Tank protector removal?

[2Slow50]

I was after some advise on how to remove a tank protector from my tank.

I recently purchased a 89 FZR250.. It had a ugly/old tank protector on it, so I ripped it off. Its left a large sticky rubber patch on my tank which is about 1mm thick and not easily removed by hand.

Are there any suggestions on how to remove this without damaging the paint/tank?

If not, does anyone know a bodywork specialist in Wellington that maybe able to help?

Any advise is appreciated.

[crazybigal]

a little bit of heat, a hairdryer should work.
something to remove the glue like nail polish remover, test it first on the paint in a place were you cant see it.

[Ragingrob]

A solvent like nail polish remover may be able to get rid of it.... Not sure whether it will damaging though, as long as your paint job has a protective clear coat on top it would be fine I'd think... But check with the pro's first!

[2Slow50]

Thanks for the quick replies..

I might give the petrol a crack as I know this doesn't affect my paint.

[slydesigns]

nail polish remover is acetone... dont use it. It will discolour any plastic it hits. Use White Spirits (Kerolite, Pegasol, Zap wash etc) aka Lighter Fliud and or PrepSol. Warm it up with a heatgun ot dryer, soak a rag in solvent and flood the patch with it, then wait a minute. Wet it a second time, then attack it with your finger nail. Wipe with a rag. Repeat the wetting, nail scrap and rag wipe procedure until its all gone.

PrepSol or Wax and Grease remover can be bought from a piant supplier, repco or SuperCheap.
White spirits from some gas stations, like mobil (pegasol brand) and Caltex (kerolite)

[2Slow50]

Excellent!

Thats some very helpful advice.. thanks heaps.

I'll give it a try over the weekend and let you know how it goes.

[MotoGirl]

PrepSol or Wax and Grease remover can be bought from a piant supplier, repco or SuperCheap.
White spirits from some gas stations, like mobil (pegasol brand) and Caltex (kerolite)

I agree. We use Wax and Grease to remove any leftover glue (industrial quality) from customer's vehicles and it doesn't damage the paint. It doesn't help you now, but I would've used a heat gun on the tank protector as I removed it (I say this for future reference).

[vifferman]

You were quite right about using petrol - it won't harm your paint, and because it's a mixture of organic compunds (heptanes, xylene, toluene, etc.) it's a pretty good solvent for quite a range of adhesives. Also, you've got it on hand, so you don't need to buy anything!
Followup with meths to remove any oily residues.

[Jimmy B]

Timely new thread this one as I had a similar job on yesterday. In order to complete the X11’s full stealth transformation I needed to remove the “PGM FI Dual CBS” from the tail section. Here how I did it:

Consume about 7 beers then wander around the bike with no specific plan.

Identify offending decals and start picking nonchalantly at the corner of one until you’ve gone too far to leave it.

Remove the decals without the application of heat or any prior research.

Stand back and think to yourself “that’s not the look I’m after” how the F am I gonna get rid of that rock hard residue.

Examine inventory for suitable solvents and decide Mrs JB’s nail polish remover is just the ticket, after all it worked on the toaster.

Attack the offending area with nail polish remover and an old beach towel, stand back and admire the hazy mess you’ve just made featuring a dull flat patch with most of the adhesive residue still in tact. Repeat with Turps.

Question the validity of the strategy, wash bike quickly with detergent and go to bed.

Search “Decal” on KB and find excellent posts by Vifferman and Frosty. Procure a soft cloth and Turtle wax “nano” polishing compound.

Return home, think petrol but instead use Kero which was on hand.

Hand cut and polish flat spots with turtle wax and prepare to be amazed.

[MotoGirl]

...Hand cut and polish flat spots with turtle wax and prepare to be amazed.

Nice save!

[Jimmy B]

Nice save!

Thanks MotoGirl, it came out mint...eventually

I am by no means an expert in the ways of panel and paint but that Turtle Wax Nano really does come close to delivering the results claimed on the package. Equally impressive on Acrylic and Plastic. Good stuff.