Good afternoon,

I want to remove a manufacturer's decal from a rod blank which a customer brought me to build a rod for him. It is a graphite rod balnk with what appears to be a semi-gloss clear coat. When I worked with fiberglas, decals were easy to remove with acetone, MEK or a non-polar solvent such as xylene. However, I know that most finishes on graphite blanks are not stable with respect to almost all organic solvents.

I tried hot water, but whatever adhesive was used on the decal is not yielding to hot water. If any of you have an answer to this problem I would truly appreciate hearing it. If not I will try a little decorative wrap, which I once had to use on a SilaFlex rod blank whose logo defied my best effort.

My thanks to all in advance.

Mike Blomme

Hey Mike,

Go to your local office supply store and pick up a product called "Un-Du" adhesive remover. It is similar to a product I use in my frame shop called "Un-Seal" that is used to remove customer artwork from mounting boards. It releases the bond of the adhesive without harming the artwork. It evaporates very fast so ya gotta be quick. I just ried to solution on a new StCroix Green, a Rainshadow Green and a Forecast blue blank with no ill effects, BUT, you try it on your finish before you slather the blank with Un-Du - -!!

Since the decal is probably a vinyl peel-and-stick, try to get one corner up and expose the glue interface and let the chemistry do its job. If the decal is already partially off, just keep adding the solution until all of the adhesive has been removed. Then clean the blank with isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth.

Good luck and good wraps.

Charlie
TightLineRods@aol.com

Mike,

You might also try a blow dryer set on medium. All you want to do is soften the adhesive so you can peel off the sticker. Make sure to keep the dryer moving and not in one place or you could soften the finish. Then just clean up with alcohol and a dry rag as stated above.

Bill in WV

I'd just wrap over it. Even if you get it off, the blank will probably be a shade darker or lighter underneath, and you'll have to wrap it anyway.