Best way to remove vinyl from particle board ?

Level42

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Gotta renew the vinyl on my SW cockpit and I tried peeling it a bit and it comes loose but (obiously) there's some particles sticking on to it.
What is advised, simply pulling it loose or maybe using some heat ?

Also any tips on how to rescue the operator type-sticker on the vinyl ?
 
Heat gun, paint scraper, and a lot of patience.

I had to do the same thing to my asteroids cabinet and it took a while to get all the little bits off. Some sections came off in large chunks, but most of it came off in smaller pieces. You do have to be careful not to heat it too much, or the vinyl will cook.

I just did a little but at a time over the course of a few days and it eventually got done.
 
I talked to a guy that told me to use a wall paper perforater and a steam iron . I don't know how the particle board will take the steam usually they have a thin poly coat on the board under the vinyl.
 
They make a heated decal scraper that looks like a soldering iron with a single edged razor blade holder on the end. Works great!
 
I tried a heat gun, but it turns the vinyl to mush too fast.
Tried a hair dryer while peeling, which worked better, but still kept tearing.
Also tried a *sharp* chisel, which actually worked fairly well, but it's time consuming.

The easiest thing I've found so far is the spray on paint stripper. Spray on a 1 or 2 foot area, wait a minute or two, and it peels off easily with the consistency of a popped balloon. Be sure to wear gloves and a respirator. Start peeling before the stripper begins to dry out.
 
We bought our heated decal scraper about ten years ago from one of the major amusement parts suppliers. I think it was Competitive Products or Betson that had it. I think it was only ten bucks for it

I think you can find this at Harbor Feight Tools now and some car paint shops sell these for removing pinstripes.

EDIT:

Here it is at good old Harbor Freight (be sure to buy extra single edge razor blades too):

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...o?itemid=65057&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=
 
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