Re: decal removal
Absolutely nothing works better than the tool that's designed to do the job. Go to your local automotive paint store and get a rubber decal/pinstripe eraser. Put it on a 3/8 electric drill and in just a few minutes all you'll have left of the decal is rubber eraser dust.
No, I'm not kidding.. I've tried everything in the book and this is hands down the easiest, fastest and cleanest.
By the way, nice last name, mines the Swiss German version.
I think I have a picture of it in my restoration thread.