Hints on De-Identifying Vehicles

[Tom DeFrancesco]

I have to de-identify 10 ambulances and want to see if anyone has experience on doing this other than utilizing just a heat gun. Does anyone sell some amazing chem to help with the process ?

[Russ Johnson]

You have to get the sticker off manually, then use d'limonene to remove the residue.

[Scott Stone]

AUtobody shops have a tool that attaches to a drill motor that actually takes the stickers off.You still have to use Dlimonene though.

[Paul Kassander]

Heat gun (carefully) and Dlimonene after for the residue. If they are really faded around the stickers...a buffer.

[Tom DeFrancesco]

Thank you gentleman. I was praying there was a much faster way. It is almost Christmas you know......lol

[Wayne S.]

http://www.signwarehouse.com/TT-VR-p-HT-BE1000.html
http://www.signwarehouse.com/TT-VR-p-HT-STPELM.html

Here is two links to what the sign shops use. We used plastic razor blades and heat when we was doing vinyl work. What ever you do, DO NOT use heat on the glass, or you will crack it. (Especially in cold weather.) If you need help, you can call me. 931-362-4573, 931338-7367.

[Tom DeFrancesco]

Thanks Wayne. I just put your number in my binder. I will be doing the first truck tomorrow and will see how it goes. Got a chem from A1-Hydro that works amazing on taking the glue off. I will keep you posted.

[Tom DeFrancesco]

Well I have done the first three and they came out perfectly. I used 220 deg water to remove the vinyl then Tarclean CW2 from A1 Hydro to remove the adhesive. Simply sprayed on with pump up and let dwell for 15 min and rinsed with 220 deg water. Came off without one ounce of rubbing. Worked like magic. I will attempt to post pics.

[Tom DeFrancesco]

Sorry, cannoy figure out how to change the KB size. Says to big.

[Richard]

This thread seems to be the best place to insert a thank you.

The vinyl on a 24 ft straight truck was removed.But the oxidation left the ghosting in a bad way.I saw a post from Paul Kassander saying he likes to talk.Although I've never called anyone on these boards before I decided it was time.So I called to get advice from someone who has years of handes on experiance.He confirmed what I didn't want to hear.Buff it.

Nice to know you can phone someone and they'll help out.Maybe next time I won't be quite so reserved in thinking I'm being a pane in the..

Paul Kassander THANK YOU.

And now back to the regular schedualed thread.

[Rick Arrese]

Just a quick question guys, how do you find d-ID jobs, how much you charge?

[Paul Kassander]

Talk to your local dealers, truck leasing companies and trailer sales/leasing.

As far as what to charge...way to many variables to figure. Your best bet is to guess how long it will take you and figure your hourly rate and chem cost, then add 10-20% fudge factor.

[Tom DeFrancesco]

Here are some before pics,

[Tom DeFrancesco]

Here are the after pics.

[Tom DeFrancesco]

Paul as far as pricing I pretty much agree with you the only thing I would like to add is that if you discover a faster way such as I did, DO NOT lower your price. Your speed and efficiency is where a good part of your profit is made. I will not post what I am charging (individually I will if you need help bidding) but I will tell you it is the going rate for this area and I found this out by calling several Lettering and Sign companies. Keep in mind Rick, reflective lettering is more difficult and could be more time consuming.
Since doing these three I have landed an additional account for 20 more vehicles. I will post pics of some of the others.