Sticker removal... seriously...

[slotrod65]

OK, so my new Stella still has the stickers on the reverse of the legshield. One has the VIN, and the other proclaims that the scooter is a Stella, made in India. A third is on the top of the glovebox and warns me to follow the break-in instructions or I will void the warranty.

Any thoughts on removing them without scratching the paint? I tried using a credit card, and soaking them with a wet washcloth pressed against them for about an hour. No dice. They are tough.

Thanks in advance!

[dalebor]

OK, so my new Stella still has the stickers...

Any thoughts on removing them without scratching the paint? I tried using a credit card, and soaking them with a wet washcloth pressed against them for about an hour. No dice. They are tough.

Thanks in advance!

I haven't tried to remove any of the stickers on mine yet but in general the following has worked for me most of the time on other bikes. Use a hair dryer set on high to soften the adhesive. When the sticker gets warm use your fingernail to start peeling back the sticker. After you get the sticker off there will probably be some adhesive left on the paint. I use Goo-Gone to remove the extra adhesive. You can find it in most hardware stores.

DaleB

[misterbrackets]

I did exactly what DaleB describes. If you have a razor scraper (for getting paint off windows, etc), that works in place of the fingernails. If the blade is sharp and you hold it at a very low angle, it will easily peel the stickers off after you heat them up and won't hurt the paint. You'll still need the GooGone to get all the adhesive off.

[slotrod65]

Thanks gang. I will be trying the blow dryer method today.

[pat.m.ryan]

+1 on the Goo-Gone.

I had to remove a bunch of very stubborn stickers from my helmet. Put some on a paper towel and let it sit on the sticker for an hour or so...vigorously attacked it with a credit card and repeated as necessary. Finally used a wet cloth to remove the leftover crap.

I think a razor would make it way too easy to scratch the paint.

[Maximus53]

I went with the razor method without heat. The stickers on flat or convex surfaces are very easy this way (top of glove box, barcode under seat) however i made a mess on concave surface on the inside of my legsheild removed paint in a spot about the size of a quarter.

Max

[slotrod65]

I used the blow dryer on the sticker at lunch time. It was stubborn, but the heat definitely helped! Next I will apply some goo gone, and that should do it.

[mfavata]

I'm in the same boat, trying to remove the same stickers. I bought specialty stuff at the auto parts store I work at, made by permatex. Spray on, let it soak a few minutes, then peel the sticker off.

DID NOT WORK.

I'm going to go at it with the hair dryer later tonight.

[slotrod65]

Yep. Just so you know: I ruined the card I was using. I now save any cards I get: plastic room key cards, casino cards, disney passes, that sort of thing. They make great disposable scrapers. Don't use your VISA...

[misterbrackets]

I always find SOMETHING in my wallet that's expired

[dalebor]

If I want to scrape almost anything and not mung up the underlying surface (and my finger nail won't do the trick), I use wood tongue depressors. If you really push hard they can scratch paint a bit but with heat and/or chemical help you don't have to push very hard. Since they have rounded ends they also work better on concave surfaces. You can buy a box of 100 or so for just a few bucks at the bigger drug stores. I would bet that they are also available at Amazon.

I also use them for removing gaskets without scoring the aluminum, again, with chemical help. You can also easily alter their shape with a knife for odd shaped areas. A V point can help remove an o-ring glued in a groove and there will be no damage to the aluminum.

DaleB

[Lokky]

personally I would keep the sticker with the VIN, it might make the difference between getting your bike back or not one day.

[jimmbomb]

Walmart automotive department. Look for 3M automotive adhesive remover. Spray can about as big as a can of spray paint. Spray some on a rag.. Press on the sticker.. Rub a little.. Respray get it saturated. Hold into to the offending sticker.. In less than 5 minutes. Rubbing lightly and holding.. The stickers will start to wrinkle and peel off.. Use clean part of rag and more spray to clean up. Spray the stuff onto the rag only.. Thats what worked for me..
Good luck

[jimmbomb]

Here's an old thread for what works and what doesn't.... http://www.modernbuddy.com/forum/viewt ... t=stickers

[slotrod65]

The glovebox sticker paper came off with the blow dryer/credit card combo. The remains came off with some goo-gone and an old washcloth with the credit card scraper. Now for the inside legshield stickers....

[Goldfishpimp]

A spray can of bug and tar remover works like a dream. It's cheap stuff and works every time. Hair dryer/heat gun is a good idea to.

[Crew]

Hair dryer and a rag did it for me.

[headhunterfrank]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of taking off the VIN sticker? Isn't there another place where the VIN is marked? (I looked and could not find it)

[Goldfishpimp]

I don't see any advantage of it being on there once the scooter's been purchased. There's a sticker and "engraving " inside the glove box. I've heard someone mentioning leaving it on in case it's ever stolen....but I'm assuming the thief would just wind up taking it off.