Removing tape trim

[StanM]

The 16 year old "turtle" has tape trim in colors that are pretty outdated, besides which the edges are starting to raise.

Any advice on removing this kind of trim from flat fiberglass siding? The 'glass does not appear to be painted, and I suppose a heat gun could be applied judiciously, followed by Goo Gone. But is it worth the trouble?

Stan

 

[Sunline Fan]

Stan, I'm afraid if you do that, you'll probably have a shadow on the fiberglass behind. Unless you can get some decals made that would completely cover the old areas, I don't think you'd be able to clean it off.

Jon

 

[kanyonkitty]

Heat gun used cautiously for two reasons: surface damage and BURNT fingers (This warning is from "been there-dont that" )

I just removed the original pin striping from my '97 F-350 PSD. Had to use heat gun cautiously and then the tape wanted to come off in 1 or 2 inch increments, then followed up by Goo-Gone, you can also use a plastic putty knife to save some wear/tear on your fingers. I was luck and had no striping "shadow" left on my dark blue paint. But, that would not have been a real issue as I plan to "re-stripe" my truck when I find/see something I like.

Kitty

 

[StanM]

Jon, I'd not even thought about the shadow business. Crap! No doubt that on siding that old, you'd see something. Peggy talked a bit about painting the whole rig, but she has no idea what a project that'd be. I'm certain she doesn't have in mind anything like the trailer in the "poor Sunny" thread...

 

[vcrt]

I did that on a 92 Sunline with aluminum siding and I can tell you that adhesive is TOUGH!. After a while, I decided is was taking too long and since it was stuck on there so well, I might as well paint over it and then apply my striping. That worked for a few years, but now I notice that the sun is continuing it's work and making cracks on the sides of the camper. On the front, the sun has done what I was having so much trouble doing with a heat gun and a scraper, so I have some work to do there-again!
I'll tell you what, if the conditions ever come into existence in this country where it becomes viable to harness the power of the sun (i.e. probably someone would have to be able to make a profit on it) we'll all be better off for it (that profit thing worries me though).
Rich

 

[StanM]

All things considered, I think I'm leaving the tape for the forseeable future. Too many other fish to fry with this rig, like the nearly incomprehensible assortment of baggage compartment locks...

The guy we bought the MH from is a physician. Luckily he is an internist, not a surgeon. That's all I'm sayin'