Removing stickers and their remains

[Lucasind]

Yes SCOTT, I "clicked on it " thanks for the walk down memory lane ! If I shoved some of my garage cabinets out from the wall, that I put there a long time ago.... I think that poster is still back there ..... and others !.......tony

[Muleears]

I'm losing the battle in the sticker war. I'm concentrating on a sticker that is between the gas door and the cruise. It is a factory warning sticker and appears to have been clear with just the letters showing. It also appears to be a plastic material. It is very cracked and some of the corners are worn away but it is a persistant . I have tried charcoal lighter, goo gone, mineral spirits and denatured alcohol. None even touched it. I think I will carefully try heat next and hopefully peel it off and then be able to remove the glue. Wish me luck. At the moment I'm a little frustrated.

[VoyKimmer]

No its not a chrome polish. Its a painted surface polish. I don't know whats in it but I like the results.

I've used Honda Spray Polish. Spray it on. Let it sit and work on it with a soft rag. Will not harm the paint. Might take a while but will eventually get it off with no harm to the paint or plastic.

Honda Spray Polish, is that a metal polish? Like chrome polish?

I had actually heard of the peanut butter method too, but I haven't tried it.

[Muleears]

This is what I'm up against:








The clear sticker is still there, as you can see only some of the corners have worn off. This is on the faux tank between the cruise and fuel door. A very obvious spot, so I'd like it gone. It's a factory sticker so I'm sure they used industrial glue of some sort!

[Furchin]

Now it's time to try the golf grip solvent that I mentioned before. Get or find the good stuff, not water based solvent. If you find it, put some on rag and keep rubbing it in, you may be surprised.

[Muleears]

Now it's time to try the golf grip solvent that I mentioned before. Get or find the good stuff, not water based solvent. If you find it, put some on rag and keep rubbing it in, you may be surprised.

I'll find some and give it a shot!

[Turbo4x4]

Heat gun works great! Just be careful. A hair dryer works and I use a product called "goof off". Use in a well ventilated area.

I have removed many stickers from medical equipment with WD40. Just won't be able to put any more stickers there until you remove the WD40 residue. Shouldn't harm anything.
Have to saturate any paper and give it a few moments to work on the adhesive. Then a soft scraper should work. I wouldn't use this on anything that can soak in the WD40, but the faux tank should be fine.
Just my suggestion,
ken

Absolutely agree with using WD40..I've been using it for more years than I care to remember, with no paint or finish problems whatsoever. You can even use it to remove permanent marker. Here's the trick... start with WD40, then go to isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, then back to WD40 (it won't take long) until the sticker or marker is gone. A little patience, a beer or two, and you're done. Good luck.

[Muleears]

Heat gun works great! Just be careful. A hair dryer works and I use a product called "goof off". Use in a well ventilated area.

I have removed many stickers from medical equipment with WD40. Just won't be able to put any more stickers there until you remove the WD40 residue. Shouldn't harm anything.
Have to saturate any paper and give it a few moments to work on the adhesive. Then a soft scraper should work. I wouldn't use this on anything that can soak in the WD40, but the faux tank should be fine.
Just my suggestion,
ken

Absolutely agree with using WD40..I've been using it for more years than I care to remember, with no paint or finish problems whatsoever. You can even use it to remove permanent marker. Here's the trick... start with WD40, then go to isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, then back to WD40 (it won't take long) until the sticker or marker is gone. A little patience, a beer or two, and you're done. Good luck.

Thanks Turbo, I'll give it a try while I install my new voltmeter!

[joerod777]

Wish I had known all these techniques when I removed my safety decal off the faux tank cover. I used a plastic scrapper and Goo Gone. It worked but took me a couple hours of work to get it off. Luckily I did not scratch the paint!

[Muleears]

Well here it is installed in the faux tank just below the cruise control. I know I could have put it else where but I figured the CC had a switched 12v wire to tap into so that's what I did. I know the reading won't be the full voltage of the battery but I should be able to keep an eye on its condition.





