How to remove bike decals/stickers?

[Tigadee]

I really want to remove the tacky, cheap-looking stickers on my Yamaha Scorpio - mainly the ones on the tank, the rest I can live with.

Is there a safe way to do this? Thanks.

[ellipsis]

...try a hairdryer...

[wanpo]

yeah, heat gun to loosen it up, can use a razor blade to get under the corners sometimes then if you're lucky peel it up in one piece, use kero and rags to remove sticky residue.

[pete376403]

Eucalyptus oil (get it from a chemist) is really good for removing glue residue (also chewing gum from fabrics)

[LBD]

I really want to remove the tacky,

Regular sticker removal techniques may not work if they are particularly tacky....:facepalm:

[MSTRS]

FIRST - make sure that the decals are not under the clearcoat!!!
If not, then a hairdryer to heat and soften the adhesive, peel slowly and afterwards use a product that is made to remove tar (for instance) to remove any glue residue.

[rossirep]

hair dryer or heat gun, but not to much heat or you will blister the paint under the sticker ,as i just found out a few weeks ago,, its a fine line between not enough heat and to much.. lol

[nodrog]

80 grit sandpaper

[kiwifruit]

Scorpio tank decals are under a clear coat. The rest peal off easily.

[Swoop]

An angle grinder will get them off easily.

[Newbi]

De solve it, citrus oil based, its awesome for removing the tacky gunk left behind.:yes:

[Tigadee]

Scorpio tank decals are under a clear coat. The rest peal off easily.

:shutup:Oh... So much for that then. Does that mean only a panel beater can remove the stickers and have to repaint the tank?

I mean, if it was a carbon pattern I wouldn't mind, but chain mail? How strange a pattern is that to use for a sticker?
http://www.drivesouth.co.nz/files/slideshow/Yamaha_Scorpio_3.JPG

What, am I a knight and the Scorpio is my armoured steed? Ridiculous!:facepalm:

Thanks all for your responses, even the funny ones! LOL! I'm just hoping for a cleaner look for the Scorpio, like this:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6-0pue7zGw/TeIZR6-5cfI/AAAAAAAABsw/YAIi4FmZw5I/s640/Yamaha%2BScorpio3.jpg

[The Singing Chef]

:shutup:Oh... So much for that then. Does that mean only a panel beater can remove the stickers and have to repaint the tank?

I mean, if it was a carbon pattern I wouldn't mind, but chain mail? How strange a pattern is that to use for a sticker?
http://www.drivesouth.co.nz/files/slideshow/Yamaha_Scorpio_3.JPG

What, am I a knight and the Scorpio is my armoured steed? Ridiculous!:facepalm:

Thanks all for your responses, even the funny ones! LOL! I'm just hoping for a cleaner look for the Scorpio, like this:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6-0pue7zGw/TeIZR6-5cfI/AAAAAAAABsw/YAIi4FmZw5I/s640/Yamaha%2BScorpio3.jpg

Lighter and a can of Lynx.....seriously!!

[nathanwhite]

I mean, if it was a carbon pattern I wouldn't mind, but chain mail? How strange a pattern is that to use for a sticker?


It looks like carbon fibre from a distance. I was going to get rid of mine too, but last minute decided to keep it looking relatively stock as I don't want it too customized when I sell it.

That said, playing a hairdryer over it for a minute or so works fine.

[allycatz]

At least the blue looks better than red scorpios...mine looks like a tomato with racing stripes:blink:

[Tigadee]

:blink:Seriously?

I thought the red Scorps were pretty nice...

Nathan - I'll give it a try, thanks. If there is a clear coat, then the hairdryver won't do anything, right?

[nathanwhite]

craft knife around the edge of the decal first methinks would work. Course you would have to reapply the clear coat afterwards

[SPP]

scalpel, wd40, hairdryer, rubbing compound

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[Tigadee]

Thanks SPP. Why WD40 I wonder?

