Paint over decal?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Paint over decal?
Needing advice....I have a '82 model with really nice original paint. The hood stripe decal is not so good and is really faded. I do not want to repaint the car and needing to know if it is possible to get the original decal off the car without screwing up the paint.
Another question: would it be possible to repaint directly on top of the vinyl decal with original colors, or could I order a new stripe and place directly over the original faded stripe?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Druzac
Another question: would it be possible to repaint directly on top of the vinyl decal with original colors, or could I order a new stripe and place directly over the original faded stripe?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Druzac
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Check with the vendors like Willcox, CC, and CA. I bet you can get a new decal set. Should also be able to get the old decal off, definitely would not paint over it. Some other folks I'm sure will chime in with good advice on how to remove the decal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Put the spray gun down and step away from the car. There is nothing that will make a fresh paint job look worse than cutting large corners such as painting over something that ought best to have been removed and replaced.
In the case of my SAE, most of them came pretty much right off at the coin op car wash (
), but they were only a few months old at the time. (Had the ones I wanted back on the car re-done by hand.) For those which have had decades to set, there are solvent products available which can also help release them, or you could elect careful use of a heat gun. Can't speak to the wonder wheel thing. You might start a point with a razor, but I'd minimize exposing your paint to that method. In any event, be patient. It's when you start forcing things when you're most likely to do harm. HTH
.
In the case of my SAE, most of them came pretty much right off at the coin op car wash (
), but they were only a few months old at the time. (Had the ones I wanted back on the car re-done by hand.) For those which have had decades to set, there are solvent products available which can also help release them, or you could elect careful use of a heat gun. Can't speak to the wonder wheel thing. You might start a point with a razor, but I'd minimize exposing your paint to that method. In any event, be patient. It's when you start forcing things when you're most likely to do harm. HTH.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Virginia
Use a hair dryer to loosen a corner with the help of a plastic razor blade. Then just work if from there using the hair dryer to release the adhesive. WD-40 is safe on paint and effective at removing adhesive.
Use the least aggressive method possible: Hair Dryer at about two-inches pointed at the corner to loosen it, then try pulling by hand. If you can't get an edge to rise, then step up to a plastic razor blade. Once you have it off try washing the residue off at a car wash with high pressure. If that doesn't work, use WD-40 sparingly to remove the adhesive area and re-spray the car down.
Agree with SkunkWorks, worst thing you can do is paint over it.
Steve
Use the least aggressive method possible: Hair Dryer at about two-inches pointed at the corner to loosen it, then try pulling by hand. If you can't get an edge to rise, then step up to a plastic razor blade. Once you have it off try washing the residue off at a car wash with high pressure. If that doesn't work, use WD-40 sparingly to remove the adhesive area and re-spray the car down.
Agree with SkunkWorks, worst thing you can do is paint over it.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,459
Likes: 13
From: Phoenix
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'09
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The volatiles in many paints will cause decals to pucker and shrivel. 
You should remove...or have removed...any decals, stickers, labels, tape add-ons, etc before you prep or paint your car. If you wish to put replacement items back on the new paint (after it cures), most every item is reproduced in the aftermarket parts system.
You should remove...or have removed...any decals, stickers, labels, tape add-ons, etc before you prep or paint your car. If you wish to put replacement items back on the new paint (after it cures), most every item is reproduced in the aftermarket parts system.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
Patience is the ticket. Heat gun, low temp, take your time. Mistakes cost money. Never fear what you are doing just take your time.
A good friend of mine would always rush into tedious jobs, he thought the sooner he got in and out he would have no problems. Believe me his haste brought on a lot of problems.
'A mouse trap is safe when the clasp is secured'. Like all jobs, take your time and you won't get caught.
A good friend of mine would always rush into tedious jobs, he thought the sooner he got in and out he would have no problems. Believe me his haste brought on a lot of problems.
'A mouse trap is safe when the clasp is secured'. Like all jobs, take your time and you won't get caught.