Signgeer - Super Tools for Sign Heroes - Edition 22 - Catalog - Page 226
TECHNIQUE
HEAT
.
PEEL
Heat the vinyl according to vinyl manufacturers specifications (if you have that
information) generally 65°C and up. The gentle heat applied using either a hot air
gun or infrared panel heater will soften the vinyl face, reducing the chance of it
being brittle and encouraging it to come off in one piece - whilst also loosening
the adhesive. During this stage care should be taken not to overheat, damage and
bubble the paintwork, panel or trims on a vehicle.
Once warm you can easily lift a corner using one of the specially designed plastic
scrapers.
Using a plastic scraper, peel a corner or edge of the material and slowly pull at a
45° angle. Keep your pulling pressure, angle and speed consistent while you’re
peeling off the vinyl. This ensures that the vinyl doesn’t tear or break apart. Avoid
tugging the vinyl otherwise this will encourage any laminate to pull up leaving the
base vinyl behind, which can be difficult to remove; taking extra care around any
deeply contoured areas of the vehicle.
Once the vinyl has been removed you may find there is some residual glue on the
panel. Soak the residue with glue remover for a short period and gently scrape the
panel using a plastic scraper.
Primer isn’t needed to properly install a vinyl wrap but some companies use it to
speed up the process. If a primer has been used, you’ll have a harder time
removing the adhesive left behind. Polish out any panels with signs of ghosting.
Remember - investment in a decal removal kit can be a matter of pence or a few
hundred pounds but could save you hours.
REPEAT
Not budging very easily? - You may also need:
Panel Heater - (if the opportunity arises park it in the sun for an hour to warm the panel) this
will allow the adhesive to soften and allow the vinyl face to be more pliable resulting in less
residue. Alternatively, use an infrared panel heater instead.
Power Tools and Vinyl Erasure Wheels – Expect to remove 3.25-4.65 sqm (35-50 sqft) per
hour with this tool. The Vinyl Zapper removes the vinyl and adhesive residue in one hit. The
patented design wheels have rubber or silicone teeth designed to grip and pull the vinyl away
from the substrate, unlike other solid wheels on the market which ‘sand’ the surface, creating
heat and carrying a higher risk of damage to the substrate. The revolutionary
Ultimate Vinyl Zapper with its silicone erasure wheels further reduces the amount of waste
deposits, is cordless, and its wheels last up to 8x longer than the original Vinyl Zapper.
We would recommend:
The WipeOut Erasure wheels which fit onto an existing power drill, although not as powerful
as the Vinyl Zapper, can be useful for small lettering removal.
Vinyl Off & Reflective Vinyl Off - Vinyl Off is engineered to remove the vinyl and adhesive in
one hit. It works by penetrating the face of the vinyl, softening the adhesive and allowing you
to pull off the entire graphic in one hit. Biodegradable, non flammable and environmentally
safe. Wipe a thin layer on the vinyl, heat, leave for 5-15 minutes and peel off the vinyl and
adhesive in one strip.
Steamer – A traditional DIY wall steamer is adequate for general vinyl removal. Again, it
works by heating the adhesive and making the vinyl more pliable to remove.
Window film - Will either come off easily or you may need to use a specialised removal fluid
such as ATR Solution.
Ghost Off - A biodegradeable commercial strength solvent polish that restores weathered
surfaces and reduces ghosting.
Small letters/areas of vinyl
Traditional method of heat and
peel, vinyl erasure wheels
Large letters/areas of vinyl
Traditional methods of heat
and peel, steamer
Difficult to peel vinyl
Vinyl Off, Reflective Off
professional grade vinyl wrap
removal solvents that can
safely and more effectively
speed up the process
