Removing safety stripe on trailer

[john11139]

I have a 18' trailer that I would like to repaint and parts of the safety stripe is pretty tore up. How is the easiest way to completely remove all the stick on safety reflective striping? Can I use a 80 grit sander on it or will it just smear the glue from the heat?

 

[ejabour]

I'd use a heat gun to soften it up and then try to peel it off.

I have a 18' trailer that I would like to repaint and parts of the safety stripe is pretty tore up. How is the easiest way to completely remove all the stick on safety reflective striping? Can I use a 80 grit sander on it or will it just smear the glue from the heat?

 

[JRC3]

I'd say heat gun too. And acetone for the goo, probably degloss the paint but who cares, gonna get repainted.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

^^^^ exactly. Then use solvent to remove the goo residue.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

^^^^ exactly. Then use solvent to remove the goo residue.

^^^^ Right!!!

 

[lis2323]

If it is true conspicuity reflective tape and not a cheap imitation, you will probably be best sanding it off if you are planning to repaint.

The above heat gun/adhesive solvents won’t work.


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[Pruittx2]

auto body stores sell a rubber wheel you put in a drill,,, or cut off tool. when it spins and you apply pressue on the stripe, it will fly right off,,, glue and all.

Sanding or grinding will have you sealing and priming and painting ect.

 

[lis2323]

I have one of those wheels. Works well on vinyl etc. conspicuity tape is tougher.

I might give it a try for the OP later.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

3M bristle pad

 

[cadunkle]

auto body stores sell a rubber wheel you put in a drill,,, or cut off tool. when it spins and you apply pressue on the stripe, it will fly right off,,, glue and all.

Sanding or grinding will have you sealing and priming and painting ect.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072T66N3P/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Works well but maybe just as well to use traditional abrasive tools since it's a metal trailer to be painted. Works great for pinstripes and decals on gelcoat.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would try a wire wheel on angle grinder ,razor scraper if needed and acetone

 

[Abeo]

Previous owner put on conspicuous tape on my motorcycle swingarm, a heat gun loosened the adhesive and I was able to get all of the tape off and most of the adhesive. The adhesive is gnarly, so I had to soak it with brake clean (I agree with the acetone suggestion)

 

[greg13]

I just use a razor blade. It will scrape right off, if you scratch the paint no problem since you are repainting it anyway. If the razor blade doesn't take it, a wire cup brush on a grinder will.

 

[JRC3]

I wonder if this works every time or if that safety tape was just super weathered.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Use a heat gun and a scraper, than WD-40 to remove excess residue. When prepping a body panel if you don't remove the glue from a pinstripe the sander will smear it and make a royal mess, trust me I've done it, so I imagine the same would happen with that.

 

[john11139]

I have tried all methods here and I thought their might be a easier way. Plan on priming trailer ant then painting it. Would it come off a little faster if I used a torch sparingly? I hate the glue residue that clogs your sanding disc and using solvent to get it off

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Any of the aforementioned heatgun or scraping methods will be OK, but instead of using something aggressive like acetone or petroleum based like WD40 which will cause fisheyes if you dont get it 100% clean, I'd suggest using what body shops use, silicone and adhesive remover or something like Prep Sol.

Tommy