What is the best way to remove the glue that stays behind after you remove decals from a trailer.

I have tried thinner but that just smears the glue around, I have tried hot water and soap, it works, but takes forever.

Your help is appreciated.

I've had success with brake clean. It takes a bit to break the glue down and does kind of smear it around too but eventually leaves the surface and adheres itself to the rag you're rubbing it off with.

Michael: wd 40 works well, brake clean as Paul mentioned, and good old gasoline ( pretty expensive though) soft cloth, dab it on the left over glue, give it a wipe. works well on the duct tape adhesive also. Have fun with that eh? bob

I have used a product call "GOOF OFF" to remove decals and such from painted surfaces. I bought some a few years ago at Canadian Tire.

Go for the "GOOF OFF" I've used it on decals on glass and it works fine.

working on you own car Michael!!!  you should get one of your lovely pit crew to do it whilst you supervise......

If Dee-Anne is helping be aware that brake clean will destroy acrylic nails - they go black.  Ask Bobbie..

Either Kerosene or a product called Tumbler work well. Some of these and other products like Brake Kleen have chemicals that can damage the paint finish. I always have dish soap and water handy to rinse off as soon as you're done.

I use a locally available commercial sign product called:
"Rapid Remover Adhesive Remover"
www.rapidtac.com

It softens old glue in about 30 seconds and you have work in stages. Use a plastic sign squeegee or ice scraper and lots of paper towels. Finish up with a warm, soapy water rinse & you're good to go.

It's water based & does not contain silicone, made in the U.S.A. and available from ND Graphic supplies on Annacis Island. Call them at 604-525-7940 Mon-Fri 8:30 - 5. Also available from Taca or any other local sign supplier.

Personally I would NOT use Goof Off, it's straight Xylene which is hazardous and will damage paint finishes. WD40 or other spray lubes may work depending on how old your decals are, they just take longer.

ALWAYS test an area away from the main part you ar stripping.

One big tip - try to peel off the decal rather than scraping them. Get as much decal adhesive off as you can before and you'll have a lot less to mess with.

Forgot about the comments on brake clean - NO, NO, NO! Do NOT use it to clean off decals. Yikes!

You can also use a heat gun to WARM the stuff up before you peel it, but use it carefully. Try parking the surface facing the sun on a warm day, it will peel off easier.

I appreciate all the good advice guys.

Thank you,
Michael

Actually there's one more tip that's always good for many uses. When removing anything with adhesive or undercoating with heat, heat the backside of the panel underneath the area to be removed. This heats the the adhesive rather than the decal, so the chances are better that the glue stays fixed to the decal rather than the panel. It really works.

Ambient heat is the issue, that's why parking the car or trailer facing the sun and letting it warm the entire surface is best.

Sometimes it may be difficult to heat the backside of a fender or trailer panel door, sometimes not.

Lots of answers and ways to do things. None are wrong but experience at the job usually shows the easiest way.

FWIW, have fun. 8)