any ideas removing old stripes?

[racershawn]

Hey all ... I have an RV with fiberflass sides and old stripes that the customer wants removed....anyone have any advice on removing them??

 

[signmeup]

Charge by the hour.
3M makes several spray can products for removing glue and vinyl. It's about $25 a can up here. Looks like you'll be needing some for that old alligatored vinyl.

 

[WhiskeyDreamer]

id try one of those erasers....i only ever used it once, and it made a mess, but it was on a similar job....really old vinyl that didn't want to come off nicely/quickly/easily....the eraser made the job go much faster...

 

[Jillbeans]

Hairdryer, a L'il Chizler, and Rapid Remover.
Hourly fee, and it will take many hours and probably leave a ghost, which you will never be able to cover exactly if there are any curves etc.
Although you did not mention replacing the stripes, just removing them.
Love.....Jill

 

[GVP]

If you go down the Eraser/Zapper route, be aware that those rubber wheels can cause burn marks on fiberglass if you dwell on one spot too long - and you can't get rid of them. Ask me how I know..

 

[racershawn]

thanks guys ... I thought about the eraser... but had not used it on a big job before ... and yes I will be replacing the stripes but with differant bigger ones that will cover most of the area

 

[G-Artist]

Recently I saw a YouTube vid by Vinyl Off.

Anyone ever use it? Work as advertised? Worth the price?

 

[diamondavenue]

vinyl off is pretty good, but be careful around plastic components. ask me how i learned that. for a big job like the one shown i think id try the eraser.

 

[BobM]

Heat, lil chilzler, Rapid remove, lots of patience and care.

 

[cptcorn]

thanks guys ... I thought about the eraser... but had not used it on a big job before ... and yes I will be replacing the stripes but with differant bigger ones that will cover most of the area

Recently I saw a YouTube vid by Vinyl Off.

Anyone ever use it? Work as advertised? Worth the price?

Don't use vinyl off on this, it won't work well. I tried it. Bought an eraser wheel... Done in about 4 hours, 24' motor-home with fiberglass.

Edit, oh yeah, not the drill attachment... I used the pneumatic eraser wheel.

 

[ABPGraphics]

If you go down the Eraser/Zapper route, be aware that those rubber wheels can cause burn marks on fiberglass if you dwell on one spot too long - and you can't get rid of them. Ask me how I know..

I had the BURN SPOT happen to me - so I would be very careful!!!!
It was not on fiberglass but just an old painted vehicle - be careful!

 

[luggnut]

Yep these old stripes are a nightmare... i hate removing vinyl and these kinds are the worst. i charge the same hourly rate for this as i would for designing a wrap... i try to get them to do it themselves or hire a body shop and it is still gonna leave a ghosted look behind. but this looks like a lot of work at 4hours it would cost him about $350 here for just removal.

 

[MikePro]

does universal paint thinner have any effect on fiberglass?
once had to take really old reflective material off aluminum panels that were going to get repainted anyways, so i soaked some rags and let them sit on the vinyl for a few hours... ate right through the vinyl
granted, it takes paint with it too... so I'm not sure if this would be the best idea for vehicular removal.

 

[signmeup]

I wonder if 3M vinyl remover would work?

 

[Bill Binns]

Always had good luck with the 3M wheels ( the one with all sandwiched pads ) Used to do motorhomes all the time. Gotta charge by the hour and you can't really guarantee the finish. If they insist on a guarantee, kindly show them the door.

 

[Mosh]

I use a 3M wheel that is 1" thick and it works great on our air drill. I hate doing it, I have my "employees" do this type of work all the time.

 

[tintguy31794]

give him a price that he would want to forget all about striping it is what I would do... if he still wants it then wow ok....

 

[heyskull]

WOW

Yet another set of burnt on stripes that the customer wants removed for pocket change and will take nearly 2 days to remove!!
Then the customer will complain that the paint has faded or been damaged by you taking them off!!!!
Used a 3M wheel before and got good results but it still is going to take a heap of time to do something like this and the mess is awfull.
Scare him of with a HUGE quote, that's what I normally do.

SC

 

[SignosaurusRex]

The "Zapper" will do the job! Its electric and has a tendency to heat up where the air powered (Pneumatic) wont, so a pneumatic version works better. You'll want to use the RED-TREAD brand eraser wheel from Dynabrade (part # 92255) which you can get from most auto-body & paint suppliers. Don't go too fast or bear down too hard and you'll be fine without burning any paint or fiberglass. You can finish off any residual adhesives etc. with a medium solvent or lacquer thinner on that unit pictured.