Removing Vinyl Graphics
So pulling up in Maggie the day I bought it… my wifes first comment upon seeing it was “looks like an old man drives this!”. So with the cap gone, the graphics (strip and text) on the cab and body were the next thing to go. They weren’t completely objectionable, but with Maggie needing a paint job anyways, I figure I’d hurry the build along by getting those graphics off.
I started off with just a razor blade and ended up scraping the paint more then the vinyl. It was the first nice day of the year so I ran down to Harbor Freight Tools (a discount tool supplier that is dangerously close to my house) and after $9.99 + tax I had a heat gun.
It didn’t take me long to pick up the necessary technique. Following about 12-16″ ahead of myself with the heat gun being held about 3-4″ away from the body. Finger and thumb grabbing the vinyl strip and they’d come off quite easily. I still had my share of scratches left from having to use the razor blade after my “feed” of vinyl ripped. Knowing that I was going to re-paint it anyways I didn’t feel so bad.
I followed it up with a rub-down of “Opps” and then a dry car wash rub and it turned out not too shabby.