Help, removing old registration decals???

[fire22driver]

I am trying to remove the old registration numbers from my new to me, nitro.  So far I have tried a heat gun and scraper, then acetone to get off the left over heavy stuff.  But I am worried about doing damage to the gel-coat.  It seems to work, but it is slow.   Is there a better way?? :-/

[senile1]

I've heard that the Stripe Off Wheel by 3M removes decals rather well but I've never used it.  I always heat them up with a blow dryer and use a dull putty knife to raise a corner and pull them off.  However, you still have to be very carefull when scraping them off so you don't scratch your gelcoat.  

[fire22driver]

These decals have a heavy metal flake to them.  The top clear plastic layer peals off easily, but then there is a gooey metal flake mess left behind.  I have used the 3-M pads before, but I think they will clog up before even taking off one decal.  

[Madhouse27]

My last decal removal turned into a two day affair. I used a heat gun to get the actual decal off. Then I used Goo Gone to get rid of the residue. I would put it on a side. Go put it on the other side. Come back to side one with a terry cloth towel and work on it for a bit. Repeat procedure until it's gone. I've also heard that using WD-40 helps break down the sticky residue but I didn't try it.

[Pintail55]

I used a heat gun to get the bulk of the sticker off, then a buffer set at a very fast speed. Just be careful with the buffer it will get the gelcoat very warm.

[Ben]

use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat it up and a putty knife to scrape it off, not one sharp enough to dig into the glass.  After getting the the plastic part off, use some MEK solvent to take the glue off.   Home Depot or Lowes should have a quart for just a couple of bucks.

[Cajun1977]

brake cleaner takes the glue off  try a test area first

[NBR]

Hair dryer, then I use one of those plastic gizmo's that are used to scrape left overs from teflon pans then clean with GooGone.

[Ben]

Brake cleaner, acetone, and a lot of other strong solvents are not good for the gel coat. MEK will not phase the fiberglass gel coat, you can even use it on you auto's painted surface to remove adhesives.

[MyKeyBe]

Madhouse27 is correct. WD-40 and also cooking oil work very well for removing left over sticker

adhesive although the WD seems to work better. Not real sure how good it will work on something with a heavy metal flake content though.

[Flatfish]

Make sure to wear rubber gloves when messing with MEK, it will absorb thru your skin and heads right for your liver. Nasty stuff, it melts plastic and especially styrofoam coffee cups. Guys at work would put a drop in your coffee and before you can move your hand the bottom of the cup was gone.

[Smib]

;)Go by walmart and get some Purple Power cleaner.  I've been using it on my truck and trailer tires and it is an awsome cleaner.  I used it just the other day to take off the registration backing left on the used Basscat that I bought.  The Purple Power made the sticking backing roll of easily.  Just spray it on-let if set for a few seconds and wipe it off.    

[bass5150]

I tried many things for this then had to use gas, quickly wipe with a wet rag, then use goo-gone for final cleanup.

[fire22driver]

tried WD-40 and MEK, the MEK defently did the trick, along with a heat gun (on low heat) and a putty knife..  Thanks for all the great ideas. 8-)