Waterslide Decal Removal

Tech & Product
#1

Hey CT Forum,

Long time first time. I have a set of DTSwiss GR 1600’s that I bought after checking out @angryasian’s review on the site (here).

I found myself intrigued by his comment that the waterslide decals could be removed if willing to “put in some effort.”

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Has anyone had success removing this particular type of decal on an aluminum rim without any damage? Any insight/tips/tricks would be appreciated. I’m seeing acetone in some places, acetone-free nail polish remover in others, and can’t quite nail down where to begin.

Thanks in advance!

#2

I have no experience with those exact decals, but I’d start with a plastic razor blade.
Harry Phinney

#3

I don’t know if decal in 3T products is the same. I used acetone to removed those decal in my 3T stem, drop bar and seatpost. Just soaked a cotton with acetone then let the wet cotton covered the decals for several minutes. After that it will be easily wiped clean.

#4

Can confirm. I’ve used acetone on cotton to remove 3TTT decals from a stem too.

The stem decals seemed to be some kind of paint ( they smudged off), not sure if the ones on the rim are.

#5

Thanks all! Going to give acetone a try. Will report back here how it goes.

1 Like
#6

Acetone worked a treat. Took quite a lot and some elbow grease, but goal achieved.

2 Likes
#7

I’d try a heat gun, then 3M adhesive remover.

1 Like
#8

Learn something new every day / most days! Didn’t know that 3M made an adhesive remover. Thanks for the information. Cheers.

#9

If you mean 3M 38984, it is designed to remove uncured epoxy / silicone / 2k polyurethane adhesives and has some fairly unpleasant ingredients so I would not advocate its use in this scenario.

1 Like
#10

My bad. I meant 3M Adhesive Cleaner. Thanks for catching that.