Removing old registration numbers and names

Joe11688 · Feb 20, 2009

Git-R-Done said:
Any ideas on how to get the old registration number and the old name off my new (old) boat? I tried using a razor blade, but it is scratching the gelcoat. I've heard that WD-40 works--or maybe something like Goo Gone?

There is no electricity near the boat, so a heat gun is not an immediate option.

Thanks,
Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA

I would find a way to make it an option, Bruce. An electric hair drier and a plastic putty knife will get it off. Then you can remove the glue with Goo-Gone.

sailingdog · Feb 20, 2009

Are the registration numbers vinyl stickers or painted on. BTW, there are new "plastic razor blades" that will take stickers and such off of fiberglass without scratching. If you have to use the metal ones, use some fine sandpaper and round the corners...so they don't dig in and scratch the gelcoat.

dancing bear · Feb 20, 2009

I tried to clean off my old registration numbers when it was cold out, and it was very frustrating. A little heat made this job easy. If you can't get them warmed up, I would wait it out.

Cold they break apart and leave sticky goo.
Warm, they come off clean, in one piece.

RanAweigh · Feb 20, 2009

DB is right. In spite of what you are now thinking, there is no rush to remove the old numbers or name. Waiting for warmer weather and a longer extension cord for the heat gun will make your life a bunch easier. Think of another reason to have to go to the boat to fondle her. Leave the numberectomy for another time.

caguy · Feb 20, 2009

You might want to try MEK methyl ethyl ketone (nail polish remover). Melts plastic but doesn't seem to harm gel coat. Test it first. I have used it on mine to remove peer bumper marks.

Dan H · Feb 20, 2009

You might want to try MEK methyl ethyl ketone (nail polish remover). Melts plastic but doesn't seem to harm gel coat. Test it first.

Test it first on the power boat over there, not on your boat

sloopy · Feb 20, 2009

Hair dryer

Even if I had to get an inverter to run my wife's hair dryer, or a 100' or 150' extension cord I'd use a hair dryer.
I've done this twice now and it's easy as all get out. I use a little Goof Off to get any residue off then apply the new letters, numbers, registration, whatever.

"You see a lot of foolish sailors and you see a lot of old sailors but you won't see any old foolish sailors."
sloopy
Cape Dory 25
San Diego Bay

biggio · Feb 20, 2009

I watch a guy detail the boat next to me. He used easy off oven cleaner to remove the boats old name. I believe the name was painted on.

Broke sailor SV Marcell · Feb 21, 2009

It's bad luck to change a boat's name and hailing port. I hope you are planning a ceremony that will keep the wrath of Neptune at bay.

Stu Jackson · Feb 21, 2009

Denaming Ceremony

Is here: http://www.48north.com/mr_offline/denaming.htm

catsailor · Feb 21, 2009

caguy said:
You might want to try MEK methyl ethyl ketone (nail polish remover). Melts plastic but doesn't seem to harm gel coat. Test it first. I have used it on mine to remove peer bumper marks.

Also consider xylene - I think it did a bit better that the MEK, if only because it dried a bit more slowly. Safe on Imron too.

But the main point is to wait for warm weather - even a heat gun won';t warm the hull like the sun. I too am waiting to peal some numbers.

Hermit Scott · Feb 21, 2009

I'd rather my wife and I drown slowly than ask for neptune's blessing. If the blessing is not from Jesus, I don't want it.

jackhartjr · Feb 21, 2009

Hermit Scott...just do what me and Dianne will do...substitute grape juice...like the Baptist do!
Agape
Jack-N-Dianne

Hermit Scott · Feb 21, 2009

I drink alcohol. I have no problem with that. I will not pay tribute to posidon in any way. I would literally rather die. I think dedication ceramonies are cool. People like those kinds of things and I think they are completely acceptable.
I think that people do things a lot of the time because everyone else is doing it, so it seems fine. For a non christian or athiest, a posidon ceramony is not a big deal.
I am not saying I am better than anyone else, just if you really believe something stick to it. One guy in the boat yard is convinced that posidon was coming to get him becasue he changed a name on a boat, even though he did the ritual. I was so shocked by his seriousness I couldn't even laugh.

jackhartjr · Feb 22, 2009

Hermit Scott, I am also a Christain...and I think this denaming ritual is to be taken quite lightheartedly.
I don't think we will have to account for it at the Pearly Gates.
I did hear about one guy who didn't do the denaming...rotten luck...the Bahamian Ski Team Chearleadering team barded his boat, through all the clothes overboard and made him take them home to West End!
Jack

Broke sailor SV Marcell · Feb 22, 2009

Hermit: Superstition is part of Sailings history, tradition and folklore. It's part of what makes us sailors. Otherwise you might as well be a power boater. Lighten up.

sailingdog · Feb 22, 2009

whether that is bad luck or not depends a lot on what the cheerleading team looks like..and whether they know how to sail, keep watch, varnish, etc.

.

jackhartjr said:
Hermit Scott, I am also a Christain...and I think this denaming ritual is to be taken quite lightheartedly.
I don't think we will have to account for it at the Pearly Gates.
I did hear about one guy who didn't do the denaming...rotten luck...the Bahamian Ski Team Chearleadering team barded his boat, through all the clothes overboard and made him take them home to West End!
Jack

Hermit Scott · Feb 22, 2009

I catch your sarcasm Jack, and indeed appriciate it. Yes indeed Dog, real bad luck would be the Jenny Craig cheer leading team boarding your boat throwing all their clothes over and sinking it. Leaving you with that image in your mind as you die.
I am not in an uproar or anything like that over it. But there is right and there is wrong, no in between. It reminds me of Shadrach not bowing down to worship the image Nebuchanezzar had built. Even though every one was doing it.
To some they would rather not take a chance on getting bad luck, so they do the ceramony. To me I would rather not do the ceramony in Posidon's name because I don't believe he's the one watching me while I am on the water.
This seems to be creeping toward a religious discussion, so I will post one last thing about this in this forum. If anyone would like to discuss it further, just tell me which place to go on SBO.
The whole truth of it is. I probably believe in Posidon more than any one else here. I believe there is a spiritual being that is Posidon. However I thinik this being is a demon or demons posing as a god, as with all other false gods. When you put your self under his/their authority, then you are subject to him. At least that is the way I understand it according to the bible. I have probably devoted more time to study religions and the bible more than any one subject. I didn't even believe there was a god until I was 19.
Someone told me the bible was the best selling book ever, and I wondered why.

NotCook · Feb 23, 2009

I agree with Hermit. Christian belief and superstition don't mix. You either have faith, or you don't.