Removing sail numbers

[Brad]

I'm moving up to a bigger boat that comes with a bunch of sails "donated" to the previous owner. As a result, they all have different numbers on them. They're still usable, so I'd like to remove the numbers and have the hull number of this boat put on them all, and go race! Does anyone know of a method for removing these old numbers? All the sails are laminates. Thanks in advance, Brad

 

[Lauraine3557]

Suggest you call a sail loft and ask your question

directly to them.

 

[Tim S.]

Brad,I'm going to assume that these Sail #'s are the Insignia, or self adhesive type. The adhesive is quite tenacious, otherwise we would have to sew them on. Depending on the age of the sails and the assuming that these are laminates with mylar on both sides. Try simply, and slowly peeling them off. If not too old, they may peel right off. Quite often, if old, the # fabric will come off and leave the adhesive residue.If this is the case, you can use something like Goo-Be-Gone or even some mineral spirits to remove most of the residue. If you are a bit shy about trying this, Check with your local sailmaker, you have Doyle and UK on City Island.Good Luck

 

[Brad Stone]

Thanks, Tim...

I'm actually a customer of Doyle, City Island and they'll be doing the new numbers and some shaping up. They'd said removal could be tough and/or messy, so just thought I'd put the question out here and see if there was some little known magic around. Thanks, Brad

 

[Stu Sauer]

Turpentine

Try turpentine on a small clean rag as you peel back the number. Do not use stronger solvents like Acetone as the seams on some (mylar)sails are glued and stitched. I did not attempt to remove adhesive backed sailcloth spreader protection patches (they dont line up with my lowers but they seem too strongly bonded.