What is the best way to safely remove stick-on lettering from the hull without causing any damage?
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Blow dryer to soften the adhesive and...
patience enough to hold the blow dryer on it till it does. A heat gun is faster, but unless you really know what you're doing with a heat gun, I don't recommend it...'cuz only want to soften the adhesive, not melt the plastic. After you get the letters off, remove the adhesive residue with a liberal application of WD-40 ...have a beer while you wait for it to work...then scrub with a plastic scrubber. Getting it all off may require two beers. Then wash well with detergent and water to clean up the WD-40.
patience enough to hold the blow dryer on it till it does. A heat gun is faster, but unless you really know what you're doing with a heat gun, I don't recommend it...'cuz only want to soften the adhesive, not melt the plastic. After you get the letters off, remove the adhesive residue with a liberal application of WD-40 ...have a beer while you wait for it to work...then scrub with a plastic scrubber. Getting it all off may require two beers. Then wash well with detergent and water to clean up the WD-40.
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Lou Phillippi
If it works.
Gregg: They are correct that using a hair dryer or heat gun will work if the vinyl is not COOKED on. If they are baked on as our cabin stripes where, the only thing that we found that would remove them was the Eraser. It is an attachment that you put on a arbor and spin it with a drill. I posted an article in the Photo Forum if you are intested in reviewing it. I would try the dryer first and see if that works for you.
Gregg: They are correct that using a hair dryer or heat gun will work if the vinyl is not COOKED on. If they are baked on as our cabin stripes where, the only thing that we found that would remove them was the Eraser. It is an attachment that you put on a arbor and spin it with a drill. I posted an article in the Photo Forum if you are intested in reviewing it. I would try the dryer first and see if that works for you.
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Virginia
Which brings up my own question...
It's not like I can take my boat out of the water to do this. Is anybody but me nervous about dangling over the side & holding a hair dryer over the water? Any hints as to how to avoid electrocution?
It's not like I can take my boat out of the water to do this. Is anybody but me nervous about dangling over the side & holding a hair dryer over the water? Any hints as to how to avoid electrocution?
Why would I be nervous about you dangling?
Virginia: Why would we be nervous about YOU dangling over the side?<g> Actually it is usually best to back the boat into the slip if possible. Weather you use the "Eraser" or "Hair Dryer" you are faced with the same delima. Jim Willis claims that Island Girl Pink will release the glue from the vinyl. You may want to try this first if you have ANY reservation about the "Dangling Syndrome". You can then scrape off the vinyl with a plastic putty knife or maybe just lift it with your finger nails. (you can order it from this web site)
Virginia: Why would we be nervous about YOU dangling over the side?<g> Actually it is usually best to back the boat into the slip if possible. Weather you use the "Eraser" or "Hair Dryer" you are faced with the same delima. Jim Willis claims that Island Girl Pink will release the glue from the vinyl. You may want to try this first if you have ANY reservation about the "Dangling Syndrome". You can then scrape off the vinyl with a plastic putty knife or maybe just lift it with your finger nails. (you can order it from this web site)
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Doug T.
Electrocution
Make sure that your hair dryer is plugged into a GFCI outlet. If it falls in the water, that breaker will trip mighty fast. If you're in the water when you drop it, you might get a small shock but it won't hurt you.
Make sure that your hair dryer is plugged into a GFCI outlet. If it falls in the water, that breaker will trip mighty fast. If you're in the water when you drop it, you might get a small shock but it won't hurt you.
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Gregg
I agree, Virginia, and thank you all.
Thanks all for your replies. I hope the hair dryer works. Virginia, I have the same situation - the boat is in the water for the season, and I will be attempting this by leaning over the side. Yikes...
Thanks all for your replies. I hope the hair dryer works. Virginia, I have the same situation - the boat is in the water for the season, and I will be attempting this by leaning over the side. Yikes...
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Greggory Brock
Let the sun do alot of the work for you
I bought my 28.5 last June and wanted to remove the name from the transome. I was able to peel off the letters easily but some of the sticky adhesive stayed on the fiberglass. I didn't want to use a blow dryer when there can be a shock hazard so I waited for a good hot day. Using a good brush, water, Soft scrub, and alot of elbow grease, I was able to scrub the remaining adhesive off. Temperature does make a difference. The adhesive comes off more easily if it's warm. It was alot of manual labor but the finished product was worth it. I hope this helps. Gregg Brock
I bought my 28.5 last June and wanted to remove the name from the transome. I was able to peel off the letters easily but some of the sticky adhesive stayed on the fiberglass. I didn't want to use a blow dryer when there can be a shock hazard so I waited for a good hot day. Using a good brush, water, Soft scrub, and alot of elbow grease, I was able to scrub the remaining adhesive off. Temperature does make a difference. The adhesive comes off more easily if it's warm. It was alot of manual labor but the finished product was worth it. I hope this helps. Gregg Brock
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