decal removal ?

2cycle

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
234
Hello, I'm going restore the cowling and face plate on my 75 Merc 1500 and was wondering what is the most effective way to remove the old decals? Someone suggested to me using a hair dryer, heating and then scraping with a razor blade. Will paint thinner or any other solvent expedite the process or not? Anyone with experience doing this?

Thanks for the replies!
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: decal removal ?

Heat is the key, 2stroke. A hair dryer gets it hot enough without risk of burning it.

I prefer a plastic scraper over the razor blade because it won't dig in to the paint under the decal.
 

2cycle

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
234
Re: decal removal ?

Thanks JB - I'll acquaint myself with a hair dryer as I don't own/need one otherwised:)
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: decal removal ?

Ditto on the plastic scraper. Least likely to mar the underlying surface. Sometimes you can lift an edge and pull it while continuing to apply the heat, then clean up the remaining adhesive with an appropriate solvent.
 
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