stripping decals

[Whealie]

Any tips for stripping the decals off the bodywork?
I've got some spare panels I want to try this on so I can think about respraying them. Is there a recommended solvent or is just a case of having to sand it down? If so, anyone got a sandblaster?

[Robster]

I've heard people say heating them up with a hairdryer sometimes works, and I'm sure someone said WD40 is good at dissolving glues...probably best to try those 2 methods separatley!

[Whealie]

hair drier gets the decals off but leaves the glue. WD40 does not seem to have much impact.

[Robster]

Angle Grinder then

[Muckybill]

Hairdryer or heat gun to get decals off. Then brake cleaner to remove the glue.
How do I know? Just done a plastic petrol tank on a XR250.
Worked a treat.

Bill

[Whealie]

brake cleaner? That would be new to me, even for cleaning brakes. I shall give it a try though.

[FatFergie]

petrol is ok. sanding is a waste of time, the glue just clogs the paper.

[Jenna]

hairdryer and cellulose thinners is what we use for vinyl stickers, if they're lacquered over then it’s a sand first job to break up the lacquer.

Oh and don’t use the thinners and hairdryer at the same time.. boom!

[DaveS]

I think you can hammer them out, but you might need quite a bit of filler afterwards.

When I had to do this heat didn't work very well, the blow torch did work a bit but it set fire to the paint as well.

[xrv_jim]

I think you can hammer them out, but you might need quite a bit of filler afterwards.

Or paper over them! They're selling woodchip, 59p a roll, at B&Q. :idea: