Bicycle Mechanics - Removing unwanted STICKERS.

I've been thinking about a set of Easton EC90 SLX forks but just can't stand being a rolling billboard for someone that's not paying me to advertise for them. Does anyone know if they can be easily removed or are they clearcoated? Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure if they're clearcoated. If they're not, WD-40 is very effective at removing sticker residue. Spray it on and let it sit for awhile (so, you may have to turn the fork so that the fluid can sit for a bit without sliding off).

I've always found that orange peel cleaner works well for all that crappy advertisements.

Use a hair dryer to soften up the glue on the stciker before you try to remove them. This will leave the least amount of cleanup after you remove the stickers

Thanks for the reply guys but, the big question is "can" they be removed on this peticular fork or are they clearcoated.

Thanks for the reply guys but, the big question is "can" they be removed on this peticular fork or are they clearcoated.
Do you already have the fork? If so, can you feel the edges of the decal? If you can't, then it's probably clearcoated and you're outta luck except for scuffing up the whole surface of the fork with prepping sandpaper and spraypainting a black coat overtop. I have no knowledge of this fork, if you don't own it yet and are looking for knowledge on whether it's clearcoated or not.

Do you already have the fork? If so, can you feel the edges of the decal? If you can't, then it's probably clearcoated and you're outta luck except for scuffing up the whole surface of the fork with prepping sandpaper and spraypainting a black coat overtop. I have no knowledge of this fork, if you don't own it yet and are looking for knowledge on whether it's clearcoated or not.


No, I don't have and have not seen in person the fork. I'm considering this and other forks for an upgrade. This fork is probably my #1 choice but I don't like the huge EASTON stickers on the front of each leg and don't want to have to go to the trouble of stripping and repainting the whole thing if it can be avoided.

Only because everyone else has answered questions you didn't ask... I'll join in too!

You should avoid suspension forks and go with solid steel/carbon. :D

Have you tried calling a vendor that carries them and mention your concern? Ask the people you plan to buy them from, and let them know that the ability to remove the stickers is one of your requirements for a fork you will purchase.

Also, if you haven't done it already, try the Mountain Bike forum, you may hit someone who doesn't check this forum, but does own a set.

Only because everyone else has answered questions you didn't ask... I'll join in too!

You should avoid suspension forks and go with solid steel/carbon. :D

Have you tried calling a vendor that carries them and mention your concern? Ask the people you plan to buy them from, and let them know that the ability to remove the stickers is one of your requirements for a fork you will purchase.

Also, if you haven't done it already, try the Mountain Bike forum, you may hit someone who doesn't check this forum, but does own a set.
Dude, the fork he is talking about is a carbon ROAD bike fork, not suspension, not MTB.

I've been thinking about a set of Easton EC90 SLX forks but just can't stand being a rolling billboard for someone that's not paying me to advertise for them. Does anyone know if they can be easily removed or are they clearcoated? Thanks in advance.

Well, I've got an EC90 SL, and it's clearcoated. I would imagine the SLX is the same. That said, my SL is brand new, with about 9 inches of steerer left (I cut it too short). If interested, let me know.

Well, I've got an EC90 SL, and it's clearcoated. I would imagine the SLX is the same. That said, my SL is brand new, with about 9 inches of steerer left (I cut it too short). If interested, let me know.


Thank you, very much. I'm guessing they are the same too.

I just checked my Easton EC90 SL. Mine have a ridge @ all the stickers. I do believe those could be removed. Perhaps it is in the production series.

On sticker removal via heat: My suggestion is to go very easy and very gently if & when using heat on carbon laminates. It is possible to raise the laminate's temprature into a transition range at which point the resin properties maybe degraded. The temprature at which this will occur varies with resin. If unsure, I would suggest using only the lowest setting and keep the laminate within the range that is not uncomfortable to touch or hold.

Bob

i took decals off of my fork, which were clearcoated over. i was able to take a knife and gently chip off the clearcoat from the top of the decal and then peel it off. it's not perfect, but looks a hell of a lot better without the decal.

That said, my SL is brand new, with about 9 inches of steerer left (I cut it too short). If interested, let me know.
Your dilemma reminds me of a quote from a frame builder I once read; "if you ride a 52 cm frame, the world is yours." :)

i took decals off of my fork, which were clearcoated over. i was able to take a knife and gently chip off the clearcoat from the top of the decal and then peel it off. it's not perfect, but looks a hell of a lot better without the decal.

and you didn't think there was anything wrong with taking off a protective layer of paint?

and you didn't think there was anything wrong with taking off a protective layer of paint?

not really as it wasn't a super expensive fork. i actually took the decals off the entire frame doing this as well. someday i'll go back and re-clearcoat everything but there hasn't been any problem so far. and i ride the bike in all weather conditions almost everyday.

Dude, the fork he is talking about is a carbon ROAD bike fork, not suspension, not MTB.


yes he knows.
Only because everyone else has answered questions you didn't ask... I'll join in too!

Also note the the big smiley face after the mildly sarcastic comment

Dude, the fork he is talking about is a carbon ROAD bike fork, not suspension, not MTB.

:o

I guess I could have looked that up before rambling on... Shows what lack of experience does, the only forks I have ridden with blatant ads were suspension. I need to remind myself, "Think outside the box." Or at least figure out which box I am in.

My joke was in talking about a different brands, but if I had known it would have been even funnier since it has no similarity other than holding a front wheel.

:D

He just "duded" you.
At least he didn't "chief" you. :)

:o

I guess I could have looked that up before rambling on... Shows what lack of experience does, the only forks I have ridden with blatant ads were suspension. I need to remind myself, "Think outside the box." Or at least figure out which box I am in.

My joke was in talking about a different brands, but if I had known it would have been even funnier since it has no similarity other than holding a front wheel.

:D

But you are right about suspension forks. The first thing I did when I got my Specialized FRS was to blow the huge butt ugly MINUTE 1 stickers off the forks. Thank goodness all it took was a funny look at them and they practically fell of by themselves :)

You could also try a laundry marker. I used it to cover the logos on some cheapo carbon bottle cages and it looks ok. If you look really close, you can see the cover up, but nobody looks that close at my bike.

Az

He just "duded" you.
At least he didn't "chief" you. :)
I defer to the magical mystical Georgio, and allow him to do all the chiefing :D

You could just put black duck tape over said logos.

to remove the stickers you can use a balde scrapper, and to get the glue off, carburetor cleaner or denatured alcohol work well

I defer to the magical mystical Georgio, and allow him to do all the chiefing :D

I knew somebody here would get it. Appropriate that it was you, the duder :) .

not really as it wasn't a super expensive fork. i actually took the decals off the entire frame doing this as well. someday i'll go back and re-clearcoat everything but there hasn't been any problem so far. and i ride the bike in all weather conditions almost everyday.

There's a big difference in a factory clearcoat job and what an individual can do later. It's probably Urethane which is very dangerous to spray and requires special safety equipment.

why not just get a fork without stickers? the nashbar fork is just plain old carbon. cheaper as well. i know that it does not have the name brand wow factor (but you're peeling that off anyway), but it works for me. seems easier than chipping into a clear coat.

why not just get a fork without stickers?

Because I already have one and I want something better. The biggest difference is about half a pound in weight. Didn’t anyone ever tell you, in cycling what you don’t get is what you pay for, weight. :p

I've always found that orange peel cleaner works well for all that crappy advertisements.

And it makes the bike smell like a citrus tree to boot!