Signage FAQs | How to remove vehicle graphics and wraps

One of the advantages of vehicle wraps is that they can be partially or completely removed if you want to update the message displayed. If you need to have all or part of your vehicle wrap removed, this article provides useful information and how to remove your wrap.

The time, effort and tools you’ll need to remove a vehicle wrap depend on a number of factors. Quality wrap material such as 3M Control Tac and laminate will make the removal much easier. If your wrap has been installed for many years and has begun to deteriorate, this will affect the removal effort.

Areas that have gotten extreme sun exposure will likely make older wraps brittle. Normally the worst areas are horizontal surfaces that get direct sunlight including the hood, roof and window sills. In the easiest wrap removal, panels will come off in a single piece, and a 2 man crew can remove a full wrap in 40 minutes to an hour. If there are areas that have become brittle, this will significantly increase the effort and may take as long as 12 man hours or more to remove a wrap.

Prior to beginning removal, consider if you want to remove all, or only part of the wrap. Once a wrap has been installed for a while, replacing a single panel will likely yield a slight mismatch in appearance between the old and new panels. Though this variance may not be noticeable in your design at typical viewing distances, it’s best to consult your wrap vendor and keep this in mind when planning a partial removal.

Tools / Materials Needed:
Heat Gun
Gloves
* Isopropyl Alcohol
* Plastic Scraper
* Single Edge Razor Blade Scraper
* Orange Peel or Rapid Remover Adhesive Remover

Items marked with an asterisk (*) above may not be necessary depending on the age of your wrap, the wrap material used and overall condition. Additional detail below.

In all but the simplest wrap removals, the use of gloves is strongly recommended. Heat the edge of a wrap panel to be removed using a heat gun. Start slowly and don’t overdo it with the heat gun – you don’t want to melt a taillight lens in the process of wrap removal. With a bit of heat application, the edge should separate or pull away slightly from the vehicle. This will allow you to pull back the edge enough to get a good grip on it. For graphics installed on glass, a single edge razor blade scraper may be used to lift a corner of the graphic.

Once you have an edge started, slowly pull the material away from the vehicle. Continue to heat the material just in front of the area you’re about to remove. Keep the heat gun well away from the surface and keep it moving to avoid burning the material or damaging the vehicle. Having a second person working on the wrap removal will allow each of you to focus on a single task. This allows you to use both hands to grip the wrap panel being removed. The metal in the vehicle holds heat well so that the person with the heat gun can work well ahead of where you are pulling. In this manner, each focused on a single task, the job goes smoother and there’s less chance of being burned by the heat gun.

If a quality wrap material and laminate was used, proper removal technique will ensure that no adhesive residue is left on the vehicle. If residue remains however, you’ll need something to break down the adhesive to avoid making a bigger mess. Though rather expensive, orange peel adhesive removal fluid works the best. The orange peel fluid is sprayed on the remaining adhesive and allowed to sit for about a minute. Use the plastic scraper over the residue and it will congeal into a gummy ball. The gummy residue can then be lifted with a paper towel. When removing the adhesive, the less wiping motion you use, the better off you’ll be. The orange fluid should not be left on any surface for extended periods, and use on plastic should be avoided. Once all adhesive residue has been removed, isopropyl alcohol can be used to remove any remaining orange peel fluid.

If your wrap is brittle, try to remove as much as you can in large pieces. Any remaining material will need to be carefully scraped with a plastic scraper and heat. Similar in appearance to a single edged razor blade scraper, ScrapeRite makes a scraper that’s ideal for this purpose. The blades are available in a variety of materials, be sure to use a softer material that won’t damage the paint. Unfortunately, scraping will always leave adhesive residue, so any part of your wrap that’s become brittle will require multiple passes; scraping, residue removal, cleaning of orange peel removal fluid.

If large portions of your wrap have become brittle, there are chemicals that can be used to soften the material before removal. This method adds chemical costs and will leave residue as well. Even so, this may be a time saving alternative when compared to scraping large areas.

Removal Tips
During removal, ensure solid footing. If a panel suddenly gives or tears, proper footing will keep you from becoming yet another successful gravity / inertia experiment. Take your time, especially with the heat gun. You’re better off going over an area twice – you don’t want to overdo it on the first pass. With practice you’ll learn how much heat is needed for a clean removal. If in doubt, consult with your local sign shop or vehicle wrap installer.

For more information, contact:

Spectrum Signs
23382 Madero Suite L
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 297-3800

Spectrum Signs