Nathanwhite - Hmmm, yes, that's true. And that means taking the bike to a panel beater?

[Mom]

Is there a safe way to do this? Thanks.

Have not read the thread, but your best bet is DeSolveIt. Honestly, I would not be without it in my house.

[nathanwhite]

You could always DIY it.
Just do the through research on google first.

[The Lone Rider]

:shutup:Oh... So much for that then. Does that mean only a panel beater can remove the stickers and have to repaint the tank?

If its a steel tank, and you decide you MUST have the sticker off (and therefore strip the paint), you can remove the paint and sticker with a paint removal disk.

They fit into an angle grinder, and take paint and stickers off while leaving clear steel. Wear overalls, gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask though. Preferably have ventilation to.

Save yourself a few $ by doing that. Then either paint it yourself or give it to someone to do it for you.

[Tigadee]

Wow, this is more than I bargained for... :facepalm:

:innocent:You know, those stickers don't look too bad, now that I look at them again....

[SPP]

...Why WD40 I wonder?

I haven't pulled clear coated decals so can't say whether it makes them easier to release or not.

[Conquiztador]

An angle grinder will get them off easily.

Too noisy. Petrol and a match works well!

[Tigadee]

Then I will really have the 'carbon' look! :dodge:

[Owl]

scalpel, wd40, hairdryer, rubbing compound

Amateur:facepalm:

It's about a 20 second job with the right tool.

[Coolz]

Spray it matt black.

[Tigadee]

Removing the stickers seems easy enough, that I can manage...

It's the concern that there will be no clear coat over the paint underneath, which means the paint could fade or oxidise faster. With applying clear coat, I'd need the tools and skills, neither of which I possess.

And do I apply clear coat over the naked paint or the whole tank?

[LBD]

You know, those stickers don't look too bad, now that I look at them again....

So they are not that Tacky after all...maybe the will come of easy:innocent:

[Tigadee]

Yeah, like how I wish I didn't hit the Jackpot for Lotto and darn, wouldn't you know it... LOL!

As Tui says... Heh! Heh!

[allycatz]

Do you think youll be riding it long enought to worry about? A few months and you'll probs be looking to upgrade even if its just a bigger 250

[MSTRS]

Removing the stickers seems easy enough, that I can manage...

It's the concern that there will be no clear coat over the paint underneath, which means the paint could fade or oxidise faster. With applying clear coat, I'd need the tools and skills, neither of which I possess.

And do I apply clear coat over the naked paint or the whole tank?

If there is clearcoat over the decals ...

Then best leave it alone.

Trying to do anything like removing those decals will just end in tears and/or expense. It's not worth it.

[Tigadee]

Do you think youll be riding it long enought to worry about? A few months and you'll probs be looking to upgrade even if its just a bigger 250

Blasphemy! :shit:

Heck, I think it'd probably even help the looks and thus re-sale value if the tank was naked, so no harm to try...

MSTRS - So I can't just remove the stickers and then slop on some wax/sealant on top of where they used to be?:blink:

[Tigadee]

This is how I envision the Scorpio without tank stickers:248467

[MSTRS]

MSTRS - So I can't just remove the stickers and then slop on some wax/sealant on top of where they used to be?:blink:

Nope.
If you do remove the decals, there will be a 'hole' in the clear coat. You cannot fill the hole. You will have to rub back the entire tank and, at the very least, re-clear it. Automotive paints and clearcoats are designed to be applied as a complete coat, and do not work if you simply patch spray. They will just peel off.

[skippa1]

Nope.
If you do remove the decals, there will be a 'hole' in the clear coat. You cannot fill the hole. You will have to rub back the entire tank and, at the very least, re-clear it. Automotive paints and clearcoats are designed to be applied as a complete coat, and do not work if you simply patch spray. They will just peel off.

+1 on all that. Its not a 5 minute job and will look like crap. Just leave it alone:blink:

[Tigadee]

OK guys, thanks.