Removing bonnet stripes - it's flaking not peeling, any ideas?
 

I'm in the process of removing the factory bonnet stripes from an R56, and having a horrible time of it. I've read the various threads and tips on heating it and peeling the stripes off in one go but these stripes are 5 years old and have 'crazed' as the vinyl has shrunk, so I'm left with lots of smaller pieces.

Does anyone have any ideas what I might try? heat and a plastic scraper isn't really touching it it just makes the edges ragged as it slowly chips away at it. A metal razor blade kind of works but it's caused a couple of little nicks so I don't want to continue with this. I've tried soaking it in 3m Adhesive remover which is good for removing the residue but doesn't do anything to the pieces that are still stuck on.

I've spent about two hours on it today and only got about 5" off the first stripe.

Thanks very much for any suggestions.

I've used "decal remover" that I got from autozone. it is in a rattle can by the paint cans. spray it on, let it soak, and the decals comes off pretty easily.

I highly recommend one of these. No chemicals, will not harm the paint. I used one that's 5 years old to take the stripes off my 08 MCS I bought used a few months ago. You can use it with a regular drill or cordless drill.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Stripe-Whee.../dp/B00063VT0G

Thanks guys, I'll give these a try.

heat gun/hair dryer
 

i've used heat gun to remove my stripes and then again on a aftermarket stripes with no damage. be careful though.

This is why I just said NO to stripe decals....

When my husband bought his MINI from a friend in February, it had the stripes on the bonnet (it's an '04). He bought a vinyl removing wheel for only $15 at a parts store (I don't remember the store). It took him only 45 minutes to get the stripes AND the Welsh dragon graphic on the roof off. It was much like the 3M one sent in the link above though. Good luck!

I just did this on my 2009 MCCS this weekend. Engine heat had turned the stripes brittle and they came off in fingernail sized pieces. Remembered watching a friend pin stripe a car once and he used plastic razor blades. Found this at my local Autozone plastic razor blade scraper

it worked great! Had the bonnet stripes off in about 20 minutes. I used a can of Quick Start to get the gooey bits off, but anything like Goo Gone will work.

They came off easier after I drove the car a bit too...the engine heat or a heat gun or even the sun will soften the decals....