Beaver Stripes Graphics Removal
Sooner or later, you’re going to have to remove your old vinyl graphics before you can install your nifty new graphics. The common approaches to removing vinyl range from basic to high tech with costs ranging from pennies to hundreds of dollars. Determining which approach is right for you depends on a few variables. Beaver Stripes can handle any of your vinyl graphics removal needs. Weather it be time to turn in your leased vehicle or just updating your fleet graphics. One of the biggest problems we run into when it comes to fleet graphics removal, is that many companies wait too long before the graphics are removed. This results in additional reconditioning costs because the paint is damaged under the burnt graophics.
Basic Vinyl Removal
The simplest method for removing vinyl graphics is to pull them off. Of course that’s easier said than done so there are tools designed to help you get under the corner of the graphic. The most common and affordable of these are plastic razor blades and “Li’l Chizlers”. Both are thin, plastic hand tools designed to slide under the edge of the vinyl and scrape it away from the surface without damaging the substrate. If you can pry the edges up with a Lil Chizler or plastic razor blade, you may be able to simply peel the rest by hand. This will depend on the age and type of vinyl.
The younger or more pliable it is, the better your chances of getting it off in large sections; or at least, entire letters. The older it is, the more likely it will be brittle and come off in little pieces. Long term UV exposure eventually bakes all the plasticizers out of the face film. Here’s a quick tip. If the vinyl is old and brittle, you may be able to get it to come off more smoothly by using a heat gun to warm the face film. This will also help soften the adhesive underneath and reduce the amount of work required to clean the substrate. If you live in a warm enough climate, and you’re removing vinyl from a vehicle, you can opt for the original ‘heat gun’ and just park it in the sun for a while before you attack it with the Chizlers.
Vinyl Removal Wheels
If you’re dealing with a really big job or a fleet of vehicles, you may want something more efficient, something more powerful. There options for vinyl removal that are essentially power tools or attachments for stripping the vinyl off of your substrate- without taking the paint off with it.These tools use a urethane rubber wheel designed to be attached to an air or electric power drill, the larger wheels are designed to be attached to a variable speed buffer. They have a smooth edge and, in most cases, removes both the face film and adhesive without burning or discoloring the substrate.
Even with the use of these vinyl removal wheels there will be glue residue left behind and if not removed can make the vehicle look really bad ugly as dirt and grime starts to collect on the remaining glue residue.
When you start to consider your expense of the tools, wheels and chemicals to remove your graphics. Along with the your time or the cost of your employees’ time to clean up these jobs, then maybe you should consider calling Beaver Stripes to take care of the whole process. many times it will be less than the cost of your time and expense and will be done in a lot shorter period of time. What is your time worth?
Vinyl Off: One Step Removal
Vinyl Off is engineered to remove the vinyl and adhesive in one step. With Vinyl Off, you apply the fluid directly to the film. It penetrates the vinyl and softens the adhesive, allowing you to pull the entire graphic off in one piece, with no residue. Since it’s permeating the vinyl and adhesive, it takes a bit longer than Rapid Remover. Allow five to fifteen minutes for the formula to penetrate the face film and adhesive. Then you’re ready to remove that crusty old graphic. If there’s sticky residue left behind, you’re using too much, a little goes a long way.
What about reflective signage? Since some reflective films are made from acrylic resins instead of PVC. Reflective Vinyl Off works the same way as the original formula, but much more quickly. The reflective sheeting will be ready to remove in only 60 seconds. Whether you’re using Vinyl Off on standard or reflective vinyl, remember what Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben said. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Do not pour Vinyl OFF directly on the substrate. It may damage the paint. Saturate an applicator pad, apply it directly, but sparingly to the vinyl, and let it work its magic.
Glue Residue Remover
Whether your vinyl comes off in complete letters or little pieces, you will almost certainly have adhesive residue. If you’re removing a vehicle wrap installed for two years or less, residue may not be a problem. So one could say the first step toward easy removal is choosing the right vinyl during installation.
If you’re not that lucky, how do you get rid of the residue after the face film has been removed? Rapid Remover works by attacking the chemical bonds of the adhesive and allowing you to wipe it off the substrate. Rapid remover is a companion product to Rapid Tac application fluid and is Beaver Stripes first choice for glue removal. Its main selling point is the “rapid” part. According to the Rapid folks it ‘breaks down and removes adhesives in as little as sixty seconds”. After having chiseled or pulled away the vinyl, spray with Rapid Remover. Allow a few minutes for it to penetrate the adhesive, then scrape it away with a squeegee or the aforementioned Li’l Chizler. Get the rest of the residue with a few more spritzes of Rapid Remover and a paper towel. Since Rapid Remover is water soluble, it’s easy to rinse the surface clean to get ready for the next graphic.
Beaver Stripes Removal Team
So we have offered you the choices and tools to remove the vinyl graphics yourself, you start the project… Then hours later you have not gotten very far along, you start thinking about the time you have wasted, or your employees’ time you have taken away from more important projects.
Beaver Stripes has assembled a team of vinyl removal professionals. No we don’t show up on the job site in a station wagon or unmarked van with no ladders!
Consider your time and investment of chemicals,what is the removal worth to you? If you work with Beaver Stripes, we will quote a price and time line. Most small removals are done at our shop, but we can offer offsite removals. In many cases our team can come out to your location, remove all the graphics and glue residue on a 53′ trailer or fully wrapped box truck in lass than 8 hours. Fully equipped with ladders, scaffolds and chemicals. We also offer power washing and detailing for the jobs that are getting new graphics replaced.