Topic: I Wanna Remove "Super Sport" from the Tank - How?

[Smudgemo]

Only because I have new stickers and I'm not going to repaint the tank.  So how does this work where I can save the paint and not make it look worse?  Did I miss a useful thread on this with my searching?  Is it as easy as patience and a heat gun set to stun?  I also just filled up yesterday.  Seems likely I'll need to mostly drain the tank to not fight the cooling effect of the fuel.  Thoughts?

'76 550F, for the record.

[drumstyx]

It's probably clearcoated over...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

+1. Unless you're an accomplished painter that can sand it down and repaint over a new one don't even try or you'll end up doing a complete paint job.

[Jimray23]

Use your fingernail and pick at the edge of the sticker to see if its cleared over

--------------------------------------------------
Jim
1979 kz1000b ltd
    stage 3 cams
    pod air filters
    4-1 open exhaust(no muffler)
    full rewire
    dyna-s ignition
    dyna 3 ohm coils

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

It IS cleared over. Decal, not sticker.

[Jimray23]

It IS cleared over. Decal, not sticker.

That depends, if its not factory it may not be cleared. Probably is but some people do take shortcuts.

--------------------------------------------------
Jim
1979 kz1000b ltd
    stage 3 cams
    pod air filters
    4-1 open exhaust(no muffler)
    full rewire
    dyna-s ignition
    dyna 3 ohm coils

[Smudgemo]

Definitely not clear coated over.  Some of the decal is already gone and I can pick at it, but that's not the way to get this done (I hope.)

[eigenvector]

there's a 3M sticker/decal eraser drill bit that some people here steered me toward when I asked about removing the stickers from my fairing.

Called a Stripe-Off wheel or something.
Might look into it.

[Smudgemo]

there's a 3M sticker/decal eraser drill bit that some people here steered me toward when I asked about removing the stickers from my fairing.

Called a Stripe-Off wheel or something.
Might look into it.

Now we're talking.  This looks promising, although it's $24 on Amazon.  But hey, it's my bike and how it looks is important!

[Bodi]

Heat. Use a hairdryer or, sparingly and with some risk of damaging the paint, a heat gun. Once it's hot enough the sticker will peel off cleanly. Pouring boiling water on it will heat it up nicely as well, wipe with a towel and start peeling.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

It IS cleared over. Decal, not sticker.

That depends, if its not factory it may not be cleared. Probably is but some people do take shortcuts.

--------------------------------------------------
Jim
1979 kz1000b ltd
    stage 3 cams
    pod air filters
    4-1 open exhaust(no muffler)
    full rewire
    dyna-s ignition
    dyna 3 ohm coils

BINGO! He hit the jackpot. I didn't take that into consideration. All 5 of my F tanks are coated over it.

[Jimray23]

Heat. Use a hairdryer or, sparingly and with some risk of damaging the paint, a heat gun. Once it's hot enough the sticker will peel off cleanly. Pouring boiling water on it will heat it up nicely as well, wipe with a towel and start peeling.

The hair dryer is the best idea

--------------------------------------------------
Jim
1979 kz1000b ltd
    stage 3 cams
    pod air filters
    4-1 open exhaust(no muffler)
    full rewire
    dyna-s ignition
    dyna 3 ohm coils

[Smudgemo]

I don't know.  I tried the heat gun on hair dryer setting, and it wasn't seeming to make much of an impact.  Tank is full, so maybe if I drain it first it will make more of an impact. 

This is what I'm attempting to remove:



Thanks for the suggestions.

[Jimray23]

Yea the fuel is probably cooling the metal to quick for the heat gun to be effective on a low setting.

--------------------------------------------------
Jim
1979 kz1000b ltd
    stage 3 cams
    pod air filters
    4-1 open exhaust(no muffler)
    full rewire
    dyna-s ignition
    dyna 3 ohm coils

[PeWe]

Put another decal over it

[jlh3rd]

Honda didn't clear coat those tanks, or the side covers. Honda didn't begin clear coating painted parts until ,maybe late 70's ,earlier 80's...
I use a heat gun that has variable temp settings. I wouldn't want to go over 200 degrees....maybe a hair dryer doesn't get hot enough....maybe something like goof off, or a citrus solvent remover....
I'd test it underneath the tank first to make sure it doesn't harm that tank .....

[Smudgemo]

Well, we're going to find out about the eraser wheel.  I ordered one because I'd also like to replace the decal on the fuel door, and it looks so sun-beaten that I don't see the heat gun working very well.  I'll probably paint it, though.  Is that a satin or flat black?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Flat

[jlh3rd]

Satin...

[jlh3rd]

Actually, Eastwood makes a color called under hood black which is a mix between flat and satin...which is the closest I've ever seen...but, you pick what you want.....
But in case you don't think I know what I'm talking about, here is a picture of my unrestored, all original 550f....

[Smudgemo]

Just as a coda to this dance, I received the 3M stripe remover, and though I'm no fan of most large corporations, I'm going to applaud this product.  The Super Sport decals and the "be safe" decal on the fuel door are all gone, and it was easy-peasy.  Not sure what I'll ever use this tool for in the future, but it was worth the cost.









The plan is to wet-sand the door and repaint, and just add decals to the tank and call it done.  Not perfect, but it'll look like a million bucks from a couple of feet.

[jlh3rd]

Congratulations, as that tank looks like it's in great shape. If you're not interested in originality, did you know that there are repops of the 550f "Honda" tank badges that are peel and stick?

[Smudgemo]

Great shape, indeed.  And I already have the repainted badges ready to reinstall:



But that does bring up a question.  Do I put the clip in the tank mount and then press in the badge, or does the clip get fitted to the badge first before pressing the badge in place?

[jlh3rd]

I have not done that enough to know which way is best. I do know that the problem is if it's difficult to push on, you can push in  the mounting bracket on the tank ,the badge doesn't seat all the way-and then when you release the badge it doesn't sit flush to the tank. There may be a noticeable gap....
...this doesn't help you,I know....
So... I would seat the mounting pins on the tank first...make sure they are all the way in.....and then push the badge on....
Be careful not to unbend the badge...it has a curve to it....and just push on the badge where the pins are.....
I'm just trying to use common sense....the mounting pins are a certain length...so if they are seated all the way into the bracket first. They may just contact or be a hair shorter than the distance from the back of the bracket to the tank....so when you push the badge on, that pin will contact the tank and let you push the badge all the way on/in........
Just my thoughts on it...