12 replies to this topic

[Dickspitch]

I have peeled off a Union Jack roof decal in preparation to respray the roof of my 1992 Mini in another colour but it has left a gluey residue. I went in for the kill with cellulose thinners on a rag to try to clean it off but it’s slow going and I’m not convinced it’s completely removing it. The last thing I want to do is prepare it for respraying by flatting it and mixing any remaining glue into the existing paint that will react with the new paint which will be cellulose. Has anyone else had this problem and can offer advice?? I want a black roof and thinking maybe put a vinyl one on as a ‘period’ answer to the problem!!🤣

[simonaoz]

Label remover. I haven't used this one, but this is the kind of stuff https://www.ebay.co....tm/174272284258

[JDMRoverMini]

Citrus cleaners and a plastic scraper. It’ll be slow, but safe. The a quick wash to clean it off.

[KTS]

another option is to see if the adhesive on duct tape etc will lift the residue

[Minirook]

Get a can of xylene, it will take the adhesive off and not hurt the paint. After that use a wax and grease remover prior to painting.

[whistler]

I used petrol on a rag when I removed my company graphics from a works van then washed down with soapy water.

Edited by whistler, 16 June 2023 - 03:13 PM.

[stuart bowes]

wonder wheels are pretty good at getting rid of badge / sticker residue

 

https://www.amazon.c...407681892&psc=1

 

if you're doing a whole roof though you might get through a few of them

[Vanman20]

Panel wipe

[Dickspitch]

Thanks for all your suggestions! That gives me a few things to try and some good advice, much appreciated

[nicklouse]

WD40 works fine.

[Cooper Mac]

Acetone (nail varnish remover) might work, and will also remove any other oils and contaminates before painting.

I wouldn’t use WD40, as this will give no end of small imperfections in the paint, and the only way to remove WD40 is to use acetone, so use that from the start! I learned this the hard way a few years ago…..

[weef]

I know it is too late telling you now but the best way to remove sticky decals/ lettering etc is to use a steam wallpaper stripper. It softens the adhesive and the decal, the result being that things pull off nicely leaving next to no adhesive and only needing a buff with some compound to remove anything that is left.

This method leaves no nasty chemicals that may affect the paint  in future.

[Dickspitch]

Quick update then given the trouble so many of you have gone to to help! Three things that have been suggested and I had handy were petrol, acetone and xylene. All three worked but ironically good old petrol is by far the most effective being lots faster than the other two and leaving no trace of the glue. For info I left the roof to bake in yesterdays sun which softened the decals so much I was able to peel them all off in one go so that worked just as well as a hot air gun on a colder day which I’ve used before on other stickers. But the glue residue left behind was something else!! Panel wipe didn’t touch it by the way… Having suffered a bad reaction after spraying stone chip onto the underside recently I will definitely now try a small prepared area and test spray before committing to the whole roof. Thanks so much again for everyone’s help!