What is the easiest way to remove woodgrain tailband tape.

[smorg007]

I've made the decision to re-do my own woodgrain tailgate band. I've ordered the woodgrain tape from Cheyenne Super-Man. I will hopefully re-use my own metal letters. My question is what would be the best way to remove the old woodgrain tape. Is their a chemical that penetrates the 38 yr old tape and dissolves it enough to be removed with scrapping and scratching the original surface. I have a another band that's in bad shape that I can practice on. Any help or suggestions from those who have done this is appreciated. Thanks

[71blksuper4x4]

try spraying some penetrating oil and a razor blade, or 3m makes a woodgrain removal spray. Trevor

[smorg007]

I wonder if regular gel type paint remover would work. Out to the garage I go.

[Zoomin]

Give Goof-off a try. Available nearly everywhere.
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[DesertCat]

I dealt with tons of woodgrain in the 70's-80's... start with a heat gun. Don't get it too hot, work a little at a time and pull it off. It works.

Then use tar and bug remover for the adhesive. Not fun but really it's the fastest and easiest way.

Good luck!

[7T2]

For removing the adhesive residue, I've found that most products like "goof-off" work well, but only work for a short period of time. You spray it on, then wipe off the adhesive before it gets sticky again. If you let it sit the remover seems to evaporate and the adhesive gets sticky again. I've found it best to spray a little area, get it all clean, then move to then next spot. Sparying it all at once thinking it will saturate the adhesive turns out to be a waste of money. It's not something to let set overnight, or even a couple of minutes. Something like WD-40 might work that way though.

[70shortfleet]

Originally Posted by DesertCat

I dealt with tons of woodgrain in the 70's-80's... start with a heat gun. Don't get it too hot, work a little at a time and pull it off. It works.

Then use tar and bug remover for the adhesive. Not fun but really it's the fastest and easiest way.

Good luck!

[sameyrasmea72]

I would stay away from real harsh chemicals. I am not positive but I think the aluminum is coated or anodized like the grill.

[bikerbuck]

Ive been removing 20 year old decals and you name it for years. The only and best way to remove without damaging under surface with not that much effort is to use a eraser wheel. Put it on a drill and go to town. It takes a little time depending on how big of area your doing but very good results.I get mine at Napa auto parts.Ill try and find a part #.

[brad_man_72]

termites!

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by bikerbuck

Ive been removing 20 year old decals and you name it for years. The only and best way to remove without damaging under surface with not that much effort is to use a eraser wheel. Put it on a drill and go to town. It takes a little time depending on how big of area your doing but very good results.I get mine at Napa auto parts.Ill try and find a part #.

that's what I was thinkin', I think Eastwood sells one

[67/72junkie]

the heat gun does very well on the tape.I used a couple cotton ball and lacquer thinner to clean of most of the glue.I even removed the black paint the same way.I polished and cleaned the trim first .Then repainted the black and added the wood grain.

[72 tigger]

Heat gun seems to work well on old decals

[gringoloco]

Just did this today on a couple of pieces of trim. Leave 'em out in the sun for a while, and the woodgrain will peel off in one piece, leaving very little residue. What is left is eaten away easily by acetone. I found this out after scraping and goof-offing another piece. Waaaay easier to let it get hot first...

[VA72C10]

Anyone have a secret to putting the woodgrain back on with the letters on

I really don't want to take them off

[smorg007]

Hi Jonathan,

That would be a quite the feat and I would like to see a step by step photo of that process. I'm glad I kept my original band and replaced the woodgrain tape, because it came out better than I expected. I now have a whole set of new unused letters and clips to sell since I re-used my own metal letters The old tape came off in one easy piece using a blow dryer and patience.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by smorg007

Hi Jonathan,

That would be a quite the feat and I would like to see a step by step photo of that process. I'm glad I kept my original band and replaced the woodgrain tape, because it came out better than I expected. I now have a whole set of new unused letters and clips to sell since I re-used my own metal letters The old tape came off in one easy piece using a blow dryer and patience.

Nice job. I just scored a super nice band off ebay for $30 shipped to me It was black painted but it's faded. The letters are chromed metal and in good shape and the overall band is still shiny and the outer black is perfect.

So did you drill out the backs and then epoxy to re-attach the letters? Any advice is appreciated. I already have the new tape to use and a matching set for lower moldings so I can put together a super nice set.

[tim21391]

i just used a razor blade and laquer thinner on mine

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by smorg007

I'm glad I kept my original band and replaced the woodgrain tape, because it came out better than I expected. I now have a whole set of new unused letters and clips to sell since I re-used my own metal letters The old tape came off in one easy piece using a blow dryer and patience.

Hey your gate turned out super! You want to sell those extra letters? are they metal or plastic? thanks

[smorg007]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Nice job. I just scored a super nice band off ebay for $30 shipped to me It was black painted but it's faded. The letters are chromed metal and in good shape and the overall band is still shiny and the outer black is perfect.

So did you drill out the backs and then epoxy to re-attach the letters? Any advice is appreciated. I already have the new tape to use and a matching set for lower moldings so I can put together a super nice set.

My band must have been a reproduction or at least my letters were at one time or another because they were attached with the same push on type clips that was in the package with the replacement metal letters that I bought from GMC Pauls. These clips were available at my local Ace Hardware Store.
The difference for me was my letters has the GM part numbers cast in them and I had no reason not to re-use them. I was anticipating having to drill out the posts on my band so that's why I bought the replacement letters before removing my band, otherwise I would have noticed how they were attached and would not have bought the ones I did.
Sorry my story can't help you.

[smorg007]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Hey your gate turned out super! You want to sell those extra letters? are they metal or plastic? thanks

mcbassin,
Letters are metal with round circular push on clips for attachment to the band. GMCPauls part number is 381656, I paid $59.95 plus tax and shipping = $82.25. I'm gonna call and see if I can return them, don't know if there is a restocking fee or not either. The letters are individually in their own plastic sealed bags and the clips in another then everything in another plastic sealed bag. I opened the outer bag to compare the letters to mine. Depending on what I learn will determine which way I go. Have a great day.