Removing old decal from side covers

[micallen]

I want to repaint my side covers but first, I want to remove (what's left of) the old decal.  It's old and really cracked.  What's the best way to remove this so I can paint?

[cbRider]

I just got through taking mine off. I used a heat gun and heated them up lightly, be careful not to get them to hot or you could ruin the plastic. I scraped them off with the edge of a peace of hardwood. Don't use a metal scraper.

[micallen]

Man... that's exactly what I was trying to do at work today (just before the post) but our heat gun was dead.  You think a hair dryer would work??

[cbRider]

Yea, give the hairdryer a shot, you don't need all too much heat.

Karl

[Ray]

Try your wifes hairspray. It will curl it right off. ( the local cops got  new cars and they misspelled the city name). So they had to replace decals.

[MarkPBG]

If the heat method doesn't work, go to the auto body paint supply store in your area. They have a tool made for a drill that's about $10-20 which is basically like a big eraser on a stick. Spin it slowly and it erases decals without damaging paint….Like this….

http://paceperformance.com/i-7137057-ewt37023-vinyl-eraser-and-arbor.html

You can also use this tool to remove glue residue left over after anything glued on was removed.