Removing decal question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,096
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From: Anderson South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Removing decal question
Buying an 01 white C5 that has red hash mark decals on the drivers fender since new. Do you think they can be removed and the paint be okay under? I had a few people say the paint may be damaged or yellowed under the decals. Opinions please. Detailers chime in
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 266
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From: Discovery Bay CA
I would dought the paint would be yellowed? I just removed the C5 logo off of my trunk 2001 Speedway White you could see the out line of the logo but with a little polish and wax it was all gone you cant tell it was ever there
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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Removing decal question
You don't say what the "decals" are made from. I have red team stripes on my AC Cobra replica since it was new in 2004. Recently I replaced them because of a few scratches in them from overly curious admirers. There was not a bit of non-fade to the paint below the stripes. You could not tell they had been there. I have also had similiar stripes on several previously owned Corvettes. While I never took those off, I never heard back from a purchaser. I now have them on my 2010 Corvette.
I use 3M film, obtained from a local sign shop. The stripes usually cost me about one dollar for material- far cheaper than pre-cut ones. They are a chinch to cut. Measure carefully and use an Xacto knife and steel straightedge. The wet method is much preferred for installation, on a cool car.
Good luck. Bob
I use 3M film, obtained from a local sign shop. The stripes usually cost me about one dollar for material- far cheaper than pre-cut ones. They are a chinch to cut. Measure carefully and use an Xacto knife and steel straightedge. The wet method is much preferred for installation, on a cool car.
Good luck. Bob
Last edited by Butterfield Driver; Dec 14, 2011 at 04:09 PM. Reason: Add photo
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
You won't know unless you try it. This time of year, try gentle heat from a hair dryer (or heat gun on a lower setting). If you don't have either, try a hot water towel compress. The idea is to soften the adhesive on the tape.
Move the heat source back and forth to warm the adhesive. You don't want to get one area so hot that you scorch the vinyl or paint beneath. You should be able to gently peel up one corner and the rest will follow as you continue to warm the area.
If there's damage/degradation of the paint (doubtful), then you can always reapply another stripe. Otherwise, remove any residue with WD40 or a citrus based cleaner, then polish/wax.
Move the heat source back and forth to warm the adhesive. You don't want to get one area so hot that you scorch the vinyl or paint beneath. You should be able to gently peel up one corner and the rest will follow as you continue to warm the area.
If there's damage/degradation of the paint (doubtful), then you can always reapply another stripe. Otherwise, remove any residue with WD40 or a citrus based cleaner, then polish/wax.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Use a heat gun to soften up the decal and remove - buff and polish as necessary - 
Just be careful not to use too much heat and burn something
Thanks,Matt
Just be careful not to use too much heat and burn something
Thanks,Matt
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Instructor
Joined: May 2011
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From: Winnipeg Manitoba
An even easier removal method is to get a 'decal remover eraser' (google it). These attach to the end of your drill and off it comes. No scratching, no residue, just be patient and don't go too fast. Works great on window decals as well.
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If the rest of the paint looks good, I doubt that the paint under the decal will be yellowed, but only one way to find that out.