Packing film removal

[JandL]

I have a Simplicity riding mower here that I need to get the plastic like film removed from the hood, the stuff they put on so the paint does not get scratched in shipping. Its been there for about 4 years (new old stock) and is not coming off very well. It is cracked and backed on so it is not just a matter of a little heat from a hair dryer or ammonia (Windex) or a bit of gas on a rag. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't want to damage the paint as this unit is going to be sold soon.

[bobodu]

Wow....you may be so screwed...
My outboard had a vinyl decal wrapped around it and the decals took a lot of careful heat but the damned adhesive came straight from hell.Nothing in my paint cabinet would cut it....except paint stripper.
Outside of using that heat gun more.....

[bgsengine]

we've seen the same issue - but other than careful scraping , a handheld automotive buffer may work - limited success with that.. other than that, can try and warranty the hood assembly, or send it to the body shop and figure the cost in on the selling price. Or, sell as-is and discount for the damage.

[dakota2]

You could use a product called Goo Gone, local hardware store should have it. It has worked good for me on removeing and
getting to the glue they put these things on with.

[KE4AVB]

You could use a product called Goo Gone, local hardware store should have it. It has worked good for me on removeing and
getting to the glue they put these things on with.

Just read label for what not to use it on. There is a few different versions out there. It is also available auto parts stores too. I have used it in the past to those hard to get off vinyl lettering car dealers put on cars to advertise themselves without damaging the paint. Overall the Goo Gone is a very good adhesive remover and the citrus smell is nice too.

[bgsengine]

The problem is , it is *not an adhesive!*

This is a simple plastic sheeting they wrap around crated tractors to keep off shipping dust and dirt, etc. The problem with this stuff is, in storage when temperatures get too high, the plastic sheeting literally *melts into the paint* - It isn't an adhesive.

Think of a ziploc bag storing a matchbox car and set it in an oven at low temperature - not quite enough to melt the plastic, but so hot that the paint reacts with the plastic and they fuse together.

It can peel off in some cases, but in others it is so fused to the paint job that you cannot remove the plastic without removing some paint, too. Hence, the buffer.

It is a problem for many dealers that do not have climate controlled warehouses, and inventory that has to sit a year or two before it sells- only other way to avoid it is to un-crate the machine and remove the plastic sheeting.

[JandL]

Thanks to all, I will work on it in the shop as time permits today, will report tonight what I found did or did not work...this is going to be a long day.

[JandL]

Well, here is the outcome...Simplicity warranted the hood piece! A few bolts to take out and a new hood top piece goes in, and its already painted!

[bgsengine]

Awesome. I figured they might - It is not an uncommon issue - It could as easily have happened in warehousing or during transport as in dealer storage.

Long as they don't call back the old one, you can take it home and practice some removal techniques (That's where we came up with using a buffer borrowed from a body shop.)