If the lawyers had their way, every new motorcycle would be covered in stickers telling you not to ride without a helmet, don't speed, don't wheelie, don't jump across the Grand Canyon... Reality isn't that bad, fortunately, but bikes like Arrick Maurice's Ducati Scrambler still come with a few warning labels that disrupt the clean lines of that bright red trellis frame. Removing them is pretty easy, but preserving them is the real trick.
Three out of four "tools" you need are items you probably already have kicking around the house: a hairdryer, a shop rag, and WD40. You can also use a heat gun if you happen to have one, but be careful. It could get too hot and melt plastics in the area you're working, especially if the stickers you're removing are actually on plastic. Even if you have a heat gun you might still want to sneak into the bathroom and swipe the hairdryer when nobody's looking.
Using the hairdryer, heat up one corner of the sticker you want to remove. After a few minutes, you should be able to carefully start to peel the corner up with your finger. Move the hairdryer along the sticker, slowly heating and peeling as you go. Patience is the key here so you don't rip the sticker. Eventually, it will come off completely, intact, and undamaged. Spray some WD40 on a shop rag, then wipe down the area where the sticker used to be. This will remove any remaining adhesive from the bike.
If you're just going to throw the stickers away, you're done. Arrick Maurice wanted to save his, though. It's possible a future owner of the bike might want them, either in their records or even to put back on the bike. That's where the final "tool" comes in: 3M adhesive transfer tape. The sticker, though intact, no longer has any stick to it. He uses the transfer tape to put a sticky but covered backing on the label once again. This gives a future owner the choice of what to do with it, whether it's to put it back where the factory put it, or put it on a friend's toolbox as a joke. Either way, the choice is theirs.
Tips And Tech
Remove those stubborn decals in five steps.
By Motorcycle Cruiser
Updated: July 5, 2019More Tips And Tech
Tips And Tech
How To Be a Woman in a Motorcycle Dealership, a GuideTips And Tech
5 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used MotorcycleTips And Tech
Tips on Installing a Helmet Communication SystemTips And Tech
How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Winter StorageTips And Tech
All the Motorcycles Offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
So, you've just purchased a wonderful new bicycle and love everything about it - except for the gaudy decals that serve no purpose other than to make your ride a prime target for theft. Not to worry, removing them is a simple process that will take less than an hour of your time.
Add TipAsk QuestionCommentDownload
Step 1: Apply Heat to Loosen Adhesive
Using a heat gun or hairdryer, apply heat to the decal to loosen the adhesive.
Add TipAsk QuestionCommentDownload
Step 2: Scrape Away Majority With a Metal Edge
Continue to apply heat as you scrape away the majority of the decal with a dull (not sharp!) metal edge. Use a very light touch, and scrape in one direction (not back and forth) so you're not continually pressing melted pieces back against your paint.
Add TipAsk QuestionCommentDownload
Step 3: Scrape Away Leftovers With a Credit Card
There will likely be small pieces of melted decal left that you won't be able to easily remove with your metal edge. To clean the rest of it off, wait for the bike to cool off a bit, then use a credit card to scrape the rest away.
Add TipAsk QuestionCommentDownload
Step 4: Finish With Adhesive Remover (if Necessary)
Depending on the type of decal you encounter, it may be necessary to finish with a bit of adhesive remover. It wasn't needed for this job, but I recommend GooGone if you find the area is sticky afterward.
Enjoy the clean look of your bike without decals!
Add TipAsk QuestionCommentDownload
Be the First to Share
Did you make this project? Share it with us!
I Made It!Recommendations
Hollow Wood Surfboard - Plywood and Cedar by memestra in Beach
84 9.6K
DIY Wheels for Bike or Trike or Trailer by Liebregts in Metalworking
63 14K
Be Seen! 3D Printed Bike Lights With Fusion 360 by Kevr102 in Bikes
55 9.4K
Unconventional Longboard by designcoyxe in Metalworking
62 6.6K
Lamps Challenge
Rice & Grains Challenge
Puzzles Challenge
11 Comments
0
sammizell1
10 months ago on Step 4
ReplyUpvote
Well common Sense will tell you to never use a metal scraper a credit card is good your fingernail is good and also you can use a handheld torch just don't get too close to the sticker just hold it back about 3 to 4 inches and wave it left and right and it should peel right off and take a microfiber towel with a little aggression you can rub the rest right off and shine up like new
0
CathalG2
4 years ago
ReplyUpvote
You're asking for trouble using a metal scraper - use plastic always and you will never scrape your paint
0
psycophonic
6 years ago
ReplyUpvote
Sweet post. Needed to get an idea how to remove old devals as just ordered some reflective decals on ebay. my bike's going to look siiickk...
0
alfianz
7 years ago
ReplyUpvote
What if I don't have a heat gun or hairdryer
3 replies0
Echo Violetalfianz
Reply 6 years ago
ReplyUpvote
repainting not reprinting... I give up! Lol
0
Echo Violetalfianz
Reply 6 years ago
ReplyUpvote
gloves not grooves... DYAC
0
Echo Violetalfianz
Reply 6 years ago
ReplyUpvote
Hey, if you do not have a heat gun or hairdryer you can zap a wet rag in the microwave to warm it up. Or make it hot & use grooves to wrap it around the decal & soften it. 3M makes a good adhesive & wax remover/spray but that can sometimes remove paint so I would only use it if you plan on reprinting it.
Hope that was helpful.
Cheers!
0
whitemanwalking
8 years ago on Introduction
ReplyUpvote
A further thing to note, the decals on Surly bicycles are made to be easily removed. When I purchsed a Surly frame I was able to remove all decals with just an old bank card.