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what is a good method of removing that rubber adhesive behind vehicle name plates

gabagoo

New Member
I just removed Silverado off the side of a pick up and that thick black rubbery adhesive is left behind. I have tried the vinyl zapper, and although it sort of works it spreads the stuff around without actually removing it. Any other methods tried and true that work? I also removed the large Chevy logo off the back, and that was a fight, but left a rather large footprint you might say.
 

Zac

Mediocre Designer
I just removed Silverado off the side of a pick up and that thick black rubbery adhesive is left behind. I have tried the vinyl zapper, and although it sort of works it spreads the stuff around without actually removing it. Any other methods tried and true that work? I also removed the large Chevy logo off the back, and that was a fight, but left a rather large footprint you might say.

Use a little bit of heat from a heat gun next time and with a little practice you can pull the emblem off with the adhesive coming off with it.

But now, you can use a citrus based remover like 'Goo-Be-Gone' or equivalent from a local hardware store, or alcohol but it dries pretty quick on the thick stuff. Here we use the 'Rapid Remover' product but it's expensive. Let it sit for a few minutes and you may have to repeat as you scrape off different layers, or just let it sit for longer.

We use plastic scraper blades or lil chislers as a safe way to scrape against paint. Just make sure you have a remover product/alcohol to act as lubrication as to not scratch the paint.
 

ddarlak

Go Bills!
you can use a citrus based remover like 'Goo-Be-Gone' or equivalent from a local hardware store

this.

i did two silverado's last month, citrus remover and a gold 3M squeegee, spray it on, wait 40 second or more, scrap, after three of these you"ll be good to go
 

strypguy

New Member
Try soaking the adhesive in 3M or equivalent adhesive remover and cover with clear saran wrap/ plastic. After a few mins the adhesive should remove with a squeegee. John
 

gabagoo

New Member
Try soaking the adhesive in 3M or equivalent adhesive remover and cover with clear saran wrap/ plastic. After a few mins the adhesive should remove with a squeegee. John

I like this...gonna try that for the one on the back
 

TDFcustomSL

New Member
a 3m eraser wheel will take the double sided tape off with ease...just don't get it too hot or it'll take the paint off too. The part number is 7498. This one comes with the mandrel that you can put in your drill. Replacement wheels without the mandrel is 7499.
 

gabagoo

New Member
a 3m eraser wheel will take the double sided tape off with ease...just don't get it too hot or it'll take the paint off too. The part number is 7498. This one comes with the mandrel that you can put in your drill. Replacement wheels without the mandrel is 7499.

They don't really work that well...they sort of spread the adhesive around...I have the vinyl zapper that puts the 3M wheel to shame...used to use the 3m wheel
 

TDFcustomSL

New Member
They don't really work that well...they sort of spread the adhesive around...I have the vinyl zapper that puts the 3M wheel to shame...used to use the 3m wheel

Working in a body shop for almost 10 years, all I ever used was the 3m wheel and an astro pneumatic eraser wheel. Both worked great. If they are spreading the tape around you need to inscrease your speed/pressure.
 

klingsdesigns

New Member
Its weird the zapper works sometimes and other times it sucks. We use the fishing line to get the emblem off and then try the zapper. Even if you can work top to bottom to get all the crap to one line you can use a pre cleano or some kind of adhesive remover to get that part off. I usually get the crap to one line and then turn the zapper sideways and go after the line and then it usually removes all of it.
 

d fleming

Premium Subscriber
I have removed too many to count. Little chiseler or comparable tool and rapid remover. Spray rr at top of letters, wait a minute or so, do it again a few times pull off gradually while keeping fresh rr on leading edge. Little bit of cleanup and done. Sometimes some of the rubber is left, spray and scrape. Sometimes need some rubbing compound to remove ghosting.
 

d fleming

Premium Subscriber
Here's a good question, what in the world are the manufacturers thinking when they take up half the dang door with this crap? Don't they know the majority of white pickups are purchased by businesses who need to letter the doors?:banghead:
 

Ultimate13

New Member
This will be a fairly poor answer because I can't find the original source...

However, I saw somewhere on this forum or anywhere I guess, somebody use a freeze spray, like a freeze gum remover or freeze spray (look it up). It hardened and chipped right off with a plastic blade. Granted it was a video, and I haven't tried it but next time I do one I will be trying that method.

Sorry I don't have more info, I will keep looking.
 

Jester1167

Premium Subscriber
Heat the area around the emblem or letters prior to removal to minimize the amount of adhesive residue. Really old vehicle you just have to saw it off with fishing line or an emblem removal tool.Even on a brand new vehicle there will be some of the VHB foam and adhesive left. I find it works best to reheat the area and roll as much as you can off with your thumb. The newer the vehicle the less there is left to clean with an adhesive remover, zylene or acetone. Make sure you do a final clean with alcohol to remove any oily residue before installing vinyl.
 

decalman

New Member
I always have a gallon or two of rapid remover around.
It's the top notch snot remover.. If i'm dealing with a cheap paint job, then whip out some wd 40 spray. It doesn't harm the paint, ( they say) Then I take my razor tool and clean it off in seconds.
 
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