Powder coating 511B's, how to save the decals?

[Voice_of_the_Llama]

I was thinking about having my scratched-up 511B's powder coated to restore their factory appearance and I would like to preserve the original decals if possible. Is it fine to just use a heat gun to loosen the adhesive and lift it off?

Thanks

[bowtie427ss]

I would like to preserve the original decals if possible.

Why bother?

New finish deserves new decals.

ALTEC 511B & 811B Loudspeaker Driver Horn "DECAL" New! | eBay

[Voice_of_the_Llama]

I've seen those. I'd get them if I ended mucking up the original pair, but they're not a perfect replica as they're not embossed.

[bowtie427ss]

To answer your question, IMHO&E the heat gun is a bit overkill. If you must use it, keep in mind how thin the foilcal is and how fast it will heat up once free of the horn's cooling mass.

If available, use a blow dryer with selectable heat range. Start out low and increase the heat gradually to the point where it softens the adhesive enough to let go

[Voice_of_the_Llama]

To answer your question, IMHO&E the heat gun is a bit overkill. If you must use it, keep in mind how thin the foilcal is and how fast it will heat up once free of the horn's cooling mass.

If available, use a blow dryer with selectable heat range. Start out low and increase the heat gradually to the point where it softens the adhesive enough to let go

OK, good idea. I'll try that first. I assume the printing was done by silk screen?

[Voice_of_the_Llama]

I managed to remove the labels using a hair dryer as recommended, and by carefully peeling them little by little with a razor blade while applying constant heat. They put up a helluva fight but they came up without too many new wrinkles. The corners on the first label were already missing...

decals.jpg

I'll take the horns into my local powder coat shop on Monday. Come to think of it, this might be a good opportunity to send the drivers into GPA to have them remagnetized and have radial waveguides installed...