How to remove decals from windshield?

[jaxbobg]

Sold my old trike and bought another. Trouble is, it has a couple of windshield decals that seem impossible to remove.

Can't find many threads about this. Tried Goo Gone, alcohol, and heating with a hair dryer. The problem seems to be that the plastic coating on the decal prevents solvents from reaching the adhesive.

I really don't want to risk scratching the windshield or making an opaque patch.

Any ideas from you long time riders?

 

[Keystone]

You've used all the technics that I would try.

 

[TwoBye]

Hot dish soap water and a "plastic" razor blade. Soak the decal over and over and over (repeat as needed) and scrap ever so slightly with the blade. Once the blade has scored the edge of the decal it will come off much easier. Take your time. I have spent an entire afternoon removing one decal.

 

[Ol' Man Jeb]

​I'd give WD40 a shot.

 

[Texan]

I once met a fellow that removed decals from his windshield by putting it in a chest type freezer. Left it in over night then used a plastic razor to removed them. Said it worked great......

8~\o

 

[rhino 2]

It's a slow process, Goo be gone, and let it soak in' rub a little then repeat...ect-ect-. Don't over work it, Let the Goo be Gone do the work....

Depending how long the stickers were on, They still might leave a slight patch... :Shrug:

 

[jaxbobg]

​I'd give WD40 a shot.

Thanks Jeb. Soaked a gauze pad with WD40 and put it on decal about 4 hours.
(Why does WD40 soften plastic? What's in that stuff?)

Haven't ever seen a plastic razor blade, but was able to get a corner loose with a plastic putty knife. After that it was soak and scrape.

It took awhile, but finally got the decal off then cleaned the last of the adhesive off with Goo Gone.

Thanks for the suggestions. Didn't try the freezer trick, though. Friend of mine owns a restaurant, so asked if I could ride the trike into his walk-in freezer. Needless to say, he wasn't amused. :Shrug:

 

[txlander]

Thanks Jeb. Soaked a gauze pad with WD40 and put it on decal about 4 hours.

(Why does WD40 soften plastic? What's in that stuff?)

Haven't ever seen a plastic razor blade, but was able to get a corner loose with a plastic putty knife. After that it was soak and scrape.

It took awhile, but finally got the decal off then cleaned the last of the adhesive off with Goo Gone.

Thanks for the suggestions. Didn't try the freezer trick, though. Friend of mine owns a restaurant, so asked if I could ride the trike into his walk-in freezer. Needless to say, he wasn't amused. :Shrug:

Hooray for the magic chemistry of WD-40. It has always worked for me. It is real good for dissolving the adhesive.

And I haven't seen damage on most surfaces. I have seen it soften rubber such as o-rings if left on too long. I think it is mostly fish oil.