Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

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Exminiman
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Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Exminiman »

Hi Folks

Peeled off some vinyl sign writing, now left with a glue residue in some areas.

Trying to dissolve the glue to avoid endless scraping with a plastic scarper.....so far have tried:

* Thinners
* White spirit
* Methylated spirit
* ZEB sticky stuff glue remover (expensive and hopeless)

Hot air gun - makes it a bit easier to scrape off

Anyone got any ides please - there is a whole high roof, LWB Transit worth to get off :(
Last edited by Exminiman on Mon Nov 04, 2024 7:58 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Rubber Sprung »

Petrol ?
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Exminiman »

Thanks, not tried that, maybe the Ethanol will come in useful...
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Catmint »

You used to be able to get something called spirit wipe that sparyers used to clean panels, that was quite effective. Frosts do this, no idea how good it is

https://www.frost.co.uk/stripe-off-disc-with-shank/

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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by johnv »

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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Thorp »

All good suggestions above.

Acetone might be worth a try; will remove most things, but you may also remove some paint so to be used sparingly
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Joel Welsh 4769VU »

Spent some time as a sign installer/fabricator.
Old vinyl can be a bear!

90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
Goo gone.
There is a commercial grade adhesive remover for the industry- but it's $65 a gallon!

Acetone will work- but I'd only use after all the sticker vinyl is gone, and you're just fighting adhesive residue.

The rubber wheels are for peeling up the actual vinyl, and don't do much for removing old glue... they work great to heat and smear it though.... and scratch any trapped dirt into your paint.

They're a last resort for me.

Amazon has plastic- single edged razor blades just for this application.
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Exminiman »

Thanks for suggestions folks, will give them a go and hopefully get this tedious task out of the way :D
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by imack »

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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by TECH396 »

XYLENE Has been a great tool to remove contact adhesive, and safe on vinyl. It all depends on the chemical makeup of your adhesive but I recommend it. Available from most local hardware shops.
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Joel Welsh 4769VU »

And actually-

Kerosene!
It's messier- and smells, but it doesn't evaporate quickly like acetone and alcohol.
It will allow you time to let it eat into the glue residue, soften it... so you can scrape and displace it with the soft plastic blade.

More time wiping up a gooey mees with paper towels, and then de-greasing the panels to remove the kerosene... but, effective.
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Tim »

Citrus solvent? We use it a lot here for removing sticky labels etc. It's usually a combination of limonene and white spirit. It smells lovely and natural, like fresh oranges, but it's actually quite an agressive solvent and will make your skin burn.

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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by kit of bits »

I’ve always used petrol and lots of rags, test a small area first.
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by m1n1man1275 »

I used to use tar and glue remover made by concept chemicals as a Valeter back in the day, there was an orange citrus smelling version that was quite good too. id leave a rag soaked in it on the residue to soften it a bit before carefully scraping the now jellified glue residue off the paint with a plastic scraper blade. a warm day also helps.
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Re: Sign writing glue remover ideas ?

Post by Jack of all trades »

WD-40 works also well
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