I've had this question a couple times now - since I have so many tails for sale ("E" models only).
How do you get the stickers off so you don't have to repaint a tail?
Sure, a heat gun removes most of it but there is a thin clear film left. I haven't found any toxic petroleum distillate or other solvent that takes it off without damaging the surrounding paint or plastic.
Lacquer thinner removes the sticky left over but there is still a thin clear underlying something that just doesn't want to come off.
A good clear coat over it almost hides it but it is still detectable. Some of the tails are good except for blemishes in the stickers.
Any ideas or should people remove what they can then sand & paint?

This stuff is the best. In fact, I just used it to remove the 500F stickers the other day.

http://www.epinions.com/Oops_All-Purpose_Remover

Goo-B-Gone...not sure who makes it, but it was specifically made to remove the sticky goo left by decals...

I've never tried it though...if I end up keeping my GS, the decals are coming off and I'm painting...

I would have thought you would be the answer guy for this question, not the asker...??  All the tails that you have, I would have thought you had tried everything...

Oh well, Good Luck!!

Later.

Turpentine is what I used on mine. It should not damage the paint unless you go hardcore rubbing it. Wipe with a clean rag after.

Quote from: madjak30 on March 23, 2011, 07:44:56 PM
I've never tried it though...if I end up keeping my GS, the decals are coming off and I'm painting...

I would have thought you would be the answer guy for this question, not the asker...??  All the tails that you have, I would have thought you had tried everything...

Well, the problem is not new stuff. I had no problem removing all the warning stickers from my 2009.
Where I am talking is about the decals on the plastic tails from 20 years ago. I think rthey were not made the same as today's stickers and in the 20 years of being in the sun and weather, there is certain separation of layers and interaction between the layers in the stickers and the ancient paint.  We are all aware paint curing and how after a few months it is really tough compared to fresh paint. Other strange things seem to happen to stickers that are on for 20 years. Layers separate, the lowest layer of glue bonds to the paint, etc. You can wipe down these ancient tail pieces with lacquer thinner with no effect. Can't do that with new stuff without damaging it. I hope that explains the reason for my question.

First off I am not an expert.

I work on boats that have this problem as well when a customer wants to change the name of a boat and removes the lettering from the transom, it leaves what looks like a clear outline of the lettering. What I have discovered is that the sun can discolor, wears down, and damage the surface of anything left to it's exposure. Just as paint fades or a bar of soap wears down and dissolves so does the surface that is exposed to sunlight. This can be seen when you pull the sticker off and see the original color or that the color under the sticker is different from the rest of the surface because it was shielded from the sun.

Now a suggestion. Get some 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and lightly sand the raised areas. This will bring the surface down to where the rest of the area is. Compound, wax, and finish it up with some polish and you should be good. When I touch paint up or make a repair, I try to feather in the paint the best I can but always end up lightly wet sanding and buffing. Usually there is not need for a complete repaint.

Warning... Do not sand too hard or too much, if the surface has already faded too badly you may burn right through the paint into the primer or worse the metal.

Hope this helps.

I think I've discovered what it is.
The main part of the tail - 20 years old - has been weathered and exposed to the elements. When the sticker is removed, you get the original tail finish exposed. That looks bright and shiny, as if there is a thin clear coat. Which there probably was when the tail was new. Just the rest of the exposed tail has been exposed to the elements and the original clear coating as worn off. I don't think there is anything anyone can do about it except maybe slightly scrub the shiny part, buff the rest and then do a good clear coat. I still doubt that would make the part where the stickers were located totally invisible, but would come close.

That's the problem with removing stickers from 20 year old parts. I have touched up dinged stickers with colorrite.com touch up pens then clear coated the whole tail. That works much of the time. Otherwise, I guess I suggest if someone wants to remove the stickers, they will have to sand then repaint the tail. Try what ghostrider says first and if it doesn't work, do the repaint.

You can remove stickers from new parts and not see anything because the exposed parts have not been exposed to and worn down by the elements.