Print Page - How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?

TAC Tech => Exterior => Topic started by: NITEBIRD on October 29, 2025, 01:22:21 PM

Title: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: NITEBIRD on October 29, 2025, 01:22:21 PM: I have some old Trans Am decals on my 1979 Trans Am SE. How do I remove the od decals and not totally destroy the paint beneath them so I can install new ones? I am thinking about just using a hair dryer to apply some heat and try to peel them off with a razor blade but I am not sure if a hair dryer would apply enough heat.

I am nervous about using a razor blade but I am thinking if I just keep it flat to work the edges of the decal up off the surface I can peel them away by hand then I should be ok?

Any suggestions or tips are welcome and thanks!
Title: Re: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: FormTA on October 29, 2025, 02:16:34 PM: I was wondering about this too. At one point I wanted too remove my hood bird as i kind screwed iotr up in a couple places. But decided it wasn't worth screwing up my perfect paint. I'm interested to see iff others have had successfully removed them before..
Title: Re: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: NITEBIRD on October 29, 2025, 07:40:49 PM: Quote from: FormTA on October 29, 2025, 02:16:34 PM
I was wondering about this too. At one point I wanted too remove my hood bird as i kind screwed iotr up in a couple places. But decided it wasn't worth screwing up my perfect paint. I'm interested to see iff others have had successfully removed them before..

Yes my hood bird is most likely the original and has alot of "patina" in it and the other decals are also just old and worn most likely the original.
Title: Re: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: aussieta on October 29, 2025, 11:17:13 PM: try the hairdryer and a plastic scraper, aka windscreen ice scraper or old credit card
there is a device called a caramel wheel, not sure how it would go on something as large as hoodbird
Title: Re: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: 81Blackbird on October 30, 2025, 02:52:08 AM: I had luck with Mineral Spirits. Get an edge stated and spray a little where you lifted the decal off the paint. Some heat from a hair dryer will help. Start on the low setting first. Medium should to the trick. No razor blade. Plastic scraper as mentioned should help it along nicely.

mineral spirits will not dull the paint.
Title: Re: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: Wallington on October 30, 2025, 04:01:44 AM: Once softened and starting to lift, pull it back on itself like masking tape, don't pull up or it'll take paint with it.
Title: Re: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: Warren Seale on October 31, 2025, 08:47:06 AM: Quote from: 81Blackbird on October 30, 2025, 02:52:08 AM
I had luck with Mineral Spirits. Get an edge stated and spray a little where you lifted the decal off the paint. Some heat from a hair dryer will help. Start on the low setting first. Medium should to the trick. No razor blade. Plastic scraper as mentioned should help it along nicely.

Did the mineral spirits dull the paint? I've used paint thinner to remove unwanted undercoat and found that it would eventually remove the lacquer paint. It wasn't aggressive like paint remover.
Title: Re: How to remove old decals from paint on my 1979 TA/SE?
Post by: highway star on November 09, 2025, 07:54:01 PM: My experience, when I had my TA painted, 1st repaint so it had the original decals, they took the hood down to the metal to get the bird off.