Removing Decals

[CVA59]

Anyone have a good way of removing the factory decals from the Rebel EDF? I'm going with a USAF or NAVY theme.

[Quickstop]

I believe most people paint right over them (I do)

[Ron1950]

someone on facebook said he got them off his rebel by heating with a hair dryer and packing tape removing it carefully

[CVA59]

Thanks guys, I will it with heat first.

[Quickstop]

Thanks guys, I will it with heat first.

99% chance you will bubble the foam if you apply heat, quite possibly the worst advice I've ever heard. Believe me, it only take a tiny bit of heat to permanently damage the foam.

[Skyboom]

I believe most people paint right over them (I do)

I did the same. But the outline of the decals are still visible. Thinking I should have done the hairdryer trick.

[fhhuber]

The decals pull the paint under them... because the bond of the decal to the paint is stronger than the bond of paint to EPO.

That will always result in the outline of the decal being left. You have to find a way to "fair" the edges. I use a paper towel and acetone. (caution, make sure it really is EPO, because EPS will be destroyed)

[CVA59]

The decals pull the paint under them... because the bond of the decal to the paint is stronger than the bond of paint to EPO.

That will always result in the outline of the decal being left. You have to find a way to "fair" the edges. I use a paper towel and acetone. (caution, make sure it really is EPO, because EPS will be destroyed)

Ok, I will try that. MRC describes it as "Durable EPO foam".

[andrew_flyguy]

Use tape to pull them up! Packing tape, duct tape, sometimes even masking tape. If they're waterslide, that'll bring them right up! May also work on yours.

[CVA59]

Use tape to pull them up! Packing tape, duct tape, sometimes even masking tape. If they're waterslide, that'll bring them right up! May also work on yours.

Thanks Andrew. I will give it a shot.

[CVA59]

Use tape to pull them up! Packing tape, duct tape, sometimes even masking tape. If they're waterslide, that'll bring them right up! May also work on yours.

Works great so far. I have one half done. Is there any issue using acetone to get the left over gunk off?

[Ron1950]

nice ill let u do mine!

[fhhuber]

I dampen a paper towel in acetone, then rub to feather the edges of the paint border between lifted and not lifted... and it removes any remaining adhesive.

I've never pulled a decal from an EPO model without it lifting any paint that was under it.

Again... other foams will get eaten by acetone.

[CVA59]

nice ill let u do mine!

Hahaha, I better pass Ron. This one is enough for me, LOL.

[CVA59]

I dampen a paper towel in acetone, then rub to feather the edges of the paint border between lifted and not lifted... and it removes any remaining adhesive.

I've never pulled a decal from an EPO model without it lifting any paint that was under it.

Again... other foams will get eaten by acetone.

Thanks for the tip. I will the acetone and see how that works. There is not too much left over adhesive so it shouldn't take much effort to get it off.

[RRHandy]

Acetone and MEK will not harm EPO, with that said MEK if left to long on it will make is spongy flexible but when it gasses out it is fine. I stripped an LX B-25 this way, then I stripped an LX F4U Corsair with acetone and that had no effect at all. :Cool:

[mr.frankenjet]

+1 on paint over them , a little flat latex paint or primer with a light sand and the edges vanish, smoother than the foam. Pulling them off often leaves a rough surface which makes for allot of work to smooth out.
Like the shape of the rebel allot, she's going to look sweet with a repaint

[Aros]

+1 on paint over them , a little flat latex paint or primer with a light sand and the edges vanish, smoother than the foam. Pulling them off often leaves a rough surface which makes for allot of work to smooth out.
Like the shape of the rebel allot, she's going to look sweet with a repaint

I always repaint over factory. Like you say it's a lot of hassle to smooth out the rough surface texture (and match the surrounding areas) once removed. Prime, sand, prime and paint. Works like a charm.

[CVA59]

Thanks guys, I got all the decals off last night so now i will gently try to work off the reside with acetone. Once that is done I will prime and paint white like the T-38 USAF jets. I will post up as I move forward.