my vinyl zapper seems to be leaving a yellow residue

[gabagoo]

I am using the vinyl zapper on a chevy express that I lettered up 4 years ago and I am seeing a yellow residue after i finish getting off the vinyl. I ran some methyl hydrate over it and it doesn't seem to come off. It is a very faint yellow but there none the less. Could it be coming off the zapper rubber wheel? I cant continue until I figure out how to get it off!!!

 

[letterman7]

I've had that happen when I let the wheel sit too long in one spot or pressing too hard. If the surface is smooth where the yellowing is - that is, no surface debris - try a little acetone first. If that won't take some of it off, you'll have to step up to compounding. What happened is the paint cooked... usually just the clearcoat, though. Sometimes you can get it out, sometimes you can't. Good luck!

 

[gabagoo]

I have been using the zapper for many years and i know not to keep it in one place to long, but this is rediculous. I have seen it before but I am pretty sure I got it out with some elbow grease...

 

[thinksigns]

In my experience, after a day in the sun, it goes away.

 

[gabagoo]

In my experience, after a day in the sun, it goes away.

as much as I want to believe that, i cant take a chance....plug in the steamer!!! sigh

 

[Gino]

We've gotten that once or twice and I too, believe it's staying in one area too long and the paint is kinda burned. Also, I would imagine if it's a re-paint it could do it a little quicker. From what I remember, we just cleaned it pretty good with alcohol an I don't remember seeing any signs of it later.

Good luck.................

 

[TammieH]

Try buffing with a fine compound.

 

[signage]

Try buffing with a fine compound.

and the correct answer!

 

[Letterbox Mike]

Lacquer thinner takes that off well, we get that yellow almost every time we use the Zapper, we always wipe with lacquer thinner and it disappears.

 

[SignosaurusRex]

and the correct answer!

How about working the wheel quicker with less time in one spot and take a bit more time with less pressure. No buffing or compound needed after that.
Wheel speed has lots to do with it as well. I'm not as familiar with the (electric) zapper, but the RPM of pneumatic (air) version can be controlled at the trigger.

 

[Sign Up Graphics]

Sign Up Graphics

 

[mark in tx]

Rapid Remover, mainly comes down to easing off with the wheel a bit.

 

[gabagoo]

So are we saying the yellow residue is from the wheel itself, or is it the paint discolouring? I try some rapid remover, but have acetone on my Home Depot pick up list.

 

[Letterbox Mike]

So are we saying the yellow residue is from the wheel itself, or is it the paint discolouring? I try some rapid remover, but have acetone on my Home Depot pick up list.

In our experience it's residue from the wheel itself, not the paint discoloring. If it's the paint discoloring it would have more of a brownish tint to it and would look burnt. When the wheel leaves residue it looks more like a yellowish film on the surface.

 

[Gino]

insig.....

You very well could be correct. When we did a lot of painting... years ago, there was a term in the trade, called burning or burnt. It happened generally to your lighter colors more than others, simply as the color paint got darker, it was just harder to see.

Certain clearcoats would burn the paint. It never looked like it was burnt from friction or fire, so it never looked darker, but had a yellow or deep yellow appearance. Also, burnishing could cause this on lighter color vehicles.

Paints and methods are much different today, but we still use the term burnt to indicate this kind of problem. Ever hear the saying, it's yellowing over time ?? Same kinda idea. It's burnt.

 

[gabagoo]

Rapid remover no work....Could not find acetone at Lowes so picked up some laquer thinner...... I know to be very careful with that stuff...

 

[the graphics co]

Burning the paint refers to rubbing/buffing the clearcoat off of the basecoat of paint and in extreme burning situation rubbing/buffing the basecoat off of the primer or metal. It is difficult to see light burns in the clearcoat if you don't know what you are looking for. Using the vinyl zapper is a quick way to damage a paint job, especially on older vehicles which may have weakened or thinned out clear coat already. As a few people have said, the yellow from the wheel should wipe off with some lacquer thinner. Be careful not to spend too much time in one area with the zapper as it creates a lot of heat and friction even at low revs. If a particular area is being a pain let it cool and come back to it later, don't continue to grind on the paint to remove a quarter inch of reflective.

 

[d fleming]

Don't think I would use solvent on vehicle paint. Fine rubbing compound. I've done quite a few removals lately on some fleet vehicles being re-lettered and rubbing compound has been perfect to bring back the clear with no damage prior to new graphics and striping being put on. Just my two cents.