Any suggestions for removing old painted on lettering? We recently bought vinyl lettering to be put on the sides of our sailboat but need to clean up the old lettering that the previous owner's had painted on the boat. Tried acetone and paint thinner with no luck. Don't want to harm the gelcoat which is in pretty good condition. Any suggestions???????
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
P
Peter
E
Elena
Trying Easy off Today
Every book and tip sais Easy off Oven Cleaner and to let it sit on the boat for 20 minutes. then use a soft scrub brush to lightly wipe it off and then claen thoroughly after. Also said that it woould probably take a week to fade and that you may want to wait before applying the vinyl. I am trying it this afternoon and will let you know.
Every book and tip sais Easy off Oven Cleaner and to let it sit on the boat for 20 minutes. then use a soft scrub brush to lightly wipe it off and then claen thoroughly after. Also said that it woould probably take a week to fade and that you may want to wait before applying the vinyl. I am trying it this afternoon and will let you know.
B
Bill
We used acetone and copper wool (+)
it got the paint off, but unforuntately left a "shadow" since the name had been on there so long (over 15 years). We had the transom refinished to completely remove any traces of the old name. As far as the hull registration numbers, same method, though we found when re applied the new numbers (decals), you really couldn't notice any shadows from the old numbes. Fair winds, Bill S/V "Ngemelis"
it got the paint off, but unforuntately left a "shadow" since the name had been on there so long (over 15 years). We had the transom refinished to completely remove any traces of the old name. As far as the hull registration numbers, same method, though we found when re applied the new numbers (decals), you really couldn't notice any shadows from the old numbes. Fair winds, Bill S/V "Ngemelis"
P
Paul Akers
Razor Blade
I once had a Catalina 25 that I used a razor blade to carefully scrape off the old, painted-on lettering off of the stern. Then compounded the area to remove any residue. Worked fine.
I once had a Catalina 25 that I used a razor blade to carefully scrape off the old, painted-on lettering off of the stern. Then compounded the area to remove any residue. Worked fine.
T
Tammy
Oven Cleaner & 220 wet/dry sandpaper
We tried using just oven cleaner & a green scrubby but it didn't work so well & took an awful long time. We found that using 220 wet/dry sand paper with the oven cleaner worked a lot faster. However, you have to be careful not to sand too much. We were planning on painting the boat anyway.......
We tried using just oven cleaner & a green scrubby but it didn't work so well & took an awful long time. We found that using 220 wet/dry sand paper with the oven cleaner worked a lot faster. However, you have to be careful not to sand too much. We were planning on painting the boat anyway.......
P
Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
20 minutes may be too long
Best results: spray it on only a letter or two at a time...wait about 5 minutes--long enough for it to work, but not long enough for it to dry. Use a metal spatula to scrape off...spray anything that still remains again, along with the next letter or two. Wait about 5 minutes...scrape again...use a plastic kitchen scrubber pad. Work your way down the name, then wash the whole VERY thoroughly with detergent and water. Don't let the Easy Off run--which is why you only want to do small areas at a time...it won't do your striping any good at all. And wear rubber gloves!!
Best results: spray it on only a letter or two at a time...wait about 5 minutes--long enough for it to work, but not long enough for it to dry. Use a metal spatula to scrape off...spray anything that still remains again, along with the next letter or two. Wait about 5 minutes...scrape again...use a plastic kitchen scrubber pad. Work your way down the name, then wash the whole VERY thoroughly with detergent and water. Don't let the Easy Off run--which is why you only want to do small areas at a time...it won't do your striping any good at all. And wear rubber gloves!!
R
Rob
another easy off vote
I took our name off this winter and used easy off also....Be carefull not to leave on to long...I did and it developed a yellow haze that I couldnt get off...but over the last few months the sun has bleched it white again...I also used Laq thinner that I do not recomend..use acteone if you need a thinner. Cover your hands...if you use a razor blade do not use it on an angle use it flat or 90 degrees because it will gouge the gell coat.......We have not yet applied the new name...(mainly becuse we cant think of one)...but the old name is still ghosted on the glossy finish....my plan is to lightly sand the letters not the surrounding finish...then compound add the new name "In Vinyl" then wax the whole area.....Ours was painted on in red laq. paint...what a mess....the boat was still in the water and I used the dingy to get to it...some paint splattered on the dingy...Ive been trying to get it off since...now I have a pink inflatable! You should have better luck then us ..at least the weather is turning!!!...Should be a great weekend!
