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Tank Decal Removal

7.9K views 26 replies 15 participants last post by  Sundown  
#1 · (Edited)
So, how hard can it be to remove the awful orange warning decal manufacturers put on motorcycle gas tanks. A Google search shows that it requires a hairdryer, WD-40 or Goo Gone, a finger nail and some time and effort. Easy peasy....right.

Well, I got the decal off in relatively short order, but took me some two hours of carefully soaking and scratching with my finger nail. What the heck!

Oh ya, I suppose it matters that the tank decal was on my '96 Shadow 1100 ACE and has been there for over two decades. Finally, now with 64,000 kms on the dial, the tank is clean.

 
#2 ·
Never understood why folk leave those on.. When I picked mine up from the dealership fresh out the crate I told them to take all unnecessary stickers off before I picked it up.

Only one I have is the chain tension stick that has the tire size chart
 
#3 ·
The tank sticker on my 2001 ACE came right off day one. No hair dryer, no WD40. Just lift and remove. That was in 2000. The rest of the stickers I left on the Honda. They are informational. Now, 2016, the tank sticker and the crash bar stickers on my Indian are ON. The one on the tank took some effort. The sticker itself lifted off ok, but it left residue. A little Mequiars quick spray and some rubbing and it was off. The ones on the chrome are still there because they are really stuck and don't peel off as easily. Plus I am just too darn lazy to drag out a hair dryer right now. I guess someone decided we need our hands held and need to be warned about almost everything we do. So they really adhere those things to make sure the sticker just doesn't blow off I guess. The longer they stay on, the harder it is to remove the adhesive.
 
#5 ·
I guess someone decided we need our hands held and need to be warned about almost everything we do.


I'm pretty sure this is because there are a few morons that don't know coffee is hot, or moving parts can take a finger, or falling off a motorcycle can hurt or cause death. These moron sue because there was no warning label to tell them this. Stickers prevent morons from starting lawsuits, but they don't prevent morons.
 
#4 ·
To remove most stuff like this, I use carb cleaner or acetone, whichever I have on the shelf...


Works for me...
Lets Ride,
D
 
#8 · (Edited)
Take it off before too long though because it can leave a permanent mark if you don't. I was lazy and took mine off my Phantom later and experienced this. It doesn't go away either.

There are probably exceptions but you probably don't want to take the chance.
 
#10 ·
Used a heat gun last week to remove the stickers off a buddy's 2008 SV650. The ones on the plastic came off with ease, but the 2 on the tank were a bit of a pain. Lots of heat, multiple tries. Then GooGone for most of the residue. Then the next day some elbow grease and degreaser cleaned it right up.

Sent from my custom purple Joe Bass mobile device using Tapatalk
 
#11 ·
After the sticker peels off, you can use smooth peanut butter to remove the gooey residue. On most anything.
Slather on a fairly thick coat, then remove it the following morning with a paper towel.
Most any kind will work, and no risk of damaging paint.


But us choosey Muthers choose Jif.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Lick it!



The stickers on the tank of my '02 Aero took like a jillion little picks with my thumb nail. I tried everything. Acetone, heat, wd-40, and a bunch of other crap. In the end, it came down to my thumb nail and about an hour of picking. THAT SUCKED. My thumb was sore as hell.
Now I'm going to replace it with one that says:

WARNING
Stop reading this sticker and
look at the road, dummy!

The sticker on the tank had been there more than a decade, and had started its own destruction from them Utra-Violent Rays, producing heat,unbearable at times, south GA Heat...
The edges had come off by their own means and was lookin` kinda Ugly, so I started my year long, or more, removal, by picking off the loose pieces as they turned aloose...
It did leave a Tell Tale sign of having been there by leaving a Darker Paint where it HAD BEEN once it was gone...
Today though, you cannot see that on the tank, as them Utra-Violent Rays have done faded the paint to match :)


But, Gnarly, Depending on how much I used & knowing me and my recycle - reuse thinking, I`d have to either make a peanut butter sammich or lick off the peanut butter...
Russel, I pick off those Warning labels from Anns medicine bottles too, for Recycle/Reuse...
I often put one on the speedometer, what states, "Can Cause Blurred Vision"...
I place it on the 100MPH mark ;)


Lets Ride & Meet
D


T-Minus 2 Days
 
#12 ·
The stickers on the tank of my '02 Aero took like a jillion little picks with my thumb nail. I tried everything. Acetone, heat, wd-40, and a bunch of other crap. In the end, it came down to my thumb nail and about an hour of picking. THAT SUCKED. My thumb was sore as hell.
Now I'm going to replace it with one that says:

WARNING
Stop reading this sticker and
look at the road, dummy!
 
#15 ·
Maybe try the peanut butter trick. I never heard of that one.
I usually use WD40 first because it can loosen the grip of sticky stuff and not harm paint or plastic surfaces. Paint thinner (mineral spirits) is easy on factory paint also to clean the surface.
 
#17 ·
Keep your eye on the tank or you may have a family of mice up there eating the peanut butter and loving it ! :roll:
 
#20 ·
Buncha Doubting Thomases on here.

Peanut Butter flat worx.

And if I tell ya a meat hog weighs 300 lbs?

Buy it. The meat's there.


~Gnarly

Brer Bill says Infancy was so much fun, he is now looking forward to Adultery.