I agree that a hair dryer would be the best solution although it may not be quite hot enough to actually lift the decal so something hotter would probably be required such as an electric heat gun shown in the link if the hair dryer fails to work. If you do use a heat gun though you need to apply with caution and heat a bit at a time so you don't scorch the original paintwork.
I took the decals off our old 1996 Bailey and replaced them with fresh ones before we sold it last year.
The caravan was a 1996 model and the decals had become so brittle due to the UV and weather exosure that when I started to heat them with the hairdryer and peel them off, they just crumbled to dust and the glue stayed stuck to the caravan. I then had to use tar remover and white spirit to get the glue off, which dried out the painted aluminium, so I ended up having to polish the van too to restore the gloss. Aggghhh. I wished I hadn't started the job at all
I made sure the replacement decals were 7-year exterior grade vinyl and were laser printed with UV resistant ink too.... I didn't want them fading after 12 months!
How badly do you want to change the decals? Is it going to be worth all the effort?
------------- 2015 - our 1st year of caravanning with a new baby. Can't wait! :)
I wouldn't recommend a hot air gun at all, they're far too fierce even on low heat plus the heat output is generally concentrated on a narrow area too.
A domestic hair dryer will be suitable as in principle you only need to soften the decal, then carefully peel it off the bodywork doubled back against the van instead of just pulling towards you at right angles. This allows them to peel of easily. Some white spirits or 'sticky-stuff-remover' if you can find any (even WD40 at a push) does the job of removing any remaining residue, then a good wash over the area to prep for new decals.
I've done this recently, although I'm not replacing the front roof height decals on my van as it's simply not worth the bother; removed 'em only.
Yes I totally agree Paul that a domestic hair dryer is the best solution but I did say to use a heat gun as a secondary device only and to proceed with extreme caution. I'm not speaking from experience as the only decal I have ever had to remove is the diamond shape LPG sticker on the front locker which is only small in comparison to the large ones you find on the side. However, I managed to use WD40 which even only a small area did take some time removing and then applied white spirit to remove the rest of the tacky adhesive.
I have to agree a hot air gun is a last resort the problem is it could produce enough heat to cause a fire or some form of burning behind the aluminium body through heat transfer this is solely dependent on what lies behind but is it worth the risk.
I have remover vinyl graphics from vehicle previously and used a hair dryer with one of those nozzles they come with to direct the air flow, The trick is to heat up a small area and get a star and peel a small amount off then play the heat right on the glue between the vinal and the body and try and get as much off in one piece watch out for the angle you pull the vinyl away at 45 degree worked for me. Cleaning off the rest of the glue from the panel can be done with as said white spirit but if you go to a motor factor and by some panel wipe as used by spray painters this shall work much better and quicker.
Last word you may find where the graphics have been removed the paint is as new and sticks out against the rest of the van which will have some paint fade by now.
Quote: Originally posted by sja1951 on 20/4/2013
I have always found these easily removed ... using hot water!!
Boil a kettle and pour it over a section, then simply peel the soft section off...
Yep, agree that boiling water is effective providing the decal hasn't gone brittle, which most can do over time.
Once gone to this stage of deterioration, boiler water doesn't seem to do the job.
sja1951 has it, boiling water to soften the decal, then peel it off and then wipe with tar/glue remover to clean the panel. Then wash the panel to get rid of the tar/glue remover, I have used it when taking decals from commercial vehicles and it's the best way that I have ever found.
Fitting new decal, spray the area with soapy water, fit the decal so that it floats around and then hold it in place and stroke out from the centre to the edge with a straight edged soft plastic, a credit card will do it but the rubber edged tool they use for tile grouting is best. No air bubbles !!
Oh, and don't forget to have very clean hands as the glue on the new decal will take any oil etc from your fingers and leave perfect prints on any clear bits of the decal.
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Topic: Removing old decals from caravan
