gmichaelz Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Fellow ToyHome Owners: I need to remove all the old graphics / stripes from my recently purchased 1987 Gulfstream Conquest ToyHome's doors to repair rust spots caused by loose mirror brackets. I plan on using a hot gun blower to soften the tape then I will use plastic scrapers to remove the stripes. I will not be able to ever match this tape due to age, so of course I will also remove all other tape from this cab. And then after repairing and repainting doors and cab, I'll probably have to strip the tape off of the entire fiber glass body. Just like remodeling a room in my home, where does it stop? My first question: Is there some chemical preparation which I should use as a pre soak to loosen contact? Chemical or mechanical process which I should do prior to using the hot gun? Or is there a better way without using the hot gun? Which chemical solvent will remove residual glue after old, weather cracked tape is removed? My second question: After removing all old graphics tape, should I choose not to paint a theme: Where might I find a nice selection of durable graphics tape? Appreciate any and all comments, just brainstorming here. Thanks, Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmichaelz Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) Update: This Toyota MotorHome Site is a terrific place for this "Odd Job Man" as I'm becoming in my retirement. In reviewing your past forum files I believe that I may have found some suitable alternatives in removing my old graphics / decals. One method is physical in using a rubber eraser pad manufactored by "Astro" mounted on a variable speed electric drill or a pneumatic grinder, which member "pdqmovie" supplied on 01/31/09 http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=886" target="_blank">http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.ph...post&id=886</a> http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=892" target="_blank">http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.ph...post&id=892</a> The other being a chemical manufactured by 3M which can be purchased at Carquest or NAPA Parts Store for removing woodgrain, information supplied 01/01/09 by member "wistoy" on vinyl off, Siding Forum Does anyone else have experience with these old, faded, cracked decals / stripes? Thanks, Michael Edited August 20, 2009 by gmichaelz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futar Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Be prepared for the paint under the tape to be nice and new and un-oxidized. I buffed the area to get it to blend in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmichaelz Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 Thanks Futar: Not too much of an issue on the cab since the doors each have three large rust spots from the loosened mirror brackets, also passenger fender has rust spot from loose radio antenna mount, top of Drivers fender has rust spot from stone chip. All points are surface rust only. But need to repaint lower portion of cab to correct or apply random pattern of _______ onto repaired areas. As to the MH Coach fiberglass corrugated portion, if I live with it long enough it should equalize. Kidding, thanks for the advise, Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmichaelz Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 I found another good outside source from "RV RESTRIPE CENTRAL" to remove vinyl striping and graphics. I've included the links here for the members of this site whom may also need to work on their stripes. Removal: http://www.rvsg.com/restripe-removal.asp" target="_blank">http://www.rvsg.com/restripe-removal.asp</a> Surface Preparation after removal: http://www.rvsg.com/restripe-surfacePreps.asp" target="_blank">http://www.rvsg.com/restripe-surfacePreps.asp</a> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmichaelz Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 I have removed all of the weather checked stripes from the front fenders and the mid section of the doors using a combination of ATF for Pre Soak, Hot Gun and Plastic Scraper for removal of stripes, WD40 and Graffiti Removal Solvent for adhesive removal. Removing the glue takes a lot of elbow grease and rags. The chemicals soften the glue, mechanical buffing with rags actually removes it. So removing the remaining balance of stripes on the coach is not going to be accomplished this year or maybe ever on this old 87. Has anyone painted over these old stripes with a textured paint on the fiberglass portion of the coach? Possibly using a bed liner paint, or chip guard paint for the base coat? Then a second coat of paint for the actual color scheme? My stripes have been exposed to too much direct sunlight with no protection for too many years. There is not going to be any easy removal solution on this ToyHome, other than pay someone to do the work. The stripes on my old 87 coach are very similar to this pictured Gulfstream Conquest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 So removing the remaining balance of stripes on the coach is not going to be accomplished this year or maybe ever on this old 87. Has anyone painted over these old stripes with a textured paint on the fiberglass portion of the coach? Possibly using a bed liner paint, or chip guard paint for the base coat? Then a second coat of paint for the actual color scheme?My stripes have been exposed to too much direct sunlight with no protection for too many years. There is not going to be any easy removal solution on this ToyHome, other than pay someone to do the work. The stripes on my old 87 coach are very similar to this pictured Gulfstream Conquest. I removed the stripes on the front of the diesel before painting the cab. I used Vinyl-Off. Spray it on, wait a minute and the stripes and glue come right off (well 2 of the 3 stripes did anyway). The 3rd stripe required a Astro smart eraser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmichaelz Posted August 6, 2009 Author Share Posted August 6, 2009 <!--quoteo(post=10750:date=Aug 5 2009, 08:17 PM:name=turtle)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (turtle @ Aug 5 2009, 08:17 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=10750"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I used Vinyl-Off Spray it on, wait a minute and the stripes and glue come right off (well 2 of the 3 stripes did anyway). The 3rd stripe required a <a href="http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap400e.html" target="_blank">Astro smart eraser</a>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Thank you Turtle: I have enough stripes removed for this years project. Next time I attempt to remove these old stubborn stripes I will follow your advise. Also Thank you for the two links, makes it real easy to find Vinyl-Off and the Astro Smart Eraser. http://www.cutterpros.com/proddetail.php?prod=VinylOff" target="_blank">http://www.cutterpros.com/proddetail.php?prod=VinylOff</a> http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap400e.html" target="_blank">http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap400e.html</a> PS. I noticed @ 11:23 PM you are now showing your 1991 Sunrader 18' V-6 in your avatar, Certainly looks like a very clean ToyHome. Wishing you the Best of luck with this Motorhome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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