Overheard a guy at the paint supply shop say he uses a heat gun on low to soften decals before removal

I was picking up some clear coat in Tacoma yesterday and this older guy was telling the clerk about it. He said he sets his heat gun to about 150 degrees and gently warms the old sticker for maybe 30 seconds. It loosens the adhesive without leaving that nasty residue or damaging the clear coat underneath. I tried it this morning on a stubborn dealer badge and it came off clean in one piece. Anyone have a different method for old decals that works just as well?

3 comments

3 Comments

jason_lewis31mo ago

A hair dryer works too if you don't have a heat gun handy. Just keep it moving to avoid getting one spot too hot.

holly_reed551mo ago

Actually tried the hair dryer trick last week and it was a total mess. The heat is way too spread out and uneven compared to a real heat gun, so it takes forever and can still warp thin plastic. Sorry @jason_lewis3, but that advice might work in a pinch for something super simple, like loosening a sticker. For anything needing real control, like shrink tubing or bending acrylic, you're just better off waiting until you can borrow or buy the right tool.

ivanscott1mo ago

Check the wattage on your hair dryer first, @jason_lewis3, because most just don't get hot enough.