Removing decals from under lacquer

Anyone ever been sucessful in getting decals off when they've had a clear coat over them?? Just seen some guy on bike forums who did it to his Bianchi Pista with some paint stripper type stuff but that was in the states, doubt the same product would be easily found over here, or am i wrong???

Finding paintstripper is no problem. But I don't think you would want to be doing that when there is a clear coating involved. A bianchi is just plain chrome without coating as far as I know.

if you did that with the lacquer surely you'd just end up with patchy laquer on the frame... and that'd just look horrendous.

Ask Build, he did it with a flyer and it looks sweet.
Build:Flyer

Yeah Bianchis seem to have a clear laqeur over the decals, pain in the arse really. When ive seen it done though it ends up looking real nice so must be a trick to it somehow. Build???

There are two techniques:

1) Strip off the clearcoat. Either just over the decals or on the whole frame. Pretty much have to do the whole frame to get it to lock right. Can use a chemical striper like Jasco (not sure what the equivalent is here in the UK) or sandpaper. Can then peel off (whats left of - if sanding) decals and then reapply clearcoat.

2) You can also "remove decals under clear coat by heating with a hairdryer until the decal got soft, then picking at the edge, until [you can] peel the sticker off. The sticker will leave a lip of clearcoat around the edge where you removed it. [Then.,] sand the edge smooth with wet and dry, then respray." orig source here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=293300&highlight=removing+clearcoat

Ignore those instructions, just found whole thread with pictures on how to remove decals:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=92057

'Im..

Build : Member page FGSS

If your ever wanting to get decals off a chrome frame this stuff works a treat

wouldnt try it on paint though, shits strong!!

thats exactally what ive been wanting to know, its called jasco in usa, was wondering what our version is?
what would you use to re-clear coat?

ummm dunno, at the mo it looks fine without a clearcoat, if you get up close you can see the difference but just step back a step or squint and it all looks the same, dunno if i can be arsed to clearcoat it but if i did id just buy some spray laquer from the hardware store.

yeah thats what i was planning to use just, maybe i wont re-clear coat them.

Posted this in another thread.

I used a very sharp "NEW" razor blade, and a lot of patience. You have to be really gentle too much pressure and you will go through to the base coat. I then used a very fine abrasive paper to even it all up. It was then washed down with a soap based cleaner. I was going to seal it with a lacquer, but haven’t got round to it yet.

It’s easier than it sounds. It was really satisfying. Bit like peeling a potato.

(Always try a test spot in an inconspicuous place first).

You can see the results here

but they were'nt under clear coat? right?

smeear but they were'nt under clear coat? right?
They were. Looks fine. Ithink white made it easier. Harder to spot unless you get right up close.

oh cool, maybe i'll have a go then? first i gotta get off the shitty black spray paint.

some one did his bianchi here
on the u.s. forum

Ill post a pic of mine later tonight, if u use that paint stripper stuff i reckon itd go through the paint, clear coat and the decals no problem all in one bash.

I'm about to strip my Bianchi Pista tonight (can't wait to get rid of the decals) - Is a 500ml tin of mangers paint stripper enough or maybe 1L to be on the safe side?

damn, I need to get to 5 posts before I....

...can...

whisper to people.

Sorry, on a more relevant topic, i'll report on my findings with that mangers stuff, but hey, it looks tried and tested.

don't do it!!
EDIT - Whew... I thought you were gonna... you know.. start a new thread.
500ml - sounds like plenty!

Nitromors eats decals, except those chrome metallic ones, they're way too hardcore.

thats exactally what ive been wanting to know, its called jasco in usa, was wondering what our version is?
what would you use to re-clear coat?

oh just go to Halford or a car shop and ask for a paint stripper, cost about a fiver.