How to remove the decal on a KZ 1000St Tank

I want to replace the decal on the gas tank on my KZ100ST but I have to get the original one off first.

How do I manage to take off the decal?

It sounds like your intention is to avoid any painting.

There is a 3M product called "General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner" and it has the number 'O8984' in big letters also on the front of the can.

You *could* try to pinhole the old decal, apply some 08984 and let it set for a bit then attempt to peel off the old decal.

But maybe the other guys here have a better idea.

Me personally, if I was doing it, my expectation (to get a good cosmetically appealing result) would be that it's going to be hard to remove old/install new without some painting involved. That would just be *my* expectation. And with that in mind, if I was going to have to probably repaint anyway, I'd be willing to try something creative to avoid it, and if that doesn't work, well I was expecting to have to repaint anyway, what's to lose.

I use a hot air gun here at work for our company signs. On my personal truck I used the old lady's blow dryer and heated up the factory emblems and stickers and took them off. The 3M product will take off the any sticky residue left. At work I use some Dupont 3812S to wipe off the glue. The 3812S is a little hotter though than the 3M product.

I second using a hair dryer.
Heat it up and start pealing the edge a bit at a time.
I've done a few decals on other bike parts (fairings) but not on the gas tank.
You may want to open the gas cap. Better yet drain the tank.

Wouldn't there be clear-coat over a factory decal?? My guess would be, "that" would prevent using the heat gun/hair dryer method. :ohmy:

I expect that you'll correct me if I'm wrong though!!

I thought there may have been clear coat over it as well, and should have mentioned it.
Newer bikes have the decals on top, so I thought maybe his bike does as well.

I know this is already a week old, but in case anyone in the future is interested, I bought and used for the first time the 3M Stripe Off Wheel. Just connect it to your drill and it works like a big power eraser. It leaves just a bit of adhesive behind that you can rub off with a rag.

I used it to remove a small decal, but plan on using it for bigger ones in the future. It removes about a 1/4 inch wide section at a time.

Phil Boyd
1995 KZ1000P

Drooz wrote:

Wouldn't there be clear-coat over a factory decal?? My guess would be, "that" would prevent using the heat gun/hair dryer method. :ohmy:

I expect that you'll correct me if I'm wrong though!!

I believe you are right. On my bike the stripes are clear coated over.