I thought the name "Dawn Treader" was painted on my C-25 but close inspection revealed that it is actually custom made, pre-cut, tape lettering. It's old so has faded quite a bit and needs replacement. My local boat detailer suggested heating it with a hair dryer and peeling it off but that didn't work. Now he suggests a heat gun. Anybody ever used one? Any chance I could damage my gelcoat/hull? Anyone have any other ideas? Thanks, Andy Moser
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Mike Turner
Mineral Spirits, etc.
I've used mineral spirits and/or WD-40 to remove decals and letters -- first I wet the decal down then used a scraper to remove (either a plastic putty knife or an automotive window-ice scraper work well). Mineral spirits are particularly good for removing gummy residue from gelcoat after you've got the decals off. Mike Turner S/Y Amity
I've used mineral spirits and/or WD-40 to remove decals and letters -- first I wet the decal down then used a scraper to remove (either a plastic putty knife or an automotive window-ice scraper work well). Mineral spirits are particularly good for removing gummy residue from gelcoat after you've got the decals off. Mike Turner S/Y Amity
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Roger
Goo Gone!
My wife suggested some new stuff called "GOO GONE". It really works! No fooling! You've got to soak the piece to be removed well enough with Goo Gone and just slouogh it off. I liked it so much I bought the big container and use it to destick everything that needs unsticking. We boaught it at the local Craft store> Good luck!
My wife suggested some new stuff called "GOO GONE". It really works! No fooling! You've got to soak the piece to be removed well enough with Goo Gone and just slouogh it off. I liked it so much I bought the big container and use it to destick everything that needs unsticking. We boaught it at the local Craft store> Good luck!
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Brad Williams
Painful work....but worth it.
I had vinyl letters just as you describe. I didn't have access to an electrical source to power a hair dryer. I CAREFULLY scrapped off the letters with a razor scrapper. I say carefully because it's easy to nick the gelcoat. When I got the vinyl off, there was a gooey residue....I used goof off (maybe it's goo off, but I thought it was goof off, really). I still have a little fading that is obvious where the old letters were and where it isn't covered by the new name. AND....don't forget the de-naming/re-naming ceromony. Best of Luck, Brad
I had vinyl letters just as you describe. I didn't have access to an electrical source to power a hair dryer. I CAREFULLY scrapped off the letters with a razor scrapper. I say carefully because it's easy to nick the gelcoat. When I got the vinyl off, there was a gooey residue....I used goof off (maybe it's goo off, but I thought it was goof off, really). I still have a little fading that is obvious where the old letters were and where it isn't covered by the new name. AND....don't forget the de-naming/re-naming ceromony. Best of Luck, Brad
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
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f sondergaard
Acetone
We removed our name with a razor (carefully) and used acetone to remove anything sticky. There were a few spots I hand sanded with extra extra fine sandpaper. Good luck!
We removed our name with a razor (carefully) and used acetone to remove anything sticky. There were a few spots I hand sanded with extra extra fine sandpaper. Good luck!
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
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Bruce Cain
Name remover
After trying most of the remedies that everyone else has tried to remove some old vinyl lettering from my boat, I talked to a boat yard painter and he turned me on to a gum rubber wheel that you use in a drill. Using the edge of the wheel it peels the vinyl off without leaving any residue behind. Unfortunatly, I don't have the wheel anymore so I can't give you the name. A boat yard whould be able to tell you though.
After trying most of the remedies that everyone else has tried to remove some old vinyl lettering from my boat, I talked to a boat yard painter and he turned me on to a gum rubber wheel that you use in a drill. Using the edge of the wheel it peels the vinyl off without leaving any residue behind. Unfortunatly, I don't have the wheel anymore so I can't give you the name. A boat yard whould be able to tell you though.
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Brad Elbein
The truth about removing aname
I hope I'm not too late to save you a major hassle. I tried for months to get the vinyl letters off my boat. I tried everything listed here: mineral spirits, acetone, sanding, scraping and a heat gun. No luck except for various scratches, gouges and burns (and then there's what I did to the gelcoat). Finally someone whispered the secret to me: oven cleaner. Easy off takes it off. No muss, no fuss, a very minimal amount of shadowing, and the gelcoat and your fingers remain intact.
I hope I'm not too late to save you a major hassle. I tried for months to get the vinyl letters off my boat. I tried everything listed here: mineral spirits, acetone, sanding, scraping and a heat gun. No luck except for various scratches, gouges and burns (and then there's what I did to the gelcoat). Finally someone whispered the secret to me: oven cleaner. Easy off takes it off. No muss, no fuss, a very minimal amount of shadowing, and the gelcoat and your fingers remain intact.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Shadow has to do with age
Brad, The shadow left behind after removing old vinyl is more related to the age of the gelcoat than what you used to remove it. The gelcoat under the vinyl is protected from the damaging UV rays of the sun (I sound like a sunscreen commercial!) while the surrounding gelcoat deteriorates. LaDonna
Brad, The shadow left behind after removing old vinyl is more related to the age of the gelcoat than what you used to remove it. The gelcoat under the vinyl is protected from the damaging UV rays of the sun (I sound like a sunscreen commercial!) while the surrounding gelcoat deteriorates. LaDonna