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Disclaimer: We are in NO way responsible for ANY damage caused by YOUR efforts to remove YOUR graphics from YOUR surface. Use common sense and be CAREFUL. If you have ANY doubts about YOUR ability to perform this task, DO NOT attempt it. These are offered ONLY as suggestions!
1. First wash the surface that you want to remove the old graphics from. This will avoid scratches caused by dirt being ground into the surface by your plastic tools.
2. Use a heat gun or halogen work light or some other heat source. Obtaining the correct temperature will be a trial and error procedure, if the vinyl is not warm enough- it will not soften the adhesive holding it to the panel and will tend to break. if it is too hot, the vinyl will stretch and pull apart. The happy medium will allow you to pull good-sized pieces of vinyl off in one piece.
3. When you have reached the perfect temperature, lift the edge of the graphic or letter with your finger-nail or a plastic scraper and pull it away from the panel. If the vinyl is at the right temperature and not too old or scratched or cracked and the fates are smiling on you, it will come off fairly easily. This is affected by many factors, not limited to: the type and brand of vinyl, how long it has been on, sun exposure and karma.
4a. When you have picked off all the vinyl you are ready to remove the adhesive that may remain. You will need an adhesive remover for this step. There are several adhesive removers on the market- of which Goo-Gone is one, and readily available at most grocery, hardware and DIY stores. READ and FOLLOW the instructions! Always TEST anything that you plan to put on your surface in an out of the way spot to make sure it will not damage the surface. Also do not leave it on the surface for too long. Then wash it off with whatever is recommended in the instructions. Do not let it run down the surface- it may cause discoloration!
4b. OK- you are now ready for the adhesive removal….. Spray the adhesive with the adhesive REMOVER. You will immediately notice that it does not remove it- so far so good! After a couple minutes it will turn into something like baby snot- only VERY sticky. Use a plastic tool to scrape as much adhesive/snot off as you can onto a paper towel. This is repeated as many times as necessary. Toward the end of this procedure the adhesive/snot will just be smearing about and may be wiped off with paper towels dampened with the remover, alternated with dry towels.
5. The last step is to wash the surface with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to remove the last bit of adhesive.
Congratulations! You are now a highly paid vinyl graphic removal technician!
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