[tvad]

I'd like to remove the decals off my three year old HED Belgium rims.

Any tips?

I'm thinking Goo-Gone, and if that doesn't work then Goof-Off.

 

[zigmeister]

Are they under the clear coat or over? Makes a big difference. If over, yeah, something like Goof Off or acetone is harmless to the carbon/clear coat if they just won't peel off.

If under the clear coat, start sanding, and stop if you hit black powder. I sanded some decals under the clear coat off some asian 50mm deep-v carbon clinchers. Took about 4hrs for all 12 decals. 3 per side each wheel. Then, I hit it with clear coat from the local big box home store in flat clear, wet sand to smooth it....sweet looking now.

 

[tvad]

This seems to be a good method:
Zipp Decals - YouTube

Hair dryer and acetone. Done.

 

[valleycyclist]

I discovered that medical adhesive remover works really well. They come in packets like alcohol pads. Any drug store should carry them.

Amazon.com: Smith And Nephew Uni-Solve Adhesive Remover Wipes - 50/bx: Health & Personal Care

 

[tvad]

I discovered that medical adhesive remover works really well. They come in packets like alcohol pads. Any drug store should carry them.

Amazon.com: Smith And Nephew Uni-Solve Adhesive Remover Wipes - 50/bx: Health & Personal Care

That's a unique approach. Thanks.

If the hair dryer/acetone doesn't work, I'll find some medical adhesive remover.

 

[zigmeister]

Zipp recommends Goof-Off or Acetone for removing glue off the tubulars and is 100% safe to the wheel. So, I would assume that is safe for the HED also or the decals.

 

[AJ88V]

Recommend starting with a hair dryer to heat the stickers and peel them off. Then remove any leftover adhesive with something fairly benign like Goof-Off.

Actually, Goof-Off is benign to your paint (unlike acetone), but not so benign to your body, so do it outside.

Are the stickers just beat up and ugly? I really like that HED uses reflective tape in it's stickers. Wonderful safety feature. Every wheel should have it.

 

[tvad]

Are the stickers just beat up and ugly? I really like that HED uses reflective tape in it's stickers. Wonderful safety feature. Every wheel should have it.

They look fine, but I'm buying a new rear HED wheel with graphics that don't match the older HED front wheel, therefore I want to remove the old decals to de-emphasize the mismatch.

The new HED Belgium rim graphics are painted rather than applied with a decal.

Since I don't ride at night, reflective decals serve no purpose for me.

 

[ziscwg]

Are the stickers just beat up and ugly? I really like that HED uses reflective tape in it's stickers. Wonderful safety feature. Every wheel should have it.

I so agree.

 

[tvad]

Thought I'd follow up.

I used the hair dryer/acetone method, and it worked like a champ. Easy and quick.

Here's the link to the demonstration:
Zipp Decals - YouTube