Suggestions Need to remove and replace about 40 10" reflective numbers from glass

[jtiii]

Exterior. They've been on for at least five years. I've got stainless razor blades and rapid remover, but I wasn't sure if there were any tips to speed up the process. Also will just alcohol clean up the rapid remover residue enough to apply new vinyl right away?

Thanks in advance y'all!

 

[Ldiprinting]

Depending on the temperature of the glass/outside, heat is always to way to go for a clean removal. But not too hot as it could crack the glass.

 

[Mike Paul]

Sounds like a tough removal.

Reflective can be a bear to get off on a truck, never removed reflective on glass.

Using heat on glass is a bad idea.

Get a 4 inch razor scraper and spray the decals down with soapy water so it slides easily when pushing them up.

Charge accordingly for your time and risk of breaking the glass…

Isopropyl will remove rapid remover before new graphics are applied just use new paper towels constantly so you not smearing it around.

You probably won’t need rapid remover, the razor should be able to handle the adhesive.

.

 

[citysignshop]

If it's old and crispy, it may break up/chip as you're scraping it off. I've had the most luck with using LOTS of soapy water and a 2" razor blade, shave away at it just an inch at a time...you can go pretty fast if you get the speed, angle, pressure right! Oddly, this will dull the blade, so be ready to change it frequently. You don't often need adhesive remover, that just makes a mess and stink! You may want to remove the 'ghosts' with a wet sponge and mild abrasive cleanser ( coment, ajax, etc.) Final prep with iso should get the surface ready.
...and WHY are there reflective numbers on glass? who's driving up to this glass? We often have people ask for reflective "...because I really want it to show up!"....when in fact there's no light source..... for the viewer to benefit from this feature!

 

[jtiii]

and WHY are there reflective numbers on glass? who's driving up to this glass? We often have people ask for reflective "...because I really want it to show up!"....when in fact there's no light source..... for the viewer to benefit from this feature!

This one actually kind of makes sense. It's a facility with over one hundred exterior doors and it's to make it very easy for emergency responders to find the right entrance quickly.

 

[Gino]

Don't use a heat source, other than the friction you cook up with your elbow grease. I've done many reflective on & off off glass. A lotta professional building do it, so cars can see them while driving around in the parking lot. Am I gonna argue ?? Fug no. Easiest is to just bear down on a clean metal razor blade and holder and take plenty of extras. Like mentioned, just go slowly and you'll have them finished quick enough. You can use rapid remover to remove the glue that stays behind, as it's much better/faster than alcohol. Also, rapid remover cleans up with water.

 

[bigben]

Spray with rapid remover, cover with any kind of plastic (bubble wrap, garbage bag, vinyl liner, etc.) to keep the humidity in there and let it soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Then scrape it off. If it fell in multiple pieces, cover it with a cheap laminate film. it will help to remove in one piece.

 

[MikePro]

for glass removal, i'm a HUGE fan of just getting a razor blade with a solid grip/handle and shaveshaveshave.
no point in trying to get the letters off as a whole piece of vinyl, you'll get a good rhythm going of just taking them down 1/4" line at a time.

once the vinyl is gone, you'll want some rapid remover handy to soften the adhesive and then shave that too.

 

[The Blind Signman]

the next time ANYONE applys refective vinyl to glass or anywere? BACK it with vinyl! and the removal is alot easier ..and the cracks wont happen..learned this in the EARLY 90's at the Atlantic City Sign world 1993..I bet YOU WERE ALL THERE! LOL