Although vinyl transfers are often associated with window decals and t-shirts, vinyl transfers also decorate other items such as furniture. Many people use vinyl transfer designs on furniture. These range from interior designers and crafters who accessorize furniture pieces to business owners who use vinyl transfers to display company logos or product images. People typically remove vinyl transfers to change the furniture's appearance or to attempt repairs after an accidental transfer that cosmetically damages a hard or upholstered furniture surface.
Instructions
Hard Surfaces
1. Position your hair dryer, set on its lowest setting, 3 inches from the vinyl transfer. Heat half of the design and then gently scrape it off using your plastic scraper. Repeat on the other half. If the transfer is on glass or another equally hard surface, scrape it off with a razor blade glass scraper.
2. Apply an adhesive removal product or solvent to the surface with a microfiber cloth. Wait one minute and then rub with your cloth to remove any remaining adhesive. Repeat following the instructions on your adhesive removal product or in 30-second increments as necessary.
3. Wash and rinse the area. Dry with a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth.
4. Repair any surface damage. If the area has a dark "stain," it is likely the result of the vinyl acting as a barrier between the original surface and sunlight/moisture that faded the surrounding non-covered areas. Re-paint or re-stain the entire furniture piece to match the darker color or maintain the faded, weathered appearance by gently brushing away the stain (original surface coating of paint, wood stain, or lacquer/sealant) with fine grade steel wool.
Upholstered Surfaces
5. Heat the vinyl transfer design with your hair dryer on the low setting. Hold the dryer approximately 3 inches from the area---to protect the surrounding fabric from potential scorching---and heat until the transfer feels hot to the touch.
6. Push the transfer edge with your thumbnail. If the edge peels from the fabric surface, slowly peel it away, reheating as needed, as you move from one side of the transfer to the other. If the edge doesn't peel from the fabric, repeat Step 1.
7. Preheat a dry iron for at least eight minutes to or below the highest setting approved for the furniture's upholstery fabric type if the hair dryer doesn't loosen the transfer from the fabric.
8. Press a piece wax paper onto the hot vinyl design. If the paper won't stick to the transfer, tape the paper in place.
9. Iron the wax paper and transfer for 15 to 25 seconds.
10. Pull the paper edge to see if the transfer has peeled from the surface. If it has, continue to pull away the paper to remove the transfer. If the transfer remains on the upholstery, repeat Step 5 as needed until it sticks to the paper and you can peel it away.
11. Blot a fabric-approved adhesive remover or other solvent onto the fabric to remove any remaining adhesive/vinyl.
12. Clean the upholstery with upholstery cleaner. Review the information about weathering in Section 1, Step 4, if the transfer area appears "stained" and repair the area as desired---re-dye the upholstery or fade the "stain" with a fabric fading solution.
