When an artist is touching up a masterpiece painting, the last thing on his mind as he nears completion is how he can scrape all of the paint away from his canvas. The same is true for a wrap installer; however, some cases require the removal of vinyl graphics – the wrapper’s artwork, in a sense – after a certain period of time.

As applied vinyl ages, the adhesive backing can gradually become weaker, making it susceptible to peeling away. In addition, the printed graphics can dull-out, leaving a less-than-sharp-looking image on the vehicle, especially when subjected to harsh weather conditions that can also cause vinyl cracking. Or perhaps a client’s logo and brand name have been redesigned, triggering a need for new wraps on a fleet of delivery trucks to reflect the changes. All of these examples and more will require the removal of graphics at some level.

So what’s the best method to pursue during removal?

ZAP! IT’S GONE
As vinyl graphics become more popular across many different applications, there is an increasing need to remove them. For that reason, specific tools have been introduced to assist in the process, one of which is the MBX Vinyl Zapper.

“It’s very easy to operate,” says Chuck Lockard, president/owner of MONTIPOWER, creator of the product. “You can be an expert in less than five minutes. It basically takes a lousy job and makes it an easy job by reducing labor by about 75 percent.”

Sure, other tools such as knives, cutting devices, various scrapers and even one’s own fingers have been used for removal; however, the Zapper provides added advantages. According to Lockard, the benefit of using the Vinyl Zapper is that it exudes very little heat so the vinyl’s adhesive does not smear like it might using other methods. In addition, the paint underneath the vinyl is left unharmed, and damage to the surface is avoided, which is important to most wrap clients. The tool’s peeling motion allows for a gentler process than sanding or similar abrasive techniques.

“The tool’s rubber fingers rotate forward and grab the edge of the vinyl and peel it from the surface,” says Lockard, though he admits that there will be certain parts of the wrap that will require a combination of manually peeling and using the tool because of the ability to reach under the vinyl and physically pull it up. However, the Zapper “will take off about 90 percent of the adhesive, then you can go back and take the rest off with vinyl eraser or adhesive remover.”

According to the manufacturer, a few steps must be followed when using the tool. First, keep some extra eraser wheels on hand to replace the worn “rubber fingers” after 60 to 90 minutes of use. Users can maximize their work by applying only light pressure when using the tool and working on flat surfaces without tilting the Zapper. Work primarily on the edges of the vinyl and move in a side-to-side motion. If used effectively, “35 to 50 square feet of vinyl can be removed per hour” from metal, glass or fiberglass surfaces, says Lockard.

In addition to wraps, the Zapper can be used on vinyl lettering, safety stickers, double-sided tape and adhesive left behind from emblems.

“It doesn’t make any difference if it’s old or new vinyl, reflective or not, or if it’s hot or cold outside; [the tool] takes all that stuff off in a heartbeat,” says Lockard.

HEAT FOR LIFT OFF
Heat seems to be the one element that can constantly control the characteristics of vinyl film. Whether an installer needs it to rid the vinyl of wrinkles or if it’s necessary to soften the film to begin removal, heat remains essential. The right amount of heat can come from a number of different sources.

Nathan Engelke, CEO/owner of Snap Graphics, says that back when his company was doing massive wrap removals, he asked for advice from other shops. “The only thing we bought was a big flame thrower,” he says. “It worked well when it was cold out.”

For others, heat guns, torches or other pieces of equipment are used. “We have a strong reason to advocate the use of a heat lamp tree,” says Roger Bailey, owner of Rapid Tac Inc. “We find a heat lamp tree will heat up a surface uniformly at 200 degrees for a couple minutes. The process softens the vinyl and helps release the vinyl from the adhesive. It allows for an easier technique rather than a heat gun.”

Of course, there are a variety of vinyl films on the market and each wrapper uses the one with which he’s most comfortable. If a wrap shop owner has inherited a removal job that he didn’t initially install, he may not know what kind of vinyl was used for the job. And since all vinyl will react differently when exposed to heat, it’s sometimes hard to know how much heat is the right amount. For that reason, Engelke says he likes to first start peeling off the vinyl to see how it will react.

Says Bailey: “Vinyl manufacturers put the adhesive on the film in a channeling pattern, but I don’t think it really changes the effect it has when it sits on the car’s surface for a year or two.”

