DECAL ADHESIVE REMOVAL

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Jun 6, 2005
16
S2 30 Rye, NH
WE ARE REMOVING THE DECALS OFF THE HULL OF OUR HUNTER 23.5 AND WE WOULD LIKE SUGGESTIONS HOW TO SAFELY REMOVE THE ADHESIVE ON OUR 1993 SAILBOAT
 
W

Will

3M makes a decent spray for that very purpose...

You spray the stuff on, let it sit for a moment and then wipe it off. Reappply if you need to. It's good stuff and safe for fiberglass etc.
 
Mar 24, 2005
39
Catalina 27 Overland Park, KS.
Acetone

Acetone works very well, is inexpensive, simple and will not harm your gel coat.
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
What I've found,

that works very well for vinyl stripes and graphics is; First remove the old vinyl with a razor scrapper. The blade works very well for this purpose. Just be sure to maintain a low angle or you'll ding the gel coat. Second, soak a paper towel with mineral spirits, aka paint thinner. Then wipe it onto the leftover adhesive. Because you're using a slow evaporating thinner, you can do a large area. After about a minute or two, go back over the adhesive with the same razor scrapper. The glue is now jelly and comes right off. Any missed spots are easy to find with your finger tips. Slick and cheap. Just changed my home port last week. It was easy. (except for turning the boat around and re-tying. Then laying on my side on the dock during the whole job. Did I mention that it was 90 degrees under the hot sun and the weather service had issued a 'heat warning'. Thank heaven for cold beer. And I get to do it all over again until the name goes on straight! :))
 
Jun 9, 2004
17
- - Ventura
Hair Dryer

For most decals use a hair dryer and peel away. You wont need too much heat so watch the temp. -R
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,646
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
I Did Mine a Little While Ago

I used a pocket knife to get under a corner and peeled it off. Then used charcoal lighter fluid to remove the adhesive no reason for that pick except it was handy. It was pretty easy.
 
Dec 27, 2004
139
Hunter 340 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Just did ours...

We used a hair dryer and an ice-scraper. Be careful not to get the vinyl too hot with the dryer otherwise it will permanently mark the gelcoat underneath. I'd also read somewhere not to use a razor-blade but the ice-scraper...likely to minimize risk of damage.
 
Jun 4, 2004
133
- - Plymouth
Razor Blade

I used a razor blade, peeled right off and I followed with a product called oops!, which took off any adhesive.
 
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