BJ74 decal removal

[Jimmy B]

Happy New Years everyone,hope everyone had a good one.
This might be a lame topic,but I am going attempt to remove the large decal (Full length of the truck and in some places 1 foot wide )on the side of my BJ74 in the next week or so and was wondering if anyone had any recommendation for a product or tools that would make the job easier.I am trying to avoid the heat gun and putty knife due to the damage to the paint that can be done,these decals are alot thinner then others I have seen and unfortunately due to the years in the elements it is starting to peel and is splitting everywhere.
Would there be a spray on product or some sort of buffing wheels that can remove these stickers?
Thanks James...

 

[DieselROCKS]

I hear ya, some of those jap decals are FUGLY!!

I found a little thing that fits to the drill to take off pin-striping. Its like a pencil eraser. Worked really well and quick. Perhaps somebody makes something bigger.

Good luck
Geoff

 

[Stone]

As long as you don't apply too much heat with the heat gun, it should be fine. I've done that plenty of times...usually didn't need the putty knife by just being careful. The only thing is, if your paint is in good condition, it should be okay...but if your paint has faded (likely possible for a 16 YO vehicle), then you might see a shadow of the pin striping when you remove it due to the darker paint under the decals. Just a thought.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I used a solvent that is used to remove grease and gum before spraying on another car I had.
It will soften the adhesive that holds the decal so you can rip it off.

Of course there is a catch,if you leave it on too long it will damage the paint.
Parts where I didnt leave it on long enough do not seem to come off with a 2nd application.
The sun damaged decals are near impossible to remove with out some damage.

 

[Landpimp]

no matter what method you use its gonna be alot of work.

I would use a combo of 3M adhasive remover, a decal eraser(goes on a drill or die grinder) a heat gun(won't hurt anything), alot of thumb action and ALOT of patience. I did my 60 which had alot of dealer installed pin stripping on it.

If the decal is one piece, I would try to get one corner started with the heatgun, then start to peal it keeping the heat right infront(or under) of where you are pealing.......and "hopefully" you can get a big piece off in one shot, instead of lots of little pieces.

and when you done there is a very good chance the paint under the decals will be different then the rest of the exposed paint, so be prepared for the reverse of the decal lightly showing.

 

[2rivers]

Hi,

I went to out local autobody shop and they sold me a rubber wheel that fits in your drill (as above mentioned). Cost $25. It was about 4 inches in diam and smelled like vanilla. Very tacky compound remove the decals like a charm. Keep your revs low on the drill, take your time and the paint should be fine - I alos removed 15yr+ decals and there is a paint fade barley noticable - but maybe with cutpolish afterwards you'd might be OK?

Good LUck,

Johnny

 

[Jimmy B]

Thanks everyone for the tips,I will try the parts stores again and see if they have a different rubber wheel,bought one yesterday but it is hard as a rock and just seemed to move the decal around,might have been old stock or the wrong product.Tried again with the heat gun but this decal is so old it comes off in little 1/4" bits similar to a licence plate tag,one front fender took over two hours and this is the narrowest section,1-2 inches.The temps are fairly cold here also,around 0c,so might be a bad time for removing the decal.
Thanks James......