Removing tank stickers

[cruiser]

Has anyone managed to remove the stickers on their fuel tank? I've started to remove mine but I'm getting nowhere fast, even after warming them with a hair drier

[rdsmith3]

It takes patience. I used a hair dryer and an old credit card to scrape them off. I think the tank looks better without any stickers.

[cruiser]

Thanks Bob - I'll try the credit card approach!

[wncbmw]

What Bob said. The only use I have had for a hair dryer in years is sticker removal!

Expect some residual glue for the first couple of wash/wax cycles but it is worth the effort I think.

[challey]

I removed mine with a plastic scraper (the kind used for cleaning oven stones) and WD-40. Took a bit of patient scraping and pretty liberal use of WD-40 which turns out to be an excellent solvent that does not adversely effect the finish.

Charlie

[cbesey]

I've been wanting to do this for a while but have hesitated. My silver RR has 50K miles and shows it, I've been concerned that once they're gone I might see some sort of ghosting once I reveal the virgin surface below the stickers. Any thoughts as to whether that concern is warranted?

As for getting the gunk off, try Goo Gone. It'll clean everything off first try - did wonders when pulling some big stickers of my other bike.

Chris

[NK ED]

WD-40 a soft rag and a little time. I needed to use my fingernail every now and again but both stickers came off with no scratches or dulling of finish. Take your time. I think the bike looks a whole lot better without them.
2004 silver R

[Byrdguy]

Hey, Vann, What kind of windscreen is that on your bike, and where can I ger one. Looks great.

[iowabeakster]

byrdguy,

Vann painted the BMW Speedster screen with flat black spray paint. You can read his comments on this thread. I liked it so much, I did the same thing. I'm a copy-cat.

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... &sk=t&sd=a

About the stickers, I removed them from my Dark Ferro bike, which had many stickers. I used fingernails and a credit card. It takes patience. The real pain is the warning sticker about the ABS. That one took several months until I got it all. The goo came off easy with turtle wax.

[cruiser]

The real pain is the warning sticker about the ABS. That one took several months until I got it all

THAT'S the one I'm having trouble with - sticker is not the word! It's the only sticker on my German registered bike

[Rockster1150]

Ok, i am an Aussie,. We have this tree over here, and we produce this oil from this tree. It clears a blocked nose instantly, amoung other uses I can't remember right now. But to remove the residue from stickers without damaging paint is the totally best in my opinion. I even use it on my matt black painted Rockster to remove those rain and dirt soaked in marks too.
See: Eucalyptus Oil.
Koalas eat the leaves of this tree and get really whacked from them, and you guys just thought they were lazy and sleepy animals, didn't you!
I am sure it will be availiable somewhere where you are, if not I have just found a new export market, hehe.

[jeremell]

+1 on the WD-40 and hair dryer and patience. It worked on the ABS sticker.

[ruddy]

Ok, i am an Aussie,. We have this tree over here, and we produce this oil from this tree. It clears a blocked nose instantly, amoung other uses I can't remember right now. But to remove the residue from stickers without damaging paint is the totally best in my opinion. I even use it on my matt black painted Rockster to remove those rain and dirt soaked in marks too.
See: Eucalyptus Oil.
Koalas eat the leaves of this tree and get really whacked from them, and you guys just thought they were lazy and sleepy animals, didn't you!
I am sure it will be availiable somewhere where you are, if not I have just found a new export market, hehe.

I second this. Here in the States, we have a product called "Goo Gone" that uses eucalyptus oil as a main ingredient. It does a great job of removing sticker glue residue w/o harming the paint. You may have to rub a bit with a soft rag.

[shake1150]

i removed mine with a hair dryer and patience. used goo gone to get rid of the residue.
the tank looks MUCH better without them. I'll try to post some pics later on.

[ruddy]

The tank stickers had already been removed when I bought my bike, and I like the cleaner look as well.

[Kazushi]

The side stickers come off easy, took me about 15 minutes for both sides, no discoloration no marks...




It's that stupid warning sticker under the gas cap I haven't managed to get rid off...

Ride Safe

[cbesey]

This thread finally gave me the gumption and I removed the tank side stickers this weekend. It took about 15 min/side with only a tired fingernail to show for it. Goo Gone took the residue off in seconds.

And man it looks pretty!

Now to try the ABS sticker...