How to remove vinyl letters from painted metal door?

Question

I need to repaint an exterior metal door. The previous tenant put over 100 small vinyl letters on the door.

What's the easiest & fastest way to remove these without leaving gouges in the paint that I'd have to somehow fill in, sand, and then paint?

I need to repaint the door today.

Answer 1

One way that I remove stickers, letters, etc. simply use a normal hair dryer to heat up the vinyl. Don't get it too hot. Simply heat it up starting at a corner and then peel the vinyl off. When it is off use "goof off" or some other substance to remove the adhesive that is left on the metal.

Answer 2

If you have a heat gun use that to heat vinyl letters and scrape them off with a razor blade scraper. If you do not have a heat gun you can use a blow dryer on high heat.

This should not gouge doors or creat any places you would have to repair.

Although after you scrape the letters off wipe the metal door down with a thinner to remove sticky residue.

Answer 3

I just repainted a metal door, and removed the paint with a paint scraper and a blow dryer. I'm thinking this will work with your vinyl letters.  A heat gun would probably be a little faster than a blow dryer if you have one available. It was time consuming, but it worked.

Answer 4

The hairdry trick definitely works, so give that a try first.  

Be careful with the scraper that you don't dig into the metal.  If a spot is really sticking - heat it some more.

Depending on how long the letters have been on, you may find there's a sticky residue from the vinyl lettering.

Another product that works really well is Contractors Desolv-it --- you can probably find it locally.  Try your home improvement store, paint store, maybe even the grocery store.  

It's non-toxic.  Smells like oranges - NO FUMES.  And it really gets the goo off.