That’s when technique can play a role in removal; the goal being to pull off as much adhesive with the vinyl as possible. It’s widely debated upon which angle is the correct one in which to pull the vinyl from its surface. Engelke admits that, “sometimes when you pull at a 90 degree angle, it comes off better and doesn’t leave glue behind.” However, he says a 90-degree pull may not work in some instances, “then you go 180 degrees and it could leave no glue. After a while, you just get it.”

As subjective as Engelke presents the situation, Al Letson of Graphic F/X LLC is quite convinced with his method. “When removing, it is best to pull the vinyl at about a 25 degree angle from the vehicle,” he says. “Doing this will help release the adhesive clean, leaving little residue.”

Obviously, there is more than one opinion on the matter; all intelligently supported. But it seems Engelke sums up the heat and lift situation best by saying, “removals are all about temperature and at the angle you pull. Find the right level of heat and angle.”

SOLUTION IN A BOTTLE, PART I
When West End Products co-owner Dennis Lasik put the final touches on his Vinyl-Off product for graphics removal, he had to make sure it would work as intended for real-life applications. That’s when he started checking around the wraps industry.

“He asked if we wanted to try it out; if it would help us,” says Engelke. Essentially, Vinyl-Off is a liquid product – applied with a pad, sponge, brush or rag — made to penetrate the vinyl surface and reduce the adhesive’s strength. After a set amount of time, the vinyl can be pulled away from the surface manually, allowing for the removal of large vinyl pieces along with the adhesive.Snap Graphics learned all of this and more early on.

“The Vinyl-Off worked well,” says Engelke. “It’s not like you spray it on and it falls off, but it helps.”

A benefit to the product is that no direct heat is needed via a torch or heat gun to remove the vinyl. Letson, another user of the product, says he simply wipes it on, lets it sit for 15 minutes, and then starts removing.

According to Engelke, if the process is done in warm weather conditions, the product can be applied and then pulled off in the sun’s heat. “If it’s a hot enough day,” he says, “you shouldn’t need a torch.” Letson, on the other hand, is bold enough to use Vinyl-Off even in cold weather, saying he’s removed graphics in 40 degree-below-zero conditions. “Temperature is always an issue when dealing with vinyl graphics in the extreme cold,” he explains. “It may be necessary to pre-heat before applying Vinyl-Off then letting it sit for 15 minutes then re-applying the Vinyl-Off and re-heating to remove the vinyl. This extra step is what helps with product saturation.”

New and old vinyl alike can be removed with the product as cracking and tearing is avoided. Leston says that when used properly, Vinyl-Off will take the vinyl and rejuvenate it to a pliable state like it is new again, making it much easier to handle. On the flip side, he notes a disadvantage to the product as being less effective on reflective vinyl material due to the inability to penetrate or soften it to help with removal.

However, a big advantage to Vinyl-Off is that it has biodegradable characteristics, making it possible to be “washed off without having to use a reclamation system for the water,” according to Leston.

Another positive is that the product takes most of the adhesive with it. However, Engelke says that sometimes adhesive residue remains, depending upon what kind of vinyl is used. “With the cheap film versus [other leading versions], you’d see a difference,” says Engelke.

SOLUTION IN A BOTTLE, PART II
For those dealing with overly aggressive leftover adhesive, West End Products has developed another product to combat the sticky residue — Adhesive-Off. Not only does it do the job, but Engelke also notes the benefits of its non-toxic composition.

“Xylene is used a lot by people [for adhesive removal] but it’s bad for you,” he says. “You probably shave five years off your life with it. Usually most non-toxic products don’t work but this Adhesive-Off is one of West End’s best products. And it’s not toxic or chemically structured, so it’s a lot more pleasant to work with.”

Rapid Tac’s non-toxic answer to adhesive removal is a product called Rapid Tac Remover. “When you pull the vinyl up,” says Bailey, “you spray the adhesive with our Rapid Tac Remover.” Fast-acting, it takes 30 to 60 seconds for the spray to breakdown the adhesives. Bailey is quick to point out that the ability of the product to breakdown the adhesive is what sets it apart. “Other products soften the adhesive but they don’t break it down,” he says, so when a person tries to rub the adhesive off, they essentially smear it across the vehicle. “My product takes out the sticky tack right away.”

Bailey suggests to initially spray Rapid Tac Remover on heavily but not in a wasteful manner. Then after waiting the suggested short time period, a squeegee can be used to push the adhesive off the surface.

“Remember,” Bailey warns, “don’t leave it on a painted surface for more than six minutes because at about seven minutes it dulls the paint by opening its pores.”

