P.O. left some hideous chrome lettering on the fiberglass bumper of my new car. I'm scared to use a razor blade, goo gone and WD40 do nothing. It's old enough that it comes off in tiny, tiny flecks when I try one of those plastic razor blades.
Someone has recommended a pinstriping removal wheel (like this) but has also said that it could damage the bumper if you don't have a deft touch. Any other suggestions?
Gentle heat?
Heat gun used carefully, or a hair drier.
Careful with heat if you soften the paint it may pull the paint off
I have had very good luck using a laundry steamer to remove stickers.
Something like this can be found for under 20 bucks at your favorite department store.
Its also awesome for removing bad window tint.
Gentle heat is the probably the best way to go. I've also had success with the eraser wheel in the past, but it can get ugly in a hurry if you're not careful and usually it works best if you can buff and polish afterwards. Patience will be key. Edited for just seeing the steamer, that's a really good idea as well.
In reply to calteg:
I had some factory 4x4 stickers and some body molding tape on nissan frontier, the stickers were fading and starting to peel and the molding tape was along the door after I ripped the molding off. Bought a removal wheel from amazon put it on a cordless drill and had at it. No problem what so ever pulled off the sticker and molding tape, think of it more like a pencil eraser type material in wheel form. Hit it with the wheel, rubbed a little paint thinner to get any residue off, and hit it with a little wax and buff couldn't even tell they were there.
Penetrating oil. WD40 is not penetrating oil.
PB Blaster works in a pinch but the best sticker removal solvent I have ever used is the penetrating oil that Kimball-Midwest sells.
I have to be careful using the power washer on my older rides as it wants to take the pinstripes off. Have you tried high pressure water?
Pressure washer is a good quick and easy method. But you can burn the paint on plastic panels, ask me how I know....that poor Saturn ION...
Shotgun
Heat or steam. I was able to remove a sticker on the back of my CC with a steamer that had been there since the early 90s with no problems. Just go slow.
Dental floss then adhesive remover or solvant
Goof off but test on paint some place first.
mbmsg wrote: In reply to calteg: I had some factory 4x4 stickers and some body molding tape on nissan frontier, the stickers were fading and starting to peel and the molding tape was along the door after I ripped the molding off. Bought a removal wheel from amazon put it on a cordless drill and had at it. No problem what so ever pulled off the sticker and molding tape, think of it more like a pencil eraser type material in wheel form. Hit it with the wheel, rubbed a little paint thinner to get any residue off, and hit it with a little wax and buff couldn't even tell they were there.
^^^I think this would be best. A little rubbing compound and a gentle wheel should take them off. Keep it moving and don't press too hard.
See if you can get thread or floss under an edge to get it started. If it's crusty to the point of coming off in flecks, try laying some masking or painter's tape over it and then apply gentle heat. Start pulling back the masking tape and the sticker may just come with it once you get the edge going and get it hot enough.
Shotgun?
Mineral spirits
3M Adhesive Remover. It is magic.
heat gun but don't get crazy w/ it. if any adhesive is left wd40 or solvent should remove it. I tend to use lacquer thinner but not safe on everything.
when i washed cars at the dealership we used a heat gun and plastic razor blades to remove stickers, it seemed like the winning combination.
Detail and Vinyl shops use these wheels on their pneumatic guns. Best way to remove vinyl wraps as well. Whizzy wheel vinyl remover 3m Vinyl remover
93EXCivic wrote: 3M Adhesive Remover. It is magic.
This^^^
Cover it with a sticker of your favorite magazine!
edizzle89 wrote: when i washed cars at the dealership we used a heat gun and plastic razor blades to remove stickers, it seemed like the winning combination.
This is exactly what I tried yesterday, though I was being extremely cautious with the heat. Didn't go so well. I try the steam this evening
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