how do I remove vinyl tape stripes?

[jamesstrobel]

I need to remove then replace the decorative Hunter blue vinyl tape stripes that are on the cabin port and starboard sides. They have been on the boat for 20 years and I have purchased new vinyl to replace them. They are cracked and will not peel off with a simple scraping with my fingernail. I have not used a putty knife, chemicals or heat.... yet. Does anyone have a good method to do this before I do a "hatchet" job and wreck the gelcoat? Thanks, Jim

 

[Steve Dion]

The best method is to use a cheapo wall paper steamer.
http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Products-282018-1-Gallon-Wallpaper/dp/B0009XEL4O

The next best method is an "eraser" that attaches to a drill.
http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-400E-Pinstripe-Removal/dp/B000IHK2TY

Then you can try the hair dryer/heat gun (least desirable)

 

[Ed Schenck]

I bought one of these at my local automotive paint store: http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=MTG+E-4000S . Took off two wide stripes, 37 feet on each side. Also called stripe eraser it works well and does not harm the gelcoat.

P.S. for some reason the link puts you low in the page. Scroll to top.

 

[MrUnix]

Just did this two days ago!

I just removed all the stripes, Hunter logos and registration numbers from my H23 a couple of days ago. Used the 3M "Stripe off" wheel and it took me maybe all of 30 minutes for everything. Absolutely no damage to the gelcoat, although you will wind up with a 'ghost' image in the non-UV damaged area underneath.

Picked mine up for a little under $30 at my local NAPA auto parts store. I consider it well spent given the amount of time it saved me trying to do it any other way!

Cheers,
Brad

PS: Where and what stripes did you get?

 

[Roger Long]

I went through exactly the same thing on my 1980 boat. Careful heat gun and plastic scraper application took off the tape but nothing, including the 3M wheel would take off the remaining gunk until I tried this stuff which worked like magic:

http://www.marineformula.com/

 

[jamesstrobel]

Thanks for all of the input. This gives me some solid ideas when I give this project a "go" this week. I think I will try the steamer and the heat gun first. Brad, I also have a H23. I got the tape from Hunter... they had both the deep blue and the lighter "hunter" blue in stock and the price was under $20 for 10' of both of the tapes. By the way, now that you are finished with the 3-M "stripe off" wheel can you send it to me? kidding... Jim

 

[Steve Dion]

James:

You will not need the heat gun if you have the steamer. Be careful with heat guns you can ruin the gelcoat.

 

[Fly_H23]

I have used a regular hair dryer which worked fine. A heat gun must be used at low setting only.

 

[Kermit]

I used Goo Gone. Worked like a charm. About $4.00 in the grocery store. And you can use it to get those pesky labels off of china. Very handy product.

 

[jamesstrobel]

Great ideas from everyone. Thanks for all if you input. I plan to try them one at a time and see what happens. Goo gone sounds interesting. Tomorrow the stripes come off!

 

[redhead78]

If you wanna save yourself a ton of work. wipe the old stripe area with alcohol to get off grime, and go over it. I just did mine last weekend red stripe over 20 yr old imbedded blue one, it looks great. Tape was cheap, use that elbow grease on another project. Red

 

[jamesstrobel]

Hi Brad
The 3M Stripe off worked great! I tried heat, steam and chemicals to no avail. The Stripe Off took 15 minutes and cleaned off 20 year old sun dried stripes with ease! Thanks for the great advice!
Him

 

[jamesstrobel]

Actually I am "Jim"
Sorry, using an I-phone keyboard