sfr table hockey
New Member
Just a note to say if you have never tried a steamer to remove vinyl off of backlit (lexan or acrylic) I would say you will be amazed.
I have a 36” by 20 foot of lexan to remove lettering. I started with a spray (vinyl remover 4 oz for $8) and it did not help a bit. The vinyl was so brittle that it flaked into small chunks no matter how slow you pulled or how you pulled. It took about 10 min to remove one letter and then there was still residue.
I borrowed a steamer from a clothing store to try and it took a whole 5 seconds to say wow……..
The vinyl peeled off in one piece and with it 95% of the residue. It took about 5 seconds to hold over an edge before I lifted a corner with a blade and it peeled like nothing and from there staying slightly ahead with the steamer, you just peeled the rest easily. Caution as the steam is very hot and its easy so be careless but I did it without gloves and no problems.
The rest of the 36” by 10 foot section was done in less than 15 min. (10 might be more accurate) and almost no residue to remove. The vinyl goes back to its brittle state about 2 seconds after it hits the floor but the steamer does an incredible job.
I can’t see why this would not be safe on vehicles but others may know better but there is no need to use any kind of blade once you get an edge started. Also not sure if reflective vinyl would be as easy but that would be a good test.
By far this could be one of the best investments for removing vinyl.
The only issue I had was that the steamer head had to be raised a foot or so higher than the level of the tank so the condensation in the hose did not block the steam. Doing it on a table should be fine but I did mine with the lexan leaned against a wall and just flipped the sheet to do the lower section.
I have a 36” by 20 foot of lexan to remove lettering. I started with a spray (vinyl remover 4 oz for $8) and it did not help a bit. The vinyl was so brittle that it flaked into small chunks no matter how slow you pulled or how you pulled. It took about 10 min to remove one letter and then there was still residue.
I borrowed a steamer from a clothing store to try and it took a whole 5 seconds to say wow……..
The vinyl peeled off in one piece and with it 95% of the residue. It took about 5 seconds to hold over an edge before I lifted a corner with a blade and it peeled like nothing and from there staying slightly ahead with the steamer, you just peeled the rest easily. Caution as the steam is very hot and its easy so be careless but I did it without gloves and no problems.
The rest of the 36” by 10 foot section was done in less than 15 min. (10 might be more accurate) and almost no residue to remove. The vinyl goes back to its brittle state about 2 seconds after it hits the floor but the steamer does an incredible job.
I can’t see why this would not be safe on vehicles but others may know better but there is no need to use any kind of blade once you get an edge started. Also not sure if reflective vinyl would be as easy but that would be a good test.
By far this could be one of the best investments for removing vinyl.
The only issue I had was that the steamer head had to be raised a foot or so higher than the level of the tank so the condensation in the hose did not block the steam. Doing it on a table should be fine but I did mine with the lexan leaned against a wall and just flipped the sheet to do the lower section.
