Decal Removal -- `71 Roadster Side Panels

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I've still got the original vinyl decals on my `71 (of which I'm the original owner), and (both) the decals (& I) are getting long in the tooth/beginning to fray at the seams. The side panels are the original black (what else?) gelcoat.



I read through previous posts looking for the least damaging way to get the decals off so I can replace them with new original/vinyls that just arrived. I did see one post suggesting a hairdryer -- but even after 20-25 seconds at (very) close range, the old decals just sneered at the insult rather than soften/lift off.

I have an industrial heatgun as-for-paint-removal, but fear bubbling the gel coat if I have to go that far.

What say the illuminati on the board here as to the options/solution?

Acetone usually likes to bubble up plastic, and it won't touch fiberglass or gel-coat.

I've stripped alot of vinyl off of trucks, sometimes it goes flake by flake and can drive you crazy. A hairdryer is best, your heatgun will ruin the paint/gelcoat. Its just going to take alot of time, but you'll get it. After you get the vinyl off, use mineral spirits to remove the adhesive. Make sure and do a test to see if it removes any paint. It shoudln't unless its a low quality paint job.
You can also set the covers out in the sun to warm them up instead of using the hairdryer.

Thanks, Gahi. `Went back at it with hairdryer at 1/8-1/4" above surface for a 20 count, then razor blade at shallow angle -- `came up as you predicted.

Goo-gone got most of the residual adhesive off, but the surprise was how well Turtlewax Carnuba Cleaner/Wax paste (green can) got it all off.