Removing decals from fuel tank

Hi All,

any advice on the safe (for me and the paint) removal of tank pads and other decals affixed to the fuel tank? Thanks!:flame:

 

You should be able to heat them up with a hair dryer and starting with one edge, slowly peel them off. The Honda Wings are likely cleared over and will not be removable. The other stickers should probably just peel off easily. If there is any adhesive remaining you can get it off with an adhesive remover like Goo-Gone (available at places like Canadian Tire or Wal-Mart)

 

source of ignition

Yeah I have seen techniques for decal removal from fairings using a hair dryer and this seems to be the way to go. My concern with that method here was the proximity of an ignition source (i.e. the hair dryer) that close to the fuel tank. Thoughts?

 

The type of Goo-Gone should be carefully chosen. As you know, the factory paintjobs are amazingly tough finishes. Any residual adhesive after the use of a hair dryer (Not a heat gun!!) can be removed with paint thinner, VM&P naptha, lighter fluid, charcoal starter fluid, Stoddard solvent and even "mineral spirits".

Paint thinner and mineral spirits are the same thing in different jugs with the mineral spirits costing more. Caveat Emptor!

Yep those Honda decals under the clearcoat have to be taken down to bare metal..

Any decal removal should IMO start with a washjob of the surface being addressed to prevent scratching the paint. Depending on how long the decals or vinyl graphics ect. have been affixed may show evidence of paint fade in the previously exposed areas.

 

Yeah i won't be taking off the wings any time soon. Have a decal that is cracking and tired that needs removal and a tank pad that is in need of replacement. The tank pad will be replaced so not as much of a worry as the decal. I will have to live with any fade in th paint that remains and with any luck the black paint will have faded less than red.

 

As long as the fuel filler cap is closed, I should think you will be fine. I have used this method numerous times in the past and not had an issue. As BB suggested, if the stickers you are planning to remove have been there a long time, there is a possibility that the paint on the bike will have faded around the area of the sticker. Also a good idea to use a micro fiber cloth to remove any extra adhesive residue and use a gentle rubbing motion to prevent scratching the tank.

 

Some tank pads are magnetic like refrigerator magnets. Less if any fading with black. The industry still uses carbon black as a pigment base. Artists colors in oil are different and acrylics are synthetics.

There can be an imperceptible build of wax or wax like preparations that can and will trap dirt particles on the edges of decals and tank pads, hence the suggested washing.

 

WD40 will soften and remove the glue left behind without hurting the paint.