Best way to remove stickers?

[Than_Bogan]

I think am legally required to remove the NH registration numbers and registration sticker from my "new" boat, and I also might be interested in removing some decals from the windshield (at low priority).

 

I haven't personally done it before, but it seems like there must be a zillion people who have.

 

So I'd appreciate some advice on how to remove either or both. Thanks!

[Brewski]

@Than_Bogan Heat gun at low temp or hot hair dryer. Warm it up, pull it off. Residue comes off with WD-40 or if you like to poisen yourself use Xylene....just use gloves if you use this stuff.....

 

[Wolfeie]

Use a hair dryer to heat up sticker and soften the glue and it should pull off. The trick is to

not over heat the sticker. You can also use the old style razor blade to help take off the sticker.

[chris_logan]

I have always used a heat gun, razor blade to get it started, and tweezers so as to not burn myself with the hot stickers. I use Goof Off or Goo Gone to remove sticker residue.

[GOODESkier]

@brewski has it right on with low heat gun and WD-40 to remove residue. Another trick is to use the heated sticker after the fact to "blot" over the top of some of the sticky residue, it may help pull some more off before using the WD-40.

 

@Than_Bogan congrats on the new tractor!

[A_B]

Than, before you go through all that, check that he can't transfer the registration to you. In Ohio, the seller signs off on the back of the registration. No need to remove.

 

If you live in NH.

[Than_Bogan]

Thanks all!

 

@AB Nope. Live in MA. I actually need to both title it and re-register, because NH is a "non-title state" apparently. Live free or die, I guess!

[Than_Bogan]

Just to clarify: Same recipe to remove window decals?

[xrated]

Yes, low heat and lots of patience peeling it as the glue warms.

 

At least a case of beer on ice as well.

[estrom]

@Than_Bogan, yes, same for window stickers. If you know someone at a sign shop or anywhere that works with vinyl or decals, they may let you borrow a bottle of solvent that you just spray and wipe to get rid of residue.

 

[GOODESkier]

You'd spend more time driving to your buddies place to get the solivent than it would take to do it with WD-40........ Super easy.

[A_B]

I took off about 3 layers of stickers and they are a pita. They are designed to NOT peel up and leave residual so you can't transfer illegally. I hit the residual adhesive with Goo Gone and let it soak for a while and then rubbed off ok. I have used WD 40 as well on other things. I also use mineral spirits and denatured alcohol on gel cost without issue.

[swc5150]

Back in my sign industry days, I always used a hair dryer and 3M adhesive remover. Best combo I ever used for removing decals. It once again worked like a champ when removing decals and the ugly pink accent stripe from my '91 Prostar last summer.

[brody]

I did the heat gun with wd40, worked well for me, and agree not to over heat the sticker or it just breaks

 

[GAJ0004]

A hair dryer will heat up the adhesive to allow you to remove the decals. It always worked for me.

[Andy]

Goo Gone or nail polish remover will take the residue away too.

[ALPJr]

Definitely a blow dryer. A little citrus cleaner helps wipe any residue away. Took every decal and reg #'s off our boat the day I brought it home.

[Waternut]

Lots of votes for heat but I never liked it. You've probably already removed the decals but here is my vote... I prefer the eraser wheels with a cordless drill when you want to save the paint or gelcoat. Corded drills spin too fast. Should be able to pick them up at an auto parts store but they cost a little more. I pulled stickers, registration, and all decals off of a couple jetski's and my entire boat with the same wheel. Super easy, super fast, and no residue to deal with afterwards. I usually just use a razor blade on windows but the eraser wheel works wonders there too.

 

http://www.amazon.com/3M-7498-STRIPE-WHEEL-W-ARBOR/dp/B00063VT0G

[mopowpow]

I just did this to the stickers and pin striping our new boat. I used a blow dryer to soften the stickers, then a plastic putty knife or plastic razor blade to peel them up. I got some sticker-off to use on the leftover residue.

[eleeski]

Brake fluid is a strong solvent that I have used in the past on fiberglass (polyester based). Dissolved stickers but left behind the graphics and structure on some old factory skis. I bet @Than_Bogan is too conventional to go out of the box like that. He'll spend hours massaging a heat gun and microfiber towels. But his boat might look better than mine...

 

Eric

[XR6Hurricane]

Every year I have to remove the village inspection sticker for our local lake, the waterway agency stickers for the Fox River, the neighborhood mooring sticker, and every third year the registration. I don't own a hair dryer (single dude with a buzzcut). I just start them with a razor and use WD-40 for the residue.

 

In Illinois the registration stickers are made so the top layer comes off and a bottom layer remains with print all over it. Those are a real pain because the bottom layer hangs on to the death. I've had to use gas to get those off and then just wash and wax the hell out of the spot right afterward.

[Waternut]

Especially for those people who struggle with yearly registration stickers, the eraser wheel really is a cake walk. If you haven't seen it used before, here is the little one for use with a drill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHKN5_UfDik

 

And another one if you wanted to remove all of the graphics on an entire boat...