Decals on Fabric exterior

[EDGEFLY]

There are three decals pasted (somehow ) on my newly acquired CHIEF and I wish to remove them. The exterior finish is in very fine condition so it becomes a task to be performed with great finesse. The skin is Polyfibre covered with Aerothane. Any ideas for non-aggressive techniques to take them off ?

Dale

[Carl Prather]

Dale,

What I've done was use a Product called "Goof Off" with good results on all kinds of surfaces. Since you have Aerothane, I would think the finish it would tolerate its use. However, I would try some inconspicuous place first to be sure. I'm not so sure with Polytone. I had a Pacer painted with Polytone and it picked up many kinds of stains that I couldn't remove, but it's different product.

Let us know what you do and how it works.

Carl Prather

[Red(neck) Barron]

I had a couple of stickers on my Champ when I bought it that I was able to peel off but left adhesive on the surface. Goo-Gone cleaned it right up with no damage to the paint. I also have Poly-fiber cover. I've used Goo-Gone on other surfaces as well and it is very effective without attacking the underlying surface. If those are water based decals though, this might not be effective.

[Champ Dreamer]

Might work with Aerothane, but don't try it with polytone; removed the paint on my Champ where I tried to get rid of some glue remnants from cheap masking tape.

Brian Walker
N1197E '46 7AC

[EDGEFLY]

Went to the hangar today but forgot to take the Goo Gone with me. Took off two decals just by careful lifting. Huge success on one. There is just a little little adhesive substance left and I feel confident the Goo Gone will clean it up fine. Expect surface to match adjoining section exactly. The other one was a different story. The baseball size sticker came off all right with just gentle lifting BUT..... it had obviously been there for a reason. There is an ugly scratch about a quarter of an inch wide by one an one half inches long where something took the paint right off the aluminum skin on the door ! Used-car sales technique, I guess. Well, I have only my naivety to blame for that. The thirid sticker is on a rear side window and it's removal has been relegated to "later" while I visit the fabric and paint match thread.

My thanks to all for your help.


Dale

[EDGEFLY]

Went to the hangar today but forgot to take the Goo Gone with me. Took off two decals just by careful lifting. Huge success on one. There is just a little little adhesive substance left and I feel confident the Goo Gone will clean it up fine. Expect surface to match adjoining section exactly. The other one was a different story. The baseball size sticker came off all right with just gentle lifting BUT..... it had obviously been there for a reason. There is an ugly scratch about a quarter of an inch wide by one an one half inches long where something took the paint right off the aluminum skin on the door ! Used-car sales technique, I guess. Well, I have only my naivety to blame for that. The thirid sticker is on a rear side window and it's removal has been relegated to "later" while I visit the fabric and paint match thread.

My thanks to all for your help.


Dale

[EDGEFLY]

Removed both labels by simply lifting an edge and carefully peeling them loose. One of these was on the fabric and left a small amount of sticky residue on the surface. Mostly at the edges. GooGone was used in small quantities with a microfibre cloth and it took the residue off completely. As a clean-up, applied a very light mixture of Dawn dishsoap and water and the surface after drying seems to completely match its' surroundings. The second Label also left a small amount of residue which also resulted in a complete clean up with the same technique. This is the one that was hiding the scratch on the aluminum surface. Still have to figure out the paint approach. But, anyway, both came completely clean and there is no contrast with the adjoining areas.

Thanks, Carl.

Dale