]

Chill out! Not all of us are Gods like you.

Us "gods" don't bid on jobs we don't know how to do! Guess that is why we are gods!!!!

[Dave Drane]

MBX Vinyl Zapper
+1. This is the only way to go. The machine will pay for itself after the first truck. Remember though that vinyl goes on faster than it comes off so charge accordingly.:thumb:

[ragedracer1977]

Just registered here. Thought I'd give you my 2 cents. I stripped 5 vans like in the first pic. Took me and another guy 2 12 hour days. And that was in 115 degree outdoor temps. Used blow torches and elbow grease to get the vinyl off. Then goof off (in jugs!) to get the residue off. If your 30 are anything like those 5, plan on a LONG time. The Arizona sun is not kind to vinyl.

(Edit: Holy crap. Just realized I bumped an old thread for my first post. Apologies. )

[heyskull]

Here is what I do.....
Put in a realistic estimate for removal (please note an estimate not a quote) of graphics.
The customer will normally complain, so you offer them the use of your workshop after work hours for him to take them off, just lighting, electric and chemicals to pay for.
Usually this is accepted and after 2 nights once they have one side removed!!!!
They will give in and accept original quote.

SC

[xtremesignshop/brad]

go find an Idiot from the Greensburg,PA area and give them a buffer....tadah!

or use hard plastic chisels heat guns and rapid remover