Removing decals

[svanimpe]

Any tips on removing decals from carbon handlebars? I've bought an EC90 MTB handlebar that fits me well, but the decals look cheap, and I'd prefer an all-matte-black look.

[Dribob]

I've had luck heating decals up with a hairdryer and carefully peeling them off

[Serge_K]

I've had luck taping black electrical tape over things i didn't like. It's surprisingly stealthy. Slightly ghetto too

[jonathanf2]

Any tips on removing decals from carbon handlebars? I've bought an EC90 MTB handlebar that fits me well, but the decals look cheap, and I'd prefer an all-matte-black look.

A heat gun usually does the trick. If that doesn't work, I'd buy non-residual black decal tape to cover it up.

[TidyDinosaur]

Is it stickers or painted?
I read acetone will work on a lot of painted logo's. But use this with care and test somewhere you won't see if it goes wrong...

[NoGrip61]

I removed Elite Wheels painted on logo's with a heat gun (and scraping with a paper towel) and goof-off pro...  It was a real chore.  Stickers can be done with hair dryer.

[jonathanf2]

I removed Elite Wheels painted on logo's with a heat gun (and scraping with a paper towel) and goof-off pro...  It was a real chore.  Stickers can be done with hair dryer.

I've tried this with another carbon wheelset and unfortunately the decals imprinted onto the carbon, leaving a faint trace of the logo. No amount of goof-off could get it off. Did you have this issue when you removed the logos on the Elite wheelset?

[00Garza]

This has always ended in a messy disaster for me.

Now I either buy without decals or if they're minimal, I'll find some way to cover them up. (sharpie, nail polish, tape, etc)

[NoGrip61]

I've tried this with another carbon wheelset and unfortunately the decals imprinted onto the carbon, leaving a faint trace of the logo. No amount of goof-off could get it off. Did you have this issue when you removed the logos on the Elite wheelset?

No, they surprisingly came off without a trace. The heat gun did a lot of the heavy lifting.  There are 2 goof-off's, regular and Professional.  The pro one was what helped get the remaining residue, but definitely wear a mask or respirator when using it.

And ya, I should have requested no decals, oh well.

[SirBikealot]

sorry for digging out this old thread, but does anyone here got some elite wheels delivered lately and can tell if the logos are sickers or underneath some clear coat?
I'm going to buy some sets but want to remove the decals because i like the clean wheel look a lot more.

[Wet Noodle]

No idea about the wheels, just adding a last-resort option: Some people had success with card scrapers*. If you're unlucky, that might leave a different finish and require some cosmetic work afterwards, though.

* A woordworking tool of bygone times, basically just a small piece of very thin sheet metal with at least one sharp edge. You do not really cut with it, but draw it at a very blunt, possibly negative, angle.

[coffeebreak]

sorry for digging out this old thread, but does anyone here got some elite wheels delivered lately and can tell if the logos are sickers or underneath some clear coat?
I'm going to buy some sets but want to remove the decals because i like the clean wheel look a lot more.

I have a set. Decals are under clear coat and cannot be removed easily. Talk to them if they can produce a set without decals, they usually accommodate request like that.

[womble73]

Elite confirm if I wanted and decals and the color as well, but I am waiting for mine to be custom made. I am happy with the look on the deep rims but asked for black so they don't pop out to much. Going for a semi-stealth look so when people pass me I don't stand out tooo much.