Removing wheel graphics

stevenb
stevenb Posts: 717
edited March 2010 in Workshop
I wish to remove some graphics from my wheels (American Classic 350 Sprint) as I'm pleased with the wheels enough to settle for a CX Ray spoke upgrade instead of a new pair of wheels.
The graphics seem very thin on the rim and I can't get my finger nail under them at all but I just touched the edge of one with a sharp knife and it did work.....but I don't want to risk damaging my nice gloss black rims.

It might seem weird to do this to some people but it'll save me shed loads getting lighter matching wheels......

Would any solvents work without damaging the rims?

Cheers in advance.

Comments

  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    Heat the stickers up with a hair dryer and then gently peel back. Any glue residue can be removed with White Spirit, WD-40, Lighter fluid, Kerosene, etc.
  • triathlondaz
    triathlondaz Posts: 282
    yep agreed, thats how I got the stickers off my cosmic carbons :D
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Same here, that's how I removed Diego Maradona and Karl Heinz Rummenigge from my school nemesis' Mexico 1986 Panini Sticker album without him noticing.

    I had to use pritt stick though to get them to stick in my album afterwards.
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    The hair dryer didn't work...lol
    They might even be lacquered over but I'm sure I can feel an edge there.

    Looks like a wheel off. tyre/tube off and a hot air gun....which I have at home luckily.
    :)
    Planet X RT-57 custom build
  • pete.whelan
    pete.whelan Posts: 788
    you did switch the jair dryer on didn't you :wink:
    Recipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.
  • stevenb
    stevenb Posts: 717
    lol...yes.

    These graphics are very thin as said......the valve marker graphics will come off easily.....but the rest are as smooth as the wheel.
    Will look into this more before I damage my wheels.
    :lol:
  • gundersen
    gundersen Posts: 586
    why not just paint the wheels?
  • stevenb
    stevenb Posts: 717
    I did think that to make them look nice but that would add weight to them.
    I'm trying to be a bit of a weight weenie here.
    If I can removed the graphics and get some CX-Ray spokes fitted I'll have a 1300g pair of clinchers :D
  • pete.whelan
    pete.whelan Posts: 788
    If you are that worried about the weight, then go for spokes 1mm shorter than calculated and save far more than the decal weight.

    (the weight of vinyl 30 to 50 um thick on a rim is probably less than a gram)
    Recipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    Im not worried about the weight of the graphics.

    Painting adds the weight.
    I wish to remove the rad graphics on my wheels only to match the rest of the bike you see.

    I won't be building the wheels.
    The lLBS would be fitting the CX-Rays and Polyax nipples. :wink:
    Planet X RT-57 custom build

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