Suggestions for Removing Side Moulding adhesive from body panels?

[CHC (RIP)]

I\'m nearing the end of revitalisation project and ready to replace the side mouldings which had either fallen off or were hanging off when I bought \'JAZ\'.
Trouble is there is still quite a lot of adhesive adhered to the body panels
I know there is a Decal removal tool available to buy but I was wondering whether anybody has any experience of removing the adhesive strips an easier way?
Cliff

[johnf]

Speaking from my experience with various glues and adhesives over the years from vinyl & double sided tape you need to find out what base the glue is.

Heat is always a good start and although you might reach for a hair dryer or heat gun, very hot water can be better as it retains the heat for longer.

If that doesn\'t work you need to start trying to find what \'base\' the glue is and what will attack it best without damaging the paintwork.

I\'d start with White spirit, leaving it to soak in for 15 mins.
If that doesn\'t soften it I\'d move onto Meths.
Following that Petrol
Last resort thinners but depending on your paint finish this could be disastrous.

One of the above should turn the glue into sticky jelly that you can rub off.

If you get it soft you need a stiff piece of plastic to use to try and get \'under\' the glue.
We use vinyl lettering applicators but they\'re not easily available, something a bit like a credit card only slightly stiffer.

Good luck

John
.

[Ian65]

as a last resort, try brake cleaner ( the most useful stuff you can have in your garage)
but as John says, be very carefull, it may damage your paintwork if you leave it on too long or let it run.

[JBerg]

vanilla wheel. Nothing else is worth bothering with.

[CHC (RIP)]

i know the vanilla wheel is the main goal but have heard of meths, white spirit, petrol and was even searching youtube last night and somebody was successfully using wd40 to remove stickers.
So I\'m going to try the fluids this afternoon and see what transpires.
Thanks guys and keep the suggestions coming.  Thanks.
Cliff

[David Nock (RIP)]

Kleeneze sell a \'Sticky Stuff Remover\'.

Nail Varnish remover?? acetone free.....Helpful tip courtesy of Mrs Nock.
(Boots have small pads of NV remover which we used on a car on holiday that had acquired some extraneous white paint in a car park....worked a treat without damaging the base paint. Warm the metal up 1st with a gentle heat gun).

[CHC (RIP)]

Well after all that I never got around to trying any of these - events took over and I spent the afternoon rebuilding my drivers door (just come back from spray shop).  Tomorrow I collecting a glass sunroof so it will have to be next weekend probably.  Keep up with the engineering solutions.
Thanks.  Cliff

[Marcrs]

Loctite 7070 cleaner, it\'s used as a cleaner for applying an adhesive - but breaks down everything I\'ve come across, with no fear of damaging paint

even breaks down black tack - like the stuff used on the door liner plastic

[CHC (RIP)]

Sounds like good stuff.
Been using WD40 & petrol tonight in small areas.

i) WD40 - apply directly whilst holding a cloth underneath to capture fluid and assist absorbtion then leave for 10-15 mins.  Needed to use a plastic spatular to ease outer layer off (the type rhat comes for applying Fine Filler prior to primer coating) them complete with dampened cloth and vigorous rubbing.  When removed polish with clean dry cloth.

ii) Petrol - apply as above but this softens the out layer making it sticky, thus tacky for removal.  When dryer the painted surface is still tacky so you end up cleaning this off the WD40.

In all between the two I would say the WD40 is better after trialing.

Think perhaps I\'ll trial the Loctite next and will update after next session.

[CHC (RIP)]

vanilla wheel. Nothing else is worth bothering with.

 
Bought a vanilla wheel & drill adaptor today to try this out .... OMG so quick and easy to use.  Left a little discolouration which I can live with cause I intend replacing the side mouldings anyhow.

A hint for anybody wanting to buy one of these, DO NOT buy from eBay.  There is a vanilla wheel (without adaptor) for sale today for £15 + £3 p+p but I checked up with my local supplier for trade car repairers and bought the wheel & adaptor for less than £9.

So agree "Vanilla wheel - as nothing else is worth botyhering with" in my book.

[JBerg]

Good to hear
 
Sorry to sound little harsh, it just gets the job done over everything else
 
The discolouration is because the paint under the mouldings is fresh compared to the rest of the car (not sun beaten). If you didn\'t replace them, a fine finishing compound and orbital will blend the differences together nicely.

[dmaprelude]

Sorry to sound dumb but whats a vanilla wheel?, did a google search and just got skateboard wheels lol

[syebba]

I was gonna ask too but did\'nt want to sound ignorant.
Is it something they use for ice cream?
ta stu..

[CHC (RIP)]

Wouldn\'t want to eat one of these!
Basically it\'s a rubber compound wheel with a screw fitting (hence adaptor needed) which is attached to electric drill and you buff off the decal / sticker / rubber / adhesive tape and it removes these without damaging the paintwork.
Easy - except when you come across a stubborn adhesive rubber strip which i did tonight so reverted to previous method.  The cool part of this method is you shouldn\'t have to go back to remove any latent adhesive which you would using petrol.
I\'ll take a photo tomorrow and post it.
Hope this satisfies the inquisitive minds out there.
Cliff

[CHC (RIP)]

Here we go guys, photograph of a Vanilla Wheel

:guinness