Can we talk about using a heat gun on old decals before you sand?

I was working on a 1998 Ford Ranger bed with factory pinstripes that were baked on, and my boss told me to just sand them off. After an hour of slow going, I grabbed my heat gun on low and warmed a small section for about 30 seconds, and the vinyl peeled right up with a plastic scraper. Has anyone else found a better way to deal with this kind of stuck-on trim without messing up the clear coat?

3 comments

3 Comments

luna5192mo ago

Heat guns can sometimes mess up the paint though.

victorcoleman1mo ago

Nah, low heat wont haze clear unless you hold it too long in one spot.

danielh812mo ago

My buddy's clear coat got hazy just from a heat gun on low. That paint is way too old to take the heat.