Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

[Robert C.]

I'm working on a 1970 that's a numbers matching car.

Been sitting for 20's years, but I'm starting to pull it apart.

The car has several layers of paint. Luckily, each time they masked off the door inspection label (drivers side, with the VIN and Build date).

What's the best way to get this off?

With all the painting, I'm wondering what got under it and how to safely remove it for later reattachment to the car.

I was debating trying to heat it, or just try and get a razor blade under it.....

Any suggestions are appreciated !

Bob

[Alan S.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

Hi Bob,
On my 71 I left it in place.
The car hadn't been re-painted, but I VERY carefully removed what paint was there. The fellow who sprayed my car had dealt with these stickers before and felt he could get enough paint (lacquer) on the door frame without building up much of an edge on the taped sticker. He made it LOOK and FEEL really good.
I think it's worth the extra effort required to try to leave the original in place.
Regards,
Alan

[Robert C.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

This one's getting progressivley smaller from the many repaints.

Luckily, the outside black border is still visible.

Maybe that's the safe bet, clean down to the metal around it and leave it.

Thanks for the feedback.

Bob

[Alan S.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

Hi Bob,
I believe many people prefer to see an original part with an issue rather than a reproduction part.
Regards,
Alan

[Warren F.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

That blue sticker is an adhesive with a clear mylar overlay. There's little chance of removing this label without severe damage, best leave it alone if at all feasible.

[Robert C.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

Thanks all.

I was hoping for a wonder, but i think better to play it safe and leave it as is - with a little clean up.

Hopefully it won't look to bad.

Bob

[Tom L.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

Before I delivered my 72 BB to the shop my wife and myself took a good amount of time using a hair drier, razor blade and the heated garage it was in to attemt to remove the sticker. Fortunately we were succesful. Re-applying it wont be a reasoable choice but we have the origional as a keepsake/document for our car. We are happy with this choice even though the sticker will not be rejoined with the car. After all, it should be fun!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

I had a car with rust under the mylar sticker. I took a new single edge razor blade and cut at the metal door leaving the paint and primer on the sticker. It came out in a condtion when reapplied passed flight judging. I placed the removed sticker on sticky clear plastic and cut it off at the black line as the edges were uneven. This helped hold the paint on the back side together while triming it. I made a new clear overlay and applied it to the door. It would be easy to remove now as only the edges of the overlay were sticky. as the back was also covered with a thin overlay. I had bought a replacement label but it was real bad because the font was way off.

[James W.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

I removed the sticker from my 71 using a stright-edged razor blade and a lot of patience. Not all painters can paint around a label like that and make it look like it should. The label came off in one piece, with most of the paint from the underside of the sticker attached.

I agree that an original is better than a repro, although I did find a gut that was willing to work with me on fonts until it was really close. If I can find the pictures I'll post them.

[Edward C.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

3M makes a two sided tape that is extremely thin that can be used ot reattach the label. It is so thin that it just disappears upon application.

[Alan S.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

Thanks Edward. It's nice to know what's available out there!
Regards,
Alan

[Robert C.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

Yes, but using the razor blade method to scrape it off is the tricky/scary part........

Bob

[Jack H.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

If I remember correctly, the blue certification label on the door (I think that's what you're referring to) was intentionally designed to be 'tamper proof'. If you try to remove it, the integral mylar separates from the label leaving a visible audit trail of blur/distortion...

[Harmon C.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

The one I took off a 73 leaving the paint on the back side showed no signs of blur/distoration.

[Jack H.]

Re: Door Inspection tag removal/salvage

You done GOOD!!! It's the clear mylar to the surface of the label that was intended to oblitherate the label...