Left the plastic outer layer on my boot stripes

[jrowan]

Say,

Didn't know if anyone had any advice on removing the outer plastic protective sheet /coating on new boot stripes. I placed new stripes on my C 30 during a refit last year. I forgot to remove the plastic coating on the outside of the vinyl on one side of the boat. Now that clear plastic is cracking & looks like crap. Makes my new boot stripe look 20 years old.
I've tried to pick it off by hand, but its cracked up into pieces about an inch long between the cracks. Looks like its seared on there from U.V. damage.
I thought about trying denatured alcohol or something to work as a release agent, but I don't want to destroy the vinyl strip itself. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[jrowan]

So over 100 people viewed my post & not one response?
I know its pretty minor stuff, but I thought that someone would give me their advice.
Oh well. lol. I may just wait till the next haul out & replace the stripes all together.

 

[jrhamp]

Try a heat gun..or hair dryer..just a guess, but it might work..

 

[Anonymous 121765]

JR,

Hey pal. If it were me, I would first try using tape to remove it. I would try a good adhesive masking tape or equal.

I would also call a plastics or a sign shop for their suggestions. My pal just used a hair dryer to remove his old lettering, but if your protective coating is cracked, it is probably brittle too. Too much heat and your boot stripe may loosen.

If all fails, maybe try some wd-40, linseed oil or mineral spirits in carefully applied fashion so as not to compromise the edge adhesion of the tape. Maybe you could apply with a sponge brush or rag in small increments and allow to soak a bit before removing. This should soften it. Wipe off good after a bit, and then apply the tape.

Good luck pal..........

CR

 

[jrowan]

Thanks for the responses guys. I know it sounds pretty mior & petty, but I paid about a hundred bucks for enough boot stripe tape to replace the stripes last year. I left the outer protective clear coating on them while I was waxing the hull, cause I thought it would stop the wax from making the shiny surface of the stripes dull. But then I forgot to peel it off on one side. Ron you're right, it's really brittle now on the outer surface. You can't even peel it off, as its seared itself on there. I like the idea of trying a sign shop for advice as they install this material all the time. Hope they don't tell me I'm SOL, or its time to pull out some mineral spirits, and/or a dryer. I just have a feeling a hair dryer will melt the tape all together.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

JR,

I would use a hair dryer (not heat gun) only as a last resort pal.
This may compromise the boot tape's adhesion.

Try a spot with some good masking tape first on a small area & see if it takes off the protective coating, but only after first cleaning any residue/salt off first. I would use a small block of wood or equal to press the masking tape onto the coating well before pulling at it.

And when pulling the masking, don't pull straight up but rather, have your hand close to the surface and pull in the same direction as the boot stripe.
You don't want to pull up your striping. Try different speeds and angles of pull. Maybe one method will work better.

My boot stripe is painted on so luckily, I don't have this problem. I never much trusted tape on boats or cars as they break down over time. Add salt water & the breakdown quickens.

CR