Removing Vinyl Decals from satin black paint

[Robenstein]

Okay, this is technically not for a car, but an electric guitar. It has a satin black urethane finish on it and the previous owner (its a pawn shop buy) put a vinyl decal on it. I am looking for a way to remove it without buggering up the finish.

I was thinking maybe plastic razor blades and a hair dryer, but is there anything that would be spray on that might work better?

 

[CHARLIEBRONSON21]

Heat gun and goo gone/peanut butter? Shame the guitar has been dirtied.

 

[GutsyGecko]

Heat gun then goo gone. Test goo gone on inconspicuous area first.

 

[Robenstein]

Thanks all. It was an obvious trekkie as it says "Resistance is Futile". I wouldn't have minded it so much if it was applied well and not gigantic.

 

[Trav]

WD40 is harmless to paint. A plastic blade may create a shiny spot, use the hair dryer and remove it then clean up the glue with the WD40.

 

[Donald]

I have seen decal removed at boat stores, maybe West Marine.

 

[SF0059]

Use a hair dryer GENTLY to warm up the sticker then peal it back slowly while keeping it warm. Do not use a heat gun as it would be really easy to get it too hot and burn/crinkle the finish, plus the core is wood and could warp with high heat. Use WD-40 to get the residue off. With satin black I would stay away from Goo-Gone or anything oily like peanut butter. That'll just gloss it up.

 

[dparm]

Agreed, do not use any chemicals. That kind of finish will absorb it and you'll never get it clean.

 

[kkreit01]

....and don't peel it up. Peel it forward at 45 degree angle.

Like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clI78qfUqlg


FF about half-way through. I've followed this procedure for other decals, stickers, price tags on various items, and it works great. Go slow -- at a 45 degree angle.

Since it's a guitar, and flat paint, I too wouldn't use any chemicals. This may be a tough task, and it may be noticeable once removed.

 

[Robenstein]

Thanks one and all, and yes its a finish that is hard to clean. I lemon oiled the fretboard since it was dried out and the residue that got on it from my hands was a pain to get off.