How to remove labels from new primed TPO pieces

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:11 am
I'm working on the 3 pieces of bumper filler on a 1988 Chevy C1500. They are new primed TPO pieces that I was hoping to just scuff, seal, and shoot, but there are literally a half dozen labels on each piece that just shred when you try to peel them off. I tried a couple different solvents and the only thing they removed was the primer. I tried an eraser wheel and that just smeared the adhesive around, and a plastic razor blade got some of it, but there is still residue. Is there a way to remove the labels from these parts without removing the primer?

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:19 pm
Yeah, those things stink don't they? A pretty much universal adhesive remover is VMP Naphtha available at any hardware store usually in a quart can. It doesn't have to have the VMP as that is an old Varnish Makers and Painters terminology for the stuff. Soak the label a couple of times and it should come off without damaging the primer. Bad thing is....if it does damage the primer that's some cheap primer that you should be removing anyway.
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:00 pm
Also, if you are careful with a hairdryer or (very careful) with a heat gun, sometimes you get lucky and can heat up the label and slowly peel it off.



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PostPosted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:13 pm
Well, I tried water, and all the labels are gone, but all the adhesive is still there. At that point, I decided to move on to something else. I'll give the naptha a go tomorrow. I get what you guys are saying about the cheap primer, but how do I get it off without melting the plastic? I've read plenty of people saying to not use solvent based WGR on raw plastic, but that's what they would be if I wipe the primer off with lacquer thinner. I thought I'd be getting a good product by spending the money on the genuine GM parts, but apparently not.

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:37 pm
Just to clarify this... a solvent based wax/grease/remover does NOT contain a solvent mix like lacquer thinner. Regular wax/grease/removers have more of the less aggressive naphtha, mineral spirits, etc., type solvents that usually don't have time to attack the plastic. And again, I too, am not a big fan of just wiping off any weak primers with lacquer thinners as they can not only attack the plastic but actually contaminate it leaving a semi-tacky or even distorted surface. I usually will just end up sanding off those primers then do a wipe down with a water based wax/grease/remover. Those are made of simple alcohols/water mix.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 7:34 am
The naptha worked well for removing the adhesive without taking much of the primer with it. Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, the 2K aerospray clear I ordered from Eastwood spit and sputtered all over my work, so now I get to sand them down and redo. Oh well, more practice, right?

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:25 am
Yep, you chase your tail a lot in auto painting...... :flatten:
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