Removing lettering from truck doors?

[averagef250]

Recently purchased an 83 F350 in fair condition for a backup vehicle. Price was hard to turn down, knew the entire history of the truck. Only downside to the truck is it has business lettering painted on the doors from 1983. The truck is white, the letting is pink and baby blue. Not really my colors. I put a little laquer on a rag and rubbed some of the lettering off, it's not on the truck as good as the factory paint, but it's not coming right off either. Anyone ever have suggestions for removing this lettering while salvaging the paint underneath?

[Montana71-F100]

You can find good instruction here:
http://www.learn2paintsigns.com/How_to_ ... ering.html

[cep62]

Try EZ Off oven cleaner
spray it on and scrape it off with a "new" bondo spreader.
rinse it with water and I'd plan on running a buffer over it when you're done.

[Tinman]

I've done this on a few vehicles over the years... I'd hit it with a buffer and some medium compound first, being careful to not burn through the surrounding/underlying white. You may as well buff the entire truck while you're at it, being sure to apply a good coat of wax after to protect the paint.

Use solvents only as a last resort as you have a much greater chance of ruining the surrounding finish!

[Thunderfoot]

Try EZ Off oven cleaner
spray it on and scrape it off with a "new" bondo spreader.
rinse it with water and I'd plan on running a buffer over it when you're done.

Done this with race car lettering before and it works pretty good, might take a couple of applications

[71 LONG BED]

Yes the oven cleaner works great, but....if the lettering has been there for a long time, the paint under it won't be as faded as the rest of the truck and you'll still be able to read what it used to say. Maybe white won't be as bad as the blue truck I used to have with a plumbers info permanently readable on the side of the bed.

[Doug F]

Also, don't use the lemon scented EZ off... It doesn't work as well. As a sign painter, I know.

[averagef250]

Cool, Thanks guys. I'll pick some up and let you know how it goes.

[Doug F]

Spray it on and watch as the lettering ribbons up, then you can wipe it off with a bunch of paper towels, or a firm plastic object that you can throw away. Also safety... WEAR GOOD rubber gloves!!! This stuff WILL BURN you and melt regular rubber gloves.

For Vinyl lettering, the best product is 3M Vinyl Woodgrain and Stripe remover, sold by auto body supply places and I can get it too. It is pricey, but in seconds you can strip lettering that has been baked on and old. It has a harder time with reflective though.