Applying vinyl graphics

[Justin_NSA]

I should know this. Couldn't find it either. I'm polishing and waxing my hull for the '17 season. Before I'm through, and while she is on the trailer, I want to replace the hailing port letters on the stern. After I strip the old ones, should I polish first, apply letters, then wax? Apply letters then polish and wax? In other words, will polish (not wax) affect adhesion?
I'm using the Presta cutting creme and Collonite wax as mentioned in MS' how-to. Did the compounding last spring. Just freshening it up this time.

 

[kloudie1]

I would polish, then apply graphics then wax .. There is some oil in the polishing crème so ya have to de-wax/oil the area where the graphics are going to go.. Acetone wipedown or stove alcohol wipedown .. should do it.

 

[Justin_NSA]

So polish then wipe it down before putting decals on?

 

[kloudie1]

Yup

 

[Justin_NSA]

Thanks Claude!

 

[kloudie1]

Welcome.. have fun with the letters!

 

[Justin_NSA]

Confession time. I put new ones on last year. I changed the hailing port when we bought her. I thought I'd be clever and get a curved set that followed the scoop. Well, it put them right under the swim ladder stops when it's down. Some of the letters are torn up now.

 

[JRacer]

Call Jim Pierce - he works in the vinyl business

 

[Justin_NSA]

Dang! I already have the new set ordered from BoatUS

 

[JRacer]

They don't do little jobs, they sell to manufacturers of Boats/Rv's, Autos, etc. But, he can tell you how to best prepare for applying them and how best to apply them. I got mine made at Full Moon Signs, downtown. They did the application also.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I would polish, then apply graphics then wax .. There is some oil in the polishing crème so ya have to de-wax/oil the area where the graphics are going to go.. Acetone wipedown or stove alcohol wipedown .. should do it.

+1

 

[jssailem]

Timely question. My Letters arrived yesterday. A bit earlier then Mother Nature had planned. Now I am waiting till the temp gets above the mid 50's. Evidently the sweet spot for application is 55-80 F. So guessing I have a couple of months before anything can be accomplished. Maybe I can polish the transom a bit and get the shadow of the former lettering off before I apply the new.

 

[rgranger]

Soften the old letters with a heat gun or hair dryer before you take them off

 

[jssailem]

RG. The heat gun idea works great. Removed the former name with ease. Only issue is they left a shadow on the gel coat. So I need to smooth the surface so the old lettering is not visible. Tried washing the surface but to no avail. So this time it will be the MaineSail progressive wet sand approach.

 

[agprice22]

Yes. The old letters leave a raised and yellowed area in the gelcoat. Wet sand with 600, 1200, 2000. There will still be a shadow, but it will disappear in a season in the sun.

Sand, polish, apply letters. Then you can wax. If you have graphic printed vinyl, do not use an abrasive over it. The color will come off.

I use DIY lettering to create cool names for my boats.




The first is the name for my new trimaran!