Stem graphics removed: before and after pix
#1
Thread Starter
Recreational Road Cyclist

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 613
Likes: 306
From: MetroWest, Mass.
Bikes: 1990 Peter Mooney road bike, 1996 Gary Fisher X-Caliber mountain bike
Stem graphics removed: before and after pix
I wanted to try a longer stem and bought one on sale. I didn't want the 3T logo or team graphics. It looked like this:


I used fingernail polish remover, which is mostly acetone, and rubbed off the graphics with cotton pads and then a paper towel. They came right off, took less than 10 minutes. I kept some of the smaller graphics (model and length), and covered them with electrical tape to protect them. The acetone cuts the adhesive on the tape, though, so I had to hold the tape down and use caution. The stem looks good to me:


I put this up in case it might be useful. I saw a demo of this on YouTube, and no doubt it has been discussed here at Bike Forums too.


I used fingernail polish remover, which is mostly acetone, and rubbed off the graphics with cotton pads and then a paper towel. They came right off, took less than 10 minutes. I kept some of the smaller graphics (model and length), and covered them with electrical tape to protect them. The acetone cuts the adhesive on the tape, though, so I had to hold the tape down and use caution. The stem looks good to me:


I put this up in case it might be useful. I saw a demo of this on YouTube, and no doubt it has been discussed here at Bike Forums too.
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,920
Likes: 1,002
From: Louisville KY
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline
Looks good. On my mtn.bike, I replaced the stem with one that was a "take off" from a different brand. I just painted black over the brand on the stem. Doesn't look as good as yours, but it worked.
#3
Non omnino gravis
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 8,552
Likes: 1,739
From: SoCal, USA!
Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu
How short was the stem that got replaced, because this one looks like it's maybe a 90?
Ritchey stems are fully painted, but are just plain black anno underneath. Water-based stripper will have one clean in 10 minutes.
Matte-finished Shimano PRO logo come off with acetone, like the 3T. Which is good, as the graphics usually start to fade pretty quickly.
FSA puts their logos in the clearcoat, so no-go there. Thomson are laser-etched.
I find logo removal to be most useful on alloy handlebars, as the graphics seem to get messed up/scuffed/worn more quickly than anywhere else.
Ritchey stems are fully painted, but are just plain black anno underneath. Water-based stripper will have one clean in 10 minutes.
Matte-finished Shimano PRO logo come off with acetone, like the 3T. Which is good, as the graphics usually start to fade pretty quickly.
FSA puts their logos in the clearcoat, so no-go there. Thomson are laser-etched.
I find logo removal to be most useful on alloy handlebars, as the graphics seem to get messed up/scuffed/worn more quickly than anywhere else.
#4
Thread Starter
Recreational Road Cyclist

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 613
Likes: 306
From: MetroWest, Mass.
Bikes: 1990 Peter Mooney road bike, 1996 Gary Fisher X-Caliber mountain bike
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Acetone works well to remove painted or decal graphics and I've used it to do the same logo removal from stems, unpainted Ti frames, etc. It does not work for anodized or etched logos.






