Windshield Repair Forum

Hello everyone. As my name implies, I'm in the sign business. Here's my conundrum that I'm hoping someone here can help out with:

Signs like the attached are typically installed with various types of double-sided tape (1/16" thick or so) and silicone. They can be pretty difficult to remove without damaging the wall. Even if damaging the wall isn't an issue, they're still difficult to remove. I came across some videos on YouTube showing a few different types of windshield removal tools. Some were ratchet operated, one was drill operated. The concept was basically the same: it pulled the wire through the adhesive that was holding the windshield in place.

I would like to use a similar concept to adapt/modify/create a tool that can be placed next to a sign, and using a drill, it would basically use one of the brands of windshield wire to cinch through the tape and silicone.

I would love to hear your thoughts on if there's a tool that could be easily modified or possibly already exist that could perform this task.

I appreciate your time!!

Would not just the wire cut to whatever length you desire and a couple of handles work? https://www.equalizerfusion.com/Product ... rodId=1854

You will still have the problem of removing the adhesive tape from the wall after the sign has been removed but with some adhesive cleaner and/or a hair dryer that should not be too difficult in most cases if you don't already have a better method.

You may also want to protect the edges of the signs with masking tape or door edge guard. http://www.trimlok.com/prod/Edge-Guard/ ... ductID=119

I use a 4 inch wide putty knife for mouldings on the sides of vehicles. I would imagine a blade from one of equalizer extractor tools combined with a handle would work quite well too. Equalizer sells them separately. Blades around 40. Handle 15.

Thanks for the response. I've tried the method you mentioned with fishing line, guitar string, etc, and the issue is I can't hold the sign and cut through the tape & silicone at the same time. If I don't hold the sign, as soon as I cut through the last of the tape & silicone, the sign is going to fall.

I'd like something that allows me to hold the sign while cutting through the tape & silicone. A drill operated mechanism would be great, but I guess something perfect for what I do doesn't exist.

Removing the tape & silicone from the wall isn't really a concern. It's usually either going to be covered by a new sign or the customer is already aware that it will need to be repaired.

Thanks again for the response!

This requires a two step solution. You start cutting with the wire and a pair of handle or vise grips or whatever. When you are two thirds through the sign will easily pull away from the wall and you go in with a long knife to cut the remainder while holding the sign in the other hand. You don't have to just keep going with wire until the sign falls off.