old signwriting

[Nate]

before i had it, my van was signwritten with stickers. you can clearly see where they used to be, and it's annoying me. i tried with t-cut by hand, then 3m perfectit and finesseit with a machine, but it's still there :'(

any suggestions from you bodywork gurus what i can do to remove it? can't afford to paint it, although i know that's probably the easiest way

[Risocco]

What machine did you use? Think your gonna need a heavy cut compound like fast cut if you have access to 3M products.

[Tim_R]

Vinyl wrap it!

[essextom]

try some farecla g3, its a more course compound, use a mop (electric buffer) with a decent sponge head and be carefull not to burn the paint (get the mop sponge wet before use and keep it damp, also watch the edges of the mop). then use one of the softer black mop heads with the 3m finesse. should do the job.

[Nate]

Vinyl wrap it!

was actually considering some graphics or hi-viz markings to hide some of the rust spots on the sides

[Nate]

What machine did you use? Think your gonna need a heavy cut compound like fast cut if you have access to 3M products.

it's just an ebay cheapy. looks identical to the sealey one. only got foam heads for it. would i be better with wool?

[essextom]

no dont use wool heads they get hot quickly and burn the paint. foam ones are good. you will be able to get softer heads from your local brown brothers or paint/bodyshop suppliers.

[Nate]

been shopping :)  spent half the morning traipsing round swindon trying to find polishing heads to fit my machine.  think i've fond out why it was so cheap!  it's not either 5/8unf or m14 thread, but some weird oddball thread.  managed to find some cheapies that are entirely plastic (no metal thread insert) that will force onto it  ::)

got a nice firm one (snigger) and a very soft one.  been over it with some autoglym paint renovator and the firm pad, then some autosmart polish and the soft one, and most of the writing has gone and so have all the swirly marks :)  it's never going to look perfect without some paint, but big improvement.  wishing i'd done some 'before' photos now!

thanks guys :)

[The Autoad]

2000 grit wet and dry paper used wet should remove any residue from the transfers and cut the paint back that has been faded by the environment around the graphics. If 2000 does not do it, drop to 1500 grit.

Then machine polish with liquid compund G3 and a compund mop head (spray some water on the panel, but don't drench it) until the flatting marks have been removed. Machine Mart do a good Sealey rotary polisher, but the mop heads MM supply are rubbish. The farecla mop heads are pretty good.

After a G3, give it a good polish.