Removing pin stripes from fiberglass
- Thread starter Dave Montgomery
- Start date
A plastic scraper and a hot air gun. Warm the vinyl and gently lift the vinyl off. Warm gently so as not to burn or scorch the gelcote. A large dose of patience is often helpful. Clean up the residual glue with something like Goof Off or maybe acetone.
There will be a shadow left from the original graphics and stripes. This will fade with time and polishing compound.
There will be a shadow left from the original graphics and stripes. This will fade with time and polishing compound.
If the above doesn't work a 3M wheel will, but be very careful and move slowly with it. If not careful, it can take more off than desired. Either way and as dlochner mentions, the shadow will need to be dealt with and Maine's write-up on compounding/wax will be helpful.
3M™ Stripe Off Wheel | 3M United States
Some video instructions to both methods:
Removing Decals: Tips from an expert!
3M™ Stripe Off Wheel | 3M United States
Some video instructions to both methods:
Removing Decals: Tips from an expert!
I was terrified to use an eraser wheel on my new (to me) boat a couple years ago... had never used one and thought for sure I was going to destroy the (otherwise excellent) gel-coat. After picking/scraping at some very-large vinyl letters that had been on there for 14 years, I tried the wheel and it was AMAZING. I was careful not to go way too fast, but hooked it up to a drill it worked wonders. Not a hint of damage to the gel coat after removing several feet of letters from both port and starboard topsides. In just the right light, there was a shadow of the lettering left behind (as I fully expected) from the different sun/air exposure under the letters, but I was the only one who would really notice it at the time. Now, at the end of my second season with the boat, the sun, (and two seasons/rounds of cleaning, deoxidizing, and paste-waxing) it has completely evened it out and even *I* can't see/find it. Highly recommend the eraser wheel. Start slow and build up just enough speed (and courage) until is is effective. If the area is big (I had 24 letters at about 8 inches tall each) I'd recommend using a corded drill (as I did), since it is kind of slow and tedious work and might exceed what you can get out of cordless batteries AND your shoulder won't have to hold up the heavy battery. The wheel I used was this one, but I can't say if it is any better or worse than others since it is the only one I ever used... I was very happy though: Amazon.com: AES Industries 51823 Smart Eraser Pad (Made in the USA) with Drill Adapter Arbor Made for Efficiently Removing Decals, Vinyl Graphic, Pinstripes, Adhesive and Double Faced Trim Tape: Home Improvement
Plus 1 for the rubber wheel! Used it on my boat works fantastic! Absolutely no damage, I was completely 100% satisfied with the result.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thanks all for your tips, with patience yesterday I was able to get all the strips off.
Dave
Dave