Removing boat name under paint (!)

[4lane]

I have a new to me older boat and am changing the name/hailing port. It looks like at some point the city name was painted over (along with the hull) because the old port city letters are raised underneath the paint. Should I try wet sanding hoping to remove the paint and then the lettering underneath?

 

[Calif. Ted]

Won't you will end up having to refinish the whole transom if you try to remove lettering BENEATH the paint?

 

[4lane]

That is the concern. By painted over it instead of taking off the lettering, that person has made things a lot more difficult.

 

[Jim Legere]

When the name is painted on gelcoat (or even when it is a vinyl applique) the gelcoat under the lettering is protected while the surrounding gelcoat weathers away. When you remove the name to paint, the ghost of the letter remains. Probably not worth trying to sand the 'ghost' off as you may create a situation that is more noticeable. Only you and the surveyor will ever know what the old name and hailing port were...

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The "ghost" can be removed (faded away) with repeated applications of undiluted bleach several times a day(I just kept spraying it on using a trigger sprayer) in sunny weather...if possible, position the boat so that direct sunlight hits the transom as long as possible each day. You'll start to see some progress in a few days...may take several weeks for it to disappear completely but it will eventually if you keep spraying it.
Hopefully you'll have a shorter a name to get of than "Casey Leigh" (p.o's daughter's name).

--Peggie

 

[4lane]

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. The old owner had vinyl decals and these decals were painted over. So there are decals under paint. I want to remove the decals which are slightly visible because of the raised lettering.

 

[Tally Ho]

Sounds like a repaint after you remove the lettering.

If you are lucky, you only need to repaint the stern.

Greg

 

[Davidasailor26]

I don’t see any way to fix that without sanding through the paint and removing the decals. You’ll probably need to repaint the whole transom afterward. If we’re talking about the C&C 29 in your profile there’s a good sharp transition between transom and topsides, so if you can get a reasonable paint match you can probably just repaint the transom.

 

[4lane]

Yes I couldn’t see a way outside of sanding down the whole transom. I was hoping I could somehow sand just the painted lettering area and get away with not having to paint the whole thing. But I’m not sure what that would look like.

 

[jssailem]

sand just the painted lettering area and get away with not having to paint the whole thing.

That could be a start. Then reassess. Suspect that the sanding will leave a circle at the area not sanded. Repainting, even though feathered will leave two levels of paint. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[JBP-PA]

The easiest way would be to leave them and paint right over them again. There is nothing functionally wrong with this and you can embrace it as part if the history and character of the boat. Sort of like that tattoo you got when young and now regret.

If they used one part paint, you could try to strip it. Take some paper towel, soak it in acetone or paint stripper. Place it on the transom and cover with foil (not cellophane) well taped to prevent evaporation. After 24 hours remove it. If the paint is soft, you can strip it instead of sanding.

If it were my boat, I'd have no problem doing what @jssailem said. Sanding the letters out, feathering out the edges of the old paint, maybe a couple coats of primer strategically placed to hide where the letters were, and then a light sanding and paint on part or the whole transom. See how it looks. Does it pass the 10ft rule? (If you can't see the repair from 10ft away, it is good enough.)

 

[Rick Webb]

Another option

Leave what is there, there. Go to a vinyl sign place and have a new name and hailing port appliques made that cover up all the old ones and ignore it.

A little tough to ignore on a new boat I know you want things just right, but you'll certainly find other issues to dwell on soon enough.

 

[4lane]

Hahaha, yes this is pretty much where I’m going at this point…