I took our name off this winter and used easy off also....Be carefull not to leave on to long...I did and it developed a yellow haze that I couldnt get off...but over the last few months the sun has bleched it white again...I also used Laq thinner that I do not recomend..use acteone if you need a thinner. Cover your hands...if you use a razor blade do not use it on an angle use it flat or 90 degrees because it will gouge the gell coat.......We have not yet applied the new name...(mainly becuse we cant think of one)...but the old name is still ghosted on the glossy finish....my plan is to lightly sand the letters not the surrounding finish...then compound add the new name "In Vinyl" then wax the whole area.....Ours was painted on in red laq. paint...what a mess....the boat was still in the water and I used the dingy to get to it...some paint splattered on the dingy...Ive been trying to get it off since...now I have a pink inflatable! You should have better luck then us ..at least the weather is turning!!!...Should be a great weekend!
J
Jim Hughes
shadows
You might try toilet bowl cleaner (The Works) from the dollar store.I had left my boat at the lake all summer and when I pulled it out,it had algae on the bottom,the keel and rudder.I pressure washed it,but there was a muddy brown stain still left.I tried bleach,scotch brite pads,some acetone.Nothing worked.Someone suggested toilet bowl cleaner.It worked great.Wear rubber gloves.Pour on a sponge,wipe on,wait a minute or too,then hose off.I did 3-4ft. sections at a time.You don't want to leave it on to long.I couldn't believe how well it worked.Make sure you rinse it well or wash it when done.Hope it works for you. JIM
You might try toilet bowl cleaner (The Works) from the dollar store.I had left my boat at the lake all summer and when I pulled it out,it had algae on the bottom,the keel and rudder.I pressure washed it,but there was a muddy brown stain still left.I tried bleach,scotch brite pads,some acetone.Nothing worked.Someone suggested toilet bowl cleaner.It worked great.Wear rubber gloves.Pour on a sponge,wipe on,wait a minute or too,then hose off.I did 3-4ft. sections at a time.You don't want to leave it on to long.I couldn't believe how well it worked.Make sure you rinse it well or wash it when done.Hope it works for you. JIM
C
Cyndy
Many Thanks to the Easy Off Oven Cleaner!!
Boy, that "Easy-Off Oven Cleaner" worked like a charm! Working a small area at a time and waiting 5-10 minutes depending on the old paint thickness as well as re-applying on the stubborn sections worked wonders for me. THANKS! I might try some of "The Works" toilet cleaner to remove the shadow left from the lettering imprinted. All great suggestions! ;-)
Boy, that "Easy-Off Oven Cleaner" worked like a charm! Working a small area at a time and waiting 5-10 minutes depending on the old paint thickness as well as re-applying on the stubborn sections worked wonders for me. THANKS! I might try some of "The Works" toilet cleaner to remove the shadow left from the lettering imprinted. All great suggestions! ;-)
R
Rich
Try Ballistol for the shadowing
Ballistol is one of those great infomercial products that has its uses. It's an old German gun-oil formula (non-petroleum based) that says it can be used for a lot of things including restoring hazed gel-coat. I decided to give it a try on my Catalina 25 after I had removed the old lettering and found that by applying and leaving it on the hull for a few days all traces of the old lettering outlines went away. It has a kind of dull margerine-like sheen so I would leave it on for a week and then go to a real boat wax. (search for key word "ballistol").
Ballistol is one of those great infomercial products that has its uses. It's an old German gun-oil formula (non-petroleum based) that says it can be used for a lot of things including restoring hazed gel-coat. I decided to give it a try on my Catalina 25 after I had removed the old lettering and found that by applying and leaving it on the hull for a few days all traces of the old lettering outlines went away. It has a kind of dull margerine-like sheen so I would leave it on for a week and then go to a real boat wax. (search for key word "ballistol").
- Status
- Not open for further replies.