Vinyl Stripe Removal

[sirgounder]

I bought my Mustang used and it came with vinyl stripes. The previous owner must have gotten bad stripes because they are cracked and stained. I tried removing them with a blow dryer and some goo gone but it didn't work. The stripe came off in little pieces. Any ideas on how I can get this stuff off. I know there are threads about removing adhesive but I need to removed the vinyl first.

[StephenK]

if it is coming off in little pieces you have ALOT of work ahead of you. but basically get them off same way you would the adhesive. i say that cause if you loosen the adhesive under it then the vinly strips will come off as well. i just suggested to someone else that wanted to remove the left over adhesive from stickers he removed to try either 3M adhesive remover or amonnia.

[tonym]

I use an eraser. Works great. It fits into my drill and makes quick work of vinyl stripes. I get mine from my detail supplier. Here's some they have on eBay:
eBay Express: eraser, Automotive Tools and Car & Truck Parts & Accessories items for sale (http://search.express.ebay.com/items/Vehicle-Parts-Accessories___eraser_W0QQ_nkwZeraserQQ_fxdZ1)

[StephenK]

I use an eraser. Works great. It fits into my drill and makes quick work of vinyl stripes. I get mine from my detail supplier. Here's some they have on eBay:
eBay Express: eraser, Automotive Tools and Car & Truck Parts & Accessories items for sale (http://search.express.ebay.com/items/Vehicle-Parts-Accessories___eraser_W0QQ_nkwZeraserQQ_fxdZ1)


good call. i forgot all about eraser's. those will get the strips off fast

[sirgounder]

Will the eraser pad hurt the paint at all? Do I just attach it to me drill, put it flat on the vinyl and go?

[tonym]

I've been using an eraser for a couple of years and I've never had any problem harming the paint. They warn you not to use it on lacquer or acrylic lacquer paints. You might need to buy an adapter to fit your drill. They are very inexpensive (a few dollars) The wheel screws onto the adapter, then it fits right in the drill.

Just put the edge of the wheel on the stripe and go right to left. It removes the stripe and the adhesive. The wheel wears down as you work and leaves a lot of eraser crap on the car that you can just blow off or brush off. After that just wipe it down with prep-solv and polish as usual.

[sirgounder]

Wow, I've been trying to figure out how to get my stripes off for the past year. Shops wanted $500 to do it and nothing I tried worked.

Is there a particular brand that I should look for? I've seen the ones made by Astro and I've also seen these:
1723 - 4" Eraser Wheel - DF-705 (http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/p-14354-1723-4-eraser-wheel-df-705.aspx?cid=SH)

How many erasers should I order?

[tonym]

That Astro brand will be fine. I've never seen one like the type in your link. It looks pretty cool though. It's part of a pneumatic system. The Astro will fit into your drill.

You'll only need one eraser.

Tony

[Jimmie]

There have been threads that suggest heat and dental floss under the stripe, but I have no experience with it.

[cegcsg2]

I don't have any experience with this but I have come across one that is made by 3m.

Grainger Industrial Supply: Adhesive/Stripe Removal Disc 2EXZ9 (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2EXZ9)

[ATL G35 6MT]

There have been threads that suggest heat and dental floss under the stripe, but I have no experience with it.

I'm sure heat would help but with this sort of striping but I'm not sure how well fishing line or dental floss would work. Fishing line tends not to break apart as easily as floss and is a better choice IMO. Using a hair dryer or heat gun will help to loosen up the adhesive.

This is one job you want to be patient on and get it right.

[killrflake]

I don't have any experience with this but I have come across one that is made by 3m.

Grainger Industrial Supply: Adhesive/Stripe Removal Disc 2EXZ9 (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2EXZ9)
I have used this product several years ago and found it worked quite well.