Vinyl application and adhesive remover fluids

[Colin Crabb]

The best adhesive remover we have used is Metamark Adhesive Remover.
https://www.metamark.co.uk

Application fluid, we very very rarely use, so can’t help there.

[RobertLambie]

RapidTac:
I have always been against using ANY type of application fluid for vinyl for various reasons.
However, I was contacted by RapidTac in the States, around 20 years ago and sent samples to try.
I forget exactly what tests I did back then, but I remember being impressed by the adhesion of the vinyl shortly after the application. This was because RapidTac has stimulant chemicals in the liquid that activates and promotes adhesion quickly after application. So for that, I have always said, “If you require the aid of an application fluid” then RapidTac is the one I would suggest, over any other.

Now that said, Since then, RapidTac has developed and added to their range and I honestly forget the exact one I used. However, what I can confirm is that I never tested it for adhesive removal, only application.

For that reason, I would lean towards RapidTac before any others “if” I had to use an application fluid for vinyl.

Adhesive removers:
I have tried loads of adhesive removers over the years. My opinion is that many are just “rebranded” citrus-smelling adhesive removers. Some, are better than others, but again, my opinion is that “some” are simply watered down, therefore Weaker at breaking down the adhesive.
I say this because a great many chemicals on the market get watered down, not just adhesive removers, but most things in liquid form. I know this because I have caught two of my suppliers doing it, first-hand, over the years with meths and Isoproynol. But also because of a company that was trying to get some business from me a while back, the salesman turned up with a device that took readings from the chemicals I was using to prove the content of certain chemicals.
Basically, I told the rep what I was using and how much I was paying. he took readings from the bottles I was using and confirmed they were of a high content of whatever chemicals “should” be present. He told me there and then he could match but not better than what I was currently paying for the volume I used. I was pretty impressed by his process and his honesty.

Anyway, for “Adhesive remover” I use “Tar and Glue” remover in 5 Litre container.
I have done a quick Google below and attached some images. But I source mine from a local company.

[Leslie Anderson]

this is very helpful, i will be needing some of this very soon judging by a job i have just taken on. 🤨🤣

[Hugh Potter]

Mainly I use Right off, made by SOTT and sold, I think by Adapt / Amari.

I have got a bottle of the metamark glue remover here also, only just tried it on a couple of small bits and it works well. I also use the Metamark surface cleaner.

I don’t use application fluids. On the rare occasion I’m flooding a panel that’s too big to handle, I’ll just use a soapy solution, though more often now I use a ppf solution.

I did use Rapid Tac around 17-18 years ago when I first started, as I installed outside back then, and hadn’t mastered dry application (some may say I still havent!) it seemed sensible. It worked well enough but did fail on one job.. I had a rush job to recreate a Vauxhall 888 touring car replica, the weather was cold, only a few °C, it even began to sleet as I was finishing the roof! Anyhoo, the RT application fluid said it was good for down to minus 10 or 15°c… Luckily my client trailered the car to the track and had the photos done prior to the race, during the 24 laps around 25% of the decals – all the big stuff, parted company with the vehicle. Thankfully the customer wasn’t phased as it was a one off thing for his sponsors and they’d got what they wanted, but I don’t recall using RT again after that.