Because the product is water-soluble, it can be rinsed with water when the remover has been left on the car’s surface for the maximum amount of time.

“Do a three-by-three-foot area is what I suggest,” says Bailey, “then move to the next area. Use the squeegee, then deactivate it with water. After that, spray the area lightly with remover again and wipe it with a cloth.”

Of course, the process sounds simple enough, but does it really work as well as advertised? Bailey nods in affirmation.

“With just that procedure you’d be amazed at how much time it saves,” he says. “One person told me it took 17 hours to remove the vinyl on one side of an RV [without the product]. They did the entire other side in four hours using Rapid Tac Remover. That’s so much more reasonable when you’re charging people hourly.”

PRICING POINTS
The consensus seems to confirm that charging hourly for vinyl removal is the way to go. However, there is no textbook guide to pricing wrap removals. “You never know how much removal will cost because it’s a tough one to figure,” says Engelke. According to Leston, older graphics can take up to a few hours to remove but with newer vinyl – applied less than five years ago – the removal time falls to 30 minutes to an hour for a full wrap.

Several steps can be taken to help estimate a price for graphics removal:

Survey the vehicle. “Sometimes you can peel some vinyl back and you know that this is Avery film, or maybe this is 3M,” says Engelke, “and you can pull off a little just as a gauge of what you’re getting into.” If the surface was re-painted, contains rust or incurred damage, the removal will require a more careful approach.

Remember the costs you incur. “The costs associated with a removal are minimal for the graphics remover,” says Letson. “You have propane, [a removal spray], Xylene or other cleaner, paper towels, a sponge or roller for applying.”

Include variable costs in the price. For example, Letson says “mileage or a fuel surcharge may be added to cover the rising fuel costs,” if you need to drive out to a customer’s location.

Be confident in your work. “The cost for the customer is very reasonable especially for the security of having it done properly by a professional,” says Letson.

When in doubt, charge hourly. “Usually we charge hourly, you could have a removal that’s easy and take an hour or the same amount of vinyl [that takes longer],” says Engelke.

Letson suggests that if a shop owner is charging hourly, $25 per hour is a fair price. If one chooses to charge per square foot, as some shops do, give an estimate of $1.75 per square foot. Either way, be sure you’re making money when removing a wrap. After all, this was once yours or one of your fellow wrappers beautifully installed wraps — why would you ever want to pay someone to deconstruct your own work of art? Price the job wisely and take the necessary steps.

IN TRANSIT WRAPS
In 2007, vinyl manufacturer MACtac, Stow, Ohio, partnered with Santa Monica, Calif.-based Portraits of Hope to provide graphics to New York City taxi cabs through the Garden in Transit endeavor (see Wraps January/February page 34 to read more). The project, which coincided with the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the New York City taxi cab, helped children overcome difficult circumstances and aimed at building their self-esteem through public artistic expression. About 23,000 children helped decorate the colorful wraps.

At the end of 2007, the project officially concluded — although some taxi drivers chose to keep their floral-patterned wraps until well into 2008. As Garden in Transit winded down, MACtac formulated a plan of how to remove the graphics; creating a removal guide that has been translated into 12 different languages to assist with the removal process.

During the program’s run, MACtac Marketing Communications Specialist Jennifer Bowman said, “Our IMAGin B-free vinyl lived up to the expected standards during the four-week launch. [I] anticipate an easy, effective removal process, which is sometimes a part of graphics application that is neglected, but is just as important.”

1. Using heat is the simplest and safest way to remove graphics from an automobile. If you have access to an industrial heat gun (a hair dryer does not get hot enough), work in small areas and heat the graphics to about 180°F (wear gloves to protect your hands from the heat), and simply pull them off at a 180° angle. They will pull off very easily. If the graphic becomes hard to pull, simply add more heat.

2. If you do not have access to an industrial heat gun, you will have to remove the graphic as is. This will be harder. Carefully pull a corner and slowly peel the graphic off the car at a 180° angle. It is critical you pull the graphic back upon itself at this angle. If you do not, you will risk pulling paint off the car, especially in areas where the car has been previously damaged and/or repainted.

3. Once all the graphics have been pulled off, check for any adhesive residue. While this product is designed to pull off cleanly with heat, some slight residue may exist and must be cleaned off. Use a rag dampened with kerosene, mineral spirits, Naphtha or alcohol (Goo-Gone also works well) to remove the remaining adhesive residue. Follow this with a wash with detergent and water.