Removing Painted Name From Hull

[Mickey Goodman]

I will be removing the old painted on name from the 88 Legend 37 I purchased. Does anyone have any experience with removing the painted on name? What product should I use that will not damage the gel coat?Should I consider a vinyl product for applying the new name or am I better off having the new name painted on?

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

That's an easy one...

Easy-Off oven cleaner will remove the painted name without harm to the gelcoat. Here are the tools you'll need:A can of Easy-Off (not the heat-activated kind)A metal kitchen spatulaFine bronze woolDetergentWaterBeer (optional)Spray only a letter or two (depending on size) liberally with Easy-Off...wait 3-5 minutes for the oven cleaner to soften the paint. Scrape with spatula (do NOT use a razorblade or anything sharper...you'll scratch the gelcoat!) About 90% of the sprayed letter(s) will come off. Spray again...and spray the next letter...wait (now you see why beer, optional, is on the list)...use the bronze wool and a little detergent and water to remove the last of the first letter(s)...and the spatula to remove 90% of the next letter(s)... Work your way down the name till you've gotten it all off. Then wash the whole area very thoroughly with detergent and water. If the name's been on very long, chances are it will leave a "ghost" where the the under the name hasn't oxydized at the same rate as the exposed gelcoat. Unless you're the impatient type who enjoys wet sanding, all you need to do to get rid of it is spray the whole area as often as possible with undiluted bleach...and let the sun even things out.Btw...I didn't make this up...it's directly from a professional sign painter who specializes in painted boat names.

 

[Jim Vincent]

....Another easy one!!

Mickey, years ago i owned a vinyl graphics business,...definitely vinyl, definitely 2 mil. high performance grade, (higher gloss, longer lasting), don't let anyone talk you into a cheaper intermediate 4 mil.calendared vinyl. i know the thickness seems backwards, but the 2 mil. is the best. i've done a lot of boats and removing painted graphics isn't fun, if you want to remove vinyl graphics, put a little heat on it with a heat gun and peel. good luck, Jim Vincent, Toucan