Removing Decals...

[gge5]

I've done a lot of work on my X-Treme XM-3500li electric maxi-scooter. I added cells, replaced the dashboard with a digital version, and changed out the controller and motor. It's essentially a brand new bike. At this point I would like to start doing conversions for other people, and I don't want X-Treme's name on my bike anymore.

Looking closely, the bike is simply painted black, and the X-Treme logos are decals (I can see the edges). Can anyone more knowledgeable than me say if decals are commonly protected by a top coat? I'm thinking about using a heat gun to see if they'll just peel away, but I don't want to mar, warp, or bubble the paint underneath.

Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on how to remove the decals?

 

[oldpiper]

Use vegetable (cooking) oil, liberally applied from a washcloth, then after you get the decal and most of the glue off, use window cleaner (Windex, etc.) to finish.

Cameron

 

[gge5]

Use vegetable (cooking) oil, liberally applied from a washcloth, then after you get the decal and most of the glue off, use window cleaner (Windex, etc.) to finish.

Cameron

Is that without using heat?

 

[oldpiper]

Nope, no heat. Probably shouldn't take but a few minutes, you just have to get that decal really wet with the cooking oil.

Cameron

 

[number1cruncher]

+1 on the oil - Excellent advice!

 

[gge5]

I successfully removed the decals. I tried the oil, but it didn't seem to penetrate. I ended up using a hairdryer on low to gently heat the decals. The first one I heated the entire thing, and it came off in a gooey mess that left sticky residue behind. The remaining three decals I heated just a corner until I could get a fingernail under it, and then I promptly removed the heat. It peeled off cleanly that way.

It appears the bike was painted, had the decals applied, and then hit with a clearcoat layer. It didn't prevent me from removing the decals, but there is a small ridge around where the decals used to be. It's not noticeable unless you run your finger over it, so I'm probably not going to worry about it. It looks way better regardless.

 

[oldpiper]

I successfully removed the decals. I tried the oil, but it didn't seem to penetrate.

It appears the bike was painted, had the decals applied, and then hit with a clearcoat layer. It didn't prevent me from removing the decals, but there is a small ridge around where the decals used to be. It's not noticeable unless you run your finger over it, so I'm probably not going to worry about it. It looks way better regardless.

OK, they cheated, but I'm not surprised. I guess I would have done the same thing to keep my brand from being so easily removed, it seems to be a quite common practice on things like helmets, etc. (I saw a nice black Razor helmet this Fall, but getting the Razor decals off of it were going to be a royal pain, likewise some other plain-colored helmets with garish cartooney decals that just spoiled them for anyone over 13 yrs old.) Glad you were able to get it off without spoiling the original finish.

Cameron