What's the worst thing to use to clean vintage decals?
03-10-21, 10:44 AM
#1
2k miles from the midwest
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What's the worst thing to use to clean vintage decals?
Several of the decals on one of the new bikes have what appears to be medical tape over the 531 decals. Normally my bikes are already disintegrated by the time I get ahold of them. I know they are usually super delicate paper stickers, so I am not sure what the best course of action would be. Usually I'd use a little high test alcohol, but wondering if some baby oil might be better.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
03-10-21, 11:02 AM
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Several of the decals on one of the new bikes have what appears to be medical tape over the 531 decals. Normally my bikes are already disintegrated by the time I get ahold of them. I know they are usually super delicate paper stickers, so I am not sure what the best course of action would be. Usually I'd use a little high test alcohol, but wondering if some baby oil might be better.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Best, Ben
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03-10-21, 12:08 PM
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I’ve used WD40 for similar projects with success. However I’d hate to have you use it and have it destroy your decals somehow ?
03-10-21, 12:08 PM
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Flamethrower?
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
03-10-21, 12:24 PM
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try some rubbing alcohol or maybe goo gone.
03-10-21, 12:25 PM
#7
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03-10-21, 12:30 PM
#9
Off grid off road
Worst? Hammer and chisel might do it.
Not worst: Water and hand soap, vinegar or lemon juice, or olive oil.
Usually work for me unless caked-on oily grime on mechs.
Not worst: Water and hand soap, vinegar or lemon juice, or olive oil.
Usually work for me unless caked-on oily grime on mechs.
Last edited by Deepcherry; 03-10-21 at 02:21 PM.
03-10-21, 12:36 PM
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Start with water - place a moist paper towel on there and let it sit. Sometime, this will soften the adhesive and you can "roll" it off but rubbing with a finger.
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03-10-21, 12:51 PM
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Stay away from commercial cleaners like Spray-Nine or even WD-40, especially on old decals. Dawn dish soap and water is my go-to.
03-10-21, 01:50 PM
#12
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Flamethrower?
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03-10-21, 02:27 PM
#13
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This is C&V after all. Those other methods are too high tech.
Although, Germany did use flamethowers in WWI
Although, Germany did use flamethowers in WWI
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03-10-21, 04:04 PM
#14
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My goodness, the threads these days!
Set an original Campy brifter box on fire (with the brifters still inside) and burn it off. Then scrape off the charred residue with a brake disc. But you should throw away that fork anyhow. It is definitely bent.
[/thread]
To avoid posting something that lacks substance, I can say that acetone is harsher than most other solvents you could try. I have had good luck with ethyl acetate (commonly found in non-acetone nail polish remover) to remove rattle-can paint while leaving original finishes untouched. Isopropyl alcohol is less harsh, and I would say goo-gone is a step lower still, on the totem pole of harshness.
Set an original Campy brifter box on fire (with the brifters still inside) and burn it off. Then scrape off the charred residue with a brake disc. But you should throw away that fork anyhow. It is definitely bent.
[/thread]
To avoid posting something that lacks substance, I can say that acetone is harsher than most other solvents you could try. I have had good luck with ethyl acetate (commonly found in non-acetone nail polish remover) to remove rattle-can paint while leaving original finishes untouched. Isopropyl alcohol is less harsh, and I would say goo-gone is a step lower still, on the totem pole of harshness.
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Last edited by scarlson; 03-10-21 at 04:09 PM.
03-10-21, 04:17 PM
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I was thinking nuclear blast, but then I thought black hole. If you are going to take something down, you might as well take the solar system with it.
1. Water and Dawn
2. If that don't work, Goo Gone
3. If that don't work, alcohol
4. If that don't work, acetone
1. Water and Dawn
2. If that don't work, Goo Gone
3. If that don't work, alcohol
4. If that don't work, acetone
03-10-21, 04:31 PM
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3.5. Ethyl acetate, which is in many brands of non-acetone nail polish remover. Trust me, I'm a chemist.
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
03-10-21, 04:50 PM
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Has anyone suggested a Sawzall?
Otherwise, trust the chemist.
Otherwise, trust the chemist.
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03-10-21, 05:48 PM
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Several of the decals on one of the new bikes have what appears to be medical tape over the 531 decals. Normally my bikes are already disintegrated by the time I get ahold of them. I know they are usually super delicate paper stickers, so I am not sure what the best course of action would be. Usually I'd use a little high test alcohol, but wondering if some baby oil might be better.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
The adhesive on the tape looks like it has dried out and may be hard to lift without removing the decal. Waterslides have a water-soluble glue on them which makes removal of the tape difficult/impossible.
Is the tape residue on the area that the tape has been hard or is it still reasonably pliable? If so you might try rubbing the tape off by starting on an area that does not have any decal underneath (low heat from a hairdryer may soften it a bit) it to see if it will rub off....if so continue with care.
But I am afraid that you will need to purchase some replacements...the ones on the frame seem beyond saving.
Good Luck, Ben
BTW, the title of the thread elicited the hilarious responses that were on point....worst/best?
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"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
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Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire
Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
Last edited by xiaoman1; 03-10-21 at 05:51 PM.
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03-10-21, 07:11 PM
#20
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Old wigs and a magic 8 ball.
03-10-21, 08:33 PM
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You guys are pretty creative. I was just gonna say a wire brush.
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03-10-21, 08:39 PM
#22
aka: Dr. Cannondale
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Lighter fluid, the kind that comes in a yellow bottle- Ronsonal.
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03-10-21, 09:51 PM
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Use a gun.
Take the cannoli.
Take the cannoli.
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