graphics application

[Joetech]

I'm putting a new decal on the stern. First I need to remove the old one. Is a heat gun and a razor blade the best way to remove the decal?
The instructions on the new graphics has a wet and a dry method of application. Which is better?. Wet seems more forgiving but dry seems more permanent as far as the adhesive goes.

 

[Brian S]

We recently removed 7' of vinyl graphics from the side of our Carolina Skiff club chase boat. Best method was a heat gun and a metal putty knife. A razor blade is too sharp and will cut into the gelcoat. I also used a plastic putty knife, a cheap one, but if you hold it too close to the heat gun, it'll melt all up.

Once the vinyl bits are off, you'll have to get the residual adhesive off the gelcoat. I found the Goof Off "Professional Strength" in an aerosol can, was very effective, even more than the liquid stuff in the small can. Acetone doesn't do as good a job as you'd like, but might be good to remove any residue of the Goof Off solvent.

 

[Capn Greybeard]

I can definitely second the Goof-Off "Professional Strength" - we had the old boat name in horrific vinyl lettering on both sides of the stern, and it had become seriously weather-cracked. I had to use a knife and a heat gun to scrape it all off, but I don't recommend that method. The only reason I did so was that our gelcoat is already heavily oxidized and I have to re-paint everything above the boot stripe anyway.

Goof-Off really helped get the last of the "yuck" off of the boat afterward - and it only took a few seconds per side.

 

[spraygun]

There are thousand variables on removing decals and reinstalling new ones. We have no idea how large it is. Or what type of film it's made of. The thicker the film and the higher quality, the easier it is to remove. If its still in good enough shape. And it's a hot sunny day. And the sun shines on the decal. It may just pull off and one nice big sheet. Don't use a razor blade. They actually make plastic razor blades. But a heat gun is the best way to go. If not the heat gun ,you can use the 3M eraser wheel connected to a drill. Eraser wheel is for smaller areas not the whole back of a boat. On the application of the new decal. Definitely use soapy water. But just a couple of drops of soap per quart is all you're going to need. Just put it into a quart spray bottle .The decal should just lightly slide across the surface. If you don't have experience. Don't try it dry. Don't use Windex. People try everything. Soapy water is the way to go if you don't have experience. There are probably a million videos on YouTube on how to apply and remove decals. Check it out.

 

[centerline]

like spraygun said, a wet application is the best.

if you apply the decal lightly and let it kinda float on the surface of the soapy water, you will be able to gently move it around til you get it just right... the soap has no effect on the adhesive, but only allows the water to hold together on the clean surface and not separate and run off, and helps remove any air bubbles
when you press down on the lettering/sticker, it will displace the film of water beneath it and let the adhesive grab the surface.... when you squeegee all the water out and set the sticker in place, it will be there as long and secure as any dry applied sticker would be...

any remaining moisture or water bubbles you missed can be worked to the edge and released.

a good quality, dry application is definitely much harder with a big sticker...... but no matter what method you use, always work the squeegee from the center of the sticker outwards towards the ends... otherwise you may end up with a sticker that is wrinkled or off center a little bit.

 

[Golfdad75]

Do not use a razor blade. Many a fool can mess up in minutes what it takes hours to fix.

 

[Gunni]

When you get the old decal off take the time to carefully buff-out the gel coat to erase any oxidation that surrounded the old decal. The gelcoat under the decal has not been exposed to the sun, and will have a much higher gloss.

The 3M erase wheel worked great for me, I didn't want to scorch the gelcoat.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

For removing a stickered cove stripe we used a razor blade ... what's more, Sue took one side of the boat and I took the other side and I thought a race would be a good idea. It was a chilly April morning ...

Let's just say it was pretty ugly and a foolish idea. My side definitely had the most nicks. If you use a heat gun, there is no need to scorch the gel coat. Just heat it enough, as if it is warmed by the sun.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Rather than a decal, I think you are using vinyl sticker style, with a wax paper backing? If so the dry method can be made much easier with a wide roll of masking tape. Use the masking tape along the top edge of the graphic - 1/2 on the graphic, and half on the boat. Use it to get the graphic level. then let the masking tape kind of become a "top hinge", allowing you to reach under the sticker and roll down the slick backing paper from top to bottom. Then the roll of tape becomes handy to apply pressure all over the sticker, before removing the wax paper.
If you are left with any small air bumps - you can take a small straight pin and poke a hole in it. Then use the tape roll to roll out the air and it will smooth right down.

 

[Sanfelice]

Removal

I would not advise using a heat gun. If you leave on too long in one spot you can bubble the gelcoat. Use a hairdryer instead. For scraping I would suggest a cheap wood chisel with rouned off corners to prevent gouging of the gel coat. 3M makes an adhesive remover the works OK. Just need to take it slow and easy. You can try and use a light compound but if the decal has been on too long, you may still have a ghost of the old decal.

 

[trainmanjess]

hello all

when I removed the decals from my boat, I used a 3m eraser drill head.. it is shaped like a sanding wheel, but is made of rubber.. attach it to your drill and it removes the decals and stickers and leaves nothing behind... works great

sincerely
Jess

 

[spraygun]

Like this......follow directions in pkg.