Removing my decals

[slider]

Tired of looking at my curling/peeling decals so I'm taking them off. I got started this weekend and spent about 4 hours doing one side. Other than being slow it is going pretty well.

Best method I've found was using a heat gun and plastic razor blades (look like regular razor blade scraper but with plastic blades). Then spray with a product called Rapid Remover. First spray it, then scrape with plastic scraper, then spray once more and wipe with paper towel. This is the best adhesive remover I've tried (better than WD40, Goo Gone, Acetone).

Afterwards, I've got to take care of the ghosting from the faded Filon. Have read that Meguiars 105/205 combo is the ticket for that, will let you know in a couple weeks.

I'm building a shed this winter and won't do new decals until done with that. Thinking right now about just doing some horizontal stripes in black and copper - camper graphics look kinda tacky if you ever step back and think about it.

[theeyres]

Good luck. I haven't done it but have heard it is a slow, tedious job. I'm surprised to hear you have curling, faded graphics on a 2011.

[f6bits]

My stickers are holding up remarkably well, except for the front one. For some reason, it's two layers in parts. The top layer is starting to curl. I ordered and received a replacement, but for now I'm using a plastic putty knife to scrape the curls off as they occur. Eventually I'll remove the whole thing and put the new one on.

I'd like to hear how well the ghosting is managed.

[slider]

[Pulln]

Man that looks amazingly clean. I appreciate the tips on tools and technique as my 09 Fuzion is curling and my wife and I are debating how to handle this task.

[slider]

I am confident that what I am doing is going to work for me, its slow and tedious but absolutely getting every bit of the decal and adhesive off. Might even go better if it wasn't 35 deg out when I was doing it.

Now as far as the ghosting, I'm hopeful that I can get rid of it, but not sure yet since I haven't tried.

Santa is bringing me an orbital buffer (even if I have to be Santa myself), then we'll see.

A side note: not sure but seems plausible that if you hold the heat gun too close and in one place too long, you'll heat the adhesive holding the siding on - so I am being mindful of that as I go.

[slider]

Wbdvt asked the following in a diff thread

"Pictures of before and after with the decal removal would be nice. Also the finish details on removing the outdoor grill bracket. How did you finish the holes left?"

As far as the grill bracket, I unsrewed it, took it off and put the screws back in for now with some caulk. I'm looking for a more permanent solution but am thinking JB weld for plastic. That might not be the best option so I am researching and will let you know. Whatever I end up with I'll also do where I take out the cargo door holder thingies.

The only close up before pic I have is this one it was getting dark so its not that great. Coincidentially f6bits posted right after my first pic and his sig pic works very nicely.

[denverpilot]

Are those harder or softer plastic, than say, a $2 spackle applying "scraper" at Home Depot?

Asking 'cause I've not seen the "special" ones... But I've used the spackle "tool" for scraping similar stuff before.

[JRTJH]

There are three hardness types in the multipack. The softest ones are a little softer than the "hard plastic" spackle knife at home depot, but will last significantly longer before getting dulled. The other two are harder and I think do a better job of removing the decals. My biggest frustration is that once any of them are used for a bit,if you're not careful with how you use the edge, they tend to get tiny nicks on the edge and then they won't remove the adhesive in a flat sheet, rather then the adhesive gets scratched more than removed. The scratch lines in the adhesive make it easier to remove with Goo-Gone, etc, but that adds yet another step to the process.

I suppose everyone has their preferences and their observations, but to me, the plastic razor blades seem to be much more durable and easier to use than the plastic spackle knives....

[denverpilot]

Fair 'nuff... Just thought I would ask. Curiosity killed the cat, but got the dog through his Obedience class!

[fireballxl5]

Greetings! Joined about 2 months ago and learning a lot. Picked up my 2007 Laredo 29RL about 4 months ago for 17K. Don't know much history, but it was a bank repo that sat in the North CA sun for quite a while. Dusty, dirty, but it all works. Replaced tires, lighting (with generic LED), installed Fan-tastic Fan, and general cleaning/maint. Now on to topic.
Purchased a bottle of Rapid Remover spray for $20 from a local vinyl wrap wholesale house here in NW WA. My decals are peeling like crazy, with the Laredo by Keystone gone on the driver's side and rear, and almost gone street side. Based upon all that's been written, I didn't think I'd have much help from Keystone, so I've decided to strip the name.
Rapid Tec's spray did the job as advertised! Man, didn't take me any time to get the old dirty adhesive off (had to dodge the rain showers in Federal Way) and cleaned up nice. It really was fast with a cheap plastic scrapper. And lifting the remaining letters was slick with a flat razor knife/scrapper. Will likely remove all the decals (they are cracked or peeling...bad stuff.)
One thing I found really fast: don't let it drip down to your window seals or caulk...it melts that pretty fast too. Next time I will tape something just under to absorb any runoff (and there will be). For me though, I'm glad something actually worked as advertised and thank all of you for the sage advice! Safe journeys!

[wowchad]

Great thread, I'll be doing mine soon too so I'm taking notes.
Seems like I'm one of the few who actually got Keystone to send me a new set of decals although they didn't have them specifically for our Outback Loft anymore.
So far I used the 3M wheel on a drill & while it strips well it leaves a lot of goo behind so I hope to try Rapid Remover and plastic blades to clean that up.

My main question is about prepping once you have a clean slate & before you reinstall new decals. What product(s) are you guys using to even everything out but that decals stick well too?
Then once new decals are on do you wax the whole thing afterward?

[slider]

Resurrecting my old thread here (sorry to anyone who needed info, but I’ve been away a while). I never successfully got rid of the ghosting. It would look okay when clean but after a month or so the areas where the decals were would start looking much more white than rest of camper.

I just left it plain white for a few years. This winter I got a leak in my roof (crack in molding trim and lack of good inspection on my part). Anyway I replaced rubber roof, molding, rotted wood and Filon on front. While I was putting over 40 hrs of work in it, I taped the outline of the old decals and just painted some new ones with marine paint.

Came out pretty good, we’ll see what time does to it.

Can’t get pics to upload right now but will soon as I can.

[slider]

Let’s see if this works....

[ctbruce]

Very nice. And yes it worked.

[slider]

And I did have best luck eventually with:

Perfect-It 36102 White Gelcoat Heavy Cutting Compound and Heavy Cutting Pads on my DA, but I had to spend about 10 mins on an area about 3’ square and do twice.

Still couldn’t get everything the same white, but this provided the best results for me that I experimented with. In the end decided to paint.

[wborisenok]

Man I am so tempted to de-decal my new Bullet Crossfire. I did a quick photoshop to see what it would look like:

[Sarge2]

Originally Posted by wborisenok

Man I am so tempted to de-decal my new Bullet Crossfire. I did a quick photoshop to see what it would look like:

Kind of looks a bit bland...like a semi-trailer..only without the company name.. Sorry just being honest...

[wborisenok]

Originally Posted by Sarge2

Kind of looks a bit bland...like a semi-trailer..only without the company name.. Sorry just being honest...

Hey, you know what they say..opinions are like _______, everyone's got one! All good

[GMH]

I’d advise anyone who’s decals are peeling to do something about it sooner than later. The glue areas that were exposed for years on mine have collected dust and dried solid, I’m not sure how well that is going to come off? I’m thinking white scotch brite pads and lots of grease and wax remover or gun wash.