Best way to remove old side art

[_JMFR]

What is the best way to remove old side art without damaging the cabinet?

[daywane]

me... I just use a belt sander

[Ginsu Victim]

I used a heat gun (or you could use a hair dryer) and started at one corner and worked it from there.

[CheffoJeffo]

Depends on the  sideart -- stencilled, screened, sticker ?

Are you planning to refinish the exterior or do you just want the sticker gone ?

[cmoses]

Not trying to hijack, but have similar question.

I have a MKII Cabinet that appears to have vinyl sticker on front and sides, but they have been painted over in black paint.  I want to smooth the surface down and repaint.  Am I best to try to remove the vinyl sticker or just patch and holes/damage and then sand it all and repaint over top?

Any suggestions welcome.

[_JMFR]

^^ INTRUDER!!!!! haha.... it's sticker side art..ill give the blowdryer a try.

I too got a mk cabinet...mines umk3..some dumbass painted over the art,but u could still see it thru the paint..not to mention a ton of runs. WHY WOULD SOMEONE DO THAT!!!!!!

im sure this question has been asked...but where the hell can i buy new mk3 art?

[_JMFR]

Depends on the  sideart -- stencilled, screened, sticker ?

Are you planning to refinish the exterior or do you just want the sticker gone ?

i plan on refinishing...im gonna have an artist friend of mine paint it for me...

[CheffoJeffo]

Then I would use a heat gun and Super DeGooper to remove the side art prior to sanding the sides for paint, although the belt sander would likely take care of it too!

[daywane]

I have tried 3 differant paint strippers.
1 thing,  the stuff is not cheap. It takes close to a Gallon each side.
the only problem with the belt sander with the sticker.
It will gum up a belt fast.
I think I used 6 belts up.
Belt sanders are not as bad on wood as people here think.

[CheffoJeffo]

I typically only use a paint stripper if I am trying to save the underlying artwork (and then use something mild like Safest Stripper).

Otherwise I am a heat gun guy -- if you own the heat gun, it is cheaper (and, to my experience, faster) than any alternative.

The Super Degooper I use only for glue residue.

[ctozzi]

Regarding mk2 I have restored 3 of them that were painted black. - filled the holes sanded all bmps and repainted a primer coat. They all turned out beautiful

[cmoses]

Ctozzi,

That is the approach that I am initially taking.  Started filling holes over the weekend.  Also repairing some damaged edges and corners.  Did you hand sand, or use a palm sander?

Thanks

[javeryh]

I'm about to attempt the hair dryer method on my DK... assuming it ever warms up enough.  Is this the best method?

[stan2323]

Heat gun and pealing off the old art is how I got my old Tron art off.  It took about an hour each side.  Then Goo Goon for the residue.  There was not much residue as I pulled slow and went easy. 

Stan

[csa3d]

I'm about to attempt the hair dryer method on my DK... assuming it ever warms up enough.  Is this the best method?

I used the hairdryer technique on my Galaxian.  Word of caution:  wear thick gloves.  Till I was done, I think I melted off my fingerprints and my fingers were burnt for a day or so.

-csa

[stan2323]

I think I melted off my fingerprints and my fingers were burnt for a day or so.
-csa

I too learned this lesson the hard way.  But I did not think to wear gloves.

Stan

[javeryh]

Well, today is the day... it's like 35 degrees out right now but it is supposed to warm up to around 55 so I'm going to try and remove the side art from my DK.  I don't have a heat gun but I do have a hair dryer - well, my wife does  - so I guess I'm going o give that a try and clean up with Goo Gone or something is I have to.  Then it is on to bondo, sand and paint!  I'm hoping to get the thin primed today but I've got a lot of work to do!

[mrclean]

first I used one of these:



Then for the rest I used paint thinner took 2 coats on each side
 

And once I could see the bare wood I then used my palm sander


Then used wood filler / Primer / Paint

[Sir Headless VII]

^^ INTRUDER!!!!! haha.... it's sticker side art..ill give the blowdryer a try.

I too got a mk cabinet...mines umk3..some dumbass painted over the art,but u could still see it thru the paint..not to mention a ton of runs. WHY WOULD SOMEONE DO THAT!!!!!!

im sure this question has been asked...but where the hell can i buy new mk3 art?

Mame Marquees.com seems to have it

[javeryh]

I just finished.  Took about 2 solid hours.  I still have to remove the glue with goo gone but the hair dryer did the trick.  I scraped with the end of a flat head screwdriver and when I got enough to grab onto I started peeling.  What a pain! 

I've never used Goo Gone before (I have to go buy some). Do you just let it sit and then everything rubs right off or does this take some elbow grease to do right?

EDIT: mrclean: my side art/cabinet side isn't quite in as bad shape as your started out (nice job).  The DK cab appears laminated or something - it is very slick.  It sucks I have to sand and paint over it.

[javeryh]

I just finished one side - what a huge pain in the ass!!  It took over an hour to get all the glue off but it looks pretty good.  I'm taking a little break before I tackle the other side.  I had high hopes for today's progress but I'll be lucky to get to the bondo at this rate!