These pics were taken with it sitting on my dining room table (can't leave it there!). I'll have it on the bike and take another pic with it working later. It's supposed to be 66* here today and I'm gonna ride. Report for tomorrow afternoon is plunging temps, sleet/freezing rain then 2-4 inches of snow. That will paralyze Norfolk VA.
Its held in place by silicone caulk I put around the inside edge so no water will leak around it if I'm caught in the rain (not that it would matter).

Still have to sacrifice a old pair of sunglasses to tame that reflection (thanks SGTslag).

Still gotta get rid of that %$&## sticker...

[debron]

Cal,

Have you thought about cutting off the "ears" and putting it here?:

[Muleears]

Cal,

Have you thought about cutting off the "ears" and putting it here?:

That's a good idea.... Wish had seen that earlier! I already have it mounted in the pics. When mounting the faux cover on the bike it did bump something under the tank and make the tank hard to put on. I just got back from a ride and haven't had it back off to see what I'm hitting yet. I should have checked clearance before I mounted it.... stupid rookie mistake .

[joerod777]

Wish I had known some of these tips when I removed my tank safety decal....would have saved a lot of elbow grease :)

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Wish I had known some of these tips when I removed my tank safety decal....would have saved a lot of elbow grease :)

Joe, Joe, Joe..... you've been on the forum long enough to feel comfortable with everyone. Just Ask! I can remember having to ask for an explanation what a "triple tree" was. Everyone offered explanations and images and made me feel like it was alright not to know everything. Heck I didn't know about these various methods, and the day will come soon for me to do some removing so I am grateful that the question was asked now.
If only I can remember to check back at that time!!!!!

[SgtSlag]

Actually, I think you did a damn fine job of -- no, I'm not saying that to be nice.

You cut a square hole in that faux tank, accurately! That ain't easy! You mounted it, sealed it, and it's centered to boot! I like the location, actually. It would look good in the alternative location recommended as well, but you have no reason to feel bad about it. Damn fine job, I say. Congratulations! Cheers!

[Muleears]

Actually, I think you did a damn fine job of -- no, I'm not saying that to be nice.

You cut a square hole in that faux tank, accurately! That ain't easy! You mounted it, sealed it, and it's centered to boot! I like the location, actually. It would look good in the alternative location recommended as well, but you have no reason to feel bad about it. Damn fine job, I say. Congratulations! Cheers!

Thanks for the kind words SgtSlag, but I just realized I posted this in the wrong thread... I should have posted my comments and pics of the voltmeter in the voltmeter thread, not the sticker thread....... It must have been past my bedtime when I did that.

[1st one]

Use Peanut Butter

[kjsett]

This is what I'm up against:






The clear sticker is still there, as you can see only some of the corners have worn off. This is on the faux tank between the cruise and fuel door. A very obvious spot, so I'd like it gone. It's a factory sticker so I'm sure they used industrial glue of some sort!

Hey, have you got that sticker off yet? Just curious which method you used that worked for you.
Happy riding!!!!

[Muleears]

Unfortunately I have just learned to pretend it isn't there..... even though it is. I will attempt some of the other methods, I just haven't gotten to them with other things (work) interfering...

[Bill O]

Unfortunately I have just learned to pretend it isn't there..... even though it is. I will attempt some of the other methods, I just haven't gotten to them with other things (work) interfering...

I'm telling you, I tried everything back in the day on my '94, no luck, short of a high speed grinder. (Las Vegas summers really cooked that bad boy on!) However a chrome or colored ownership plaque engraved with your names (Pilot, Co-Pilot), state, etc, or whatever you would like engraved, really looks great and no more heartaches or embarrassing stickers. Plus when everyone is oogleing your bike they will know who it belongs to. This tip was passed to me back during the 2001 Red River, NM Rally. It literally cost me $10.00 for a color matched plaque at a local trophy shop. Had mine engraved with " Owner/Operator "name", Co-Pilot "name of wife" and home town. Second best suggestion is install one of those US State Maps (chrome or painted aluminum placard where you can identify all the states you've traveled through.

Just a thought.

Bill O