How to strip a Reebok/Adidas Jersey
You got a jersey, probably from Dicks/Fanatics/shop.NHL/FMJ - but you don’t want the player who’s currently on the back. Or maybe you don’t like the single-layer vinyl that’s on it. This serves as a picture guide for removing that.
This guide is ONLY for factory customization. If you have anything other than stock factory customization, these principles may not work for you!
Materials needed:
Seam Ripper
Iron - bonus if it steams
Lint Roller - makes cleanup easy
Let’s get started.
Some “before” pictures
The Arm Numbers
Before we get started
Start by using a seam ripper and popping everything on the outside of the lettering
Once done, pull off the string on the inside.
Now you need to cut the threads holding the front stitching in place
Sometimes the numbers have two threads for some reason. Break both every 1" or so.
Pull in the middle of your break points, and the threads should come out. See pictures later in the back numbers for a visual explanation.
Once you've removed all the white threads, the paper should peel off.
Grab the remaining orange thread and pull. You should feel it separate around the number.
Pulled arm numbers.
Exterior left over. Use a lint roller to clean up threads.
Post-lint roller
Fully removed arm numbers and threads.
The Back Numbers
Start on the back, and do the same with your seam ripper
The back will likely be easier, and you'll see it separate very easily.
Close-up of stripped number
Make sure you get every stitch, and it should separate very easily.
Number pulls off easily.
Interior, post number removal
Do the same thing we did on the arms - grab the white thread and give it a pull
The white thread
Should be able to pull it off the entire outline
The back numbers only have one thread, not two. Start at one corner, and make a cut.
Make another cut about 1-2" away
Put your seam ripper between the two cut points and pull away from the jersey.
Peel the paper away
Exterior, post interior cleaning
Grab a black thread, and give it a pull. Same thing - it should feel like the outline of the number is separating.
Post thread removal
Use a lint cleaner to pick up the stray pieces.
The Nameplate
It is very hard to see the thread holding the nameplate to the jersey. It will be one of the horizontal threads, not any of the fancy loops. Cut a few in a row and an opening should appear
Here is the opening.
Gently pull the nameplate away from the jersey. You'll see the thread connecting them. Snip it.
Keep the pressure on, and you'll see the nameplate thread holding it in place as you go along. This is the fastest part of the strip.
Keep going.
Nameplate removed, pull any strings from the interior, and clean up with a lint roller.
Post roller
Clean-up
Kit fully removed. Now would be a good time to wash your jersey to make sure you get rid any latent threads. Wash on cold, inside out, with just a touch of detergent. Hang dry.
Post wash doesn't look much different. That's normal.
Now we iron. I have a steam iron, and recommend it to everyone. Set steam to max, and temperature to as low as possible - I use the "silk" setting on mine.
Flip the jersey inside-out, you don't want to iron the exterior.
Make consistent spiral motions with the iron. NEVER STOP MOVING. You can do about 20 second bursts, using lots of steam. The bottom of the "9" has disappeared.
Keep going, ironing out the back and the arms where there is an outline from the numbers.
The Finished Product
Finished product - no evidence that there was ever a kit.
Factory kit.