I just bought a 1993 Hunter 23.5, and I am considering removing the hull graphics. It consists of 2 stripes that run the length of the hull, and a large "swoosh" pattern at the stern end. Being in the sun for 11 years, I'm sure they won't give up easily. Is there an easy way (chemicals, techniques, or tools) to get them off? I recently did this on an old outboard and I couldn't believe how hard they were to get off. I am trying to avoid scraping off 1/16" at a time with a razor blade. I am also concerned with a color difference in the white gelcoat under the stickers, but assume that I can take care of this with some rubbing compound. Thanks in advance.
Removing hull graphics
- Thread starter brianb9836
- Start date
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
Bill O'Donovan
Signmaker
Your marina likely has a guy who comes around in a truck to make and remove names and such. Ask at the ship's store. Last thing you want to do is nick the gelcoat.
Your marina likely has a guy who comes around in a truck to make and remove names and such. Ask at the ship's store. Last thing you want to do is nick the gelcoat.
T
Tammy
I used a heat gun
set on low/medium and a plastic putty knife and got the ugly gray stripes off my 79 H30. It wasn't messy but was tedious as there were three stripes.
set on low/medium and a plastic putty knife and got the ugly gray stripes off my 79 H30. It wasn't messy but was tedious as there were three stripes.
Removal
I had to remove some old masking tape. I would apply strips of paper towel and soak them with different solvents. My surface was horizontal and the paper towels would keep the solvent in contact with the tape. This would be more difficult on a vertical surface. The best scraper I found was a sawn strip of plastic laminate countertop. The plastic laminate edge (glued to a particle board substrate) is very rigid but much less likely to damage than metal. It's brutally tedious no matter what you do but don't worry about color differences with the surrounding surface. The sun will take care of that in time. I'm thinking about restriping my '85 H34 and for a job of that size, Bill's advice might be the way to go.
I had to remove some old masking tape. I would apply strips of paper towel and soak them with different solvents. My surface was horizontal and the paper towels would keep the solvent in contact with the tape. This would be more difficult on a vertical surface. The best scraper I found was a sawn strip of plastic laminate countertop. The plastic laminate edge (glued to a particle board substrate) is very rigid but much less likely to damage than metal. It's brutally tedious no matter what you do but don't worry about color differences with the surrounding surface. The sun will take care of that in time. I'm thinking about restriping my '85 H34 and for a job of that size, Bill's advice might be the way to go.
W
Wright Ellis
No sweat ...
Go to an auto paint supply and purchase a rubber disk that the auto boys use to rub pinstipes off. Chuck it in a variable speed drill and rub the stripes off. It's quick, easy, neat, and can't harm your gel coat.
Go to an auto paint supply and purchase a rubber disk that the auto boys use to rub pinstipes off. Chuck it in a variable speed drill and rub the stripes off. It's quick, easy, neat, and can't harm your gel coat.
Parked it in the sun
I took off my swish. My Hunter is 1994 23.5 and by parking in the sun it heated up the sides and I was able to peel the stripes off with ease. They would come off in sections sometimes in 6 foot pieces and then sometimes 2 inch sections. It took me a total of 2 hours to remove both side. Then I repainted smaller srtipes and the name on each side. You can check it out here in the photo fourms. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73206338884&fno=17
I took off my swish. My Hunter is 1994 23.5 and by parking in the sun it heated up the sides and I was able to peel the stripes off with ease. They would come off in sections sometimes in 6 foot pieces and then sometimes 2 inch sections. It took me a total of 2 hours to remove both side. Then I repainted smaller srtipes and the name on each side. You can check it out here in the photo fourms. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73206338884&fno=17
- Status
- Not open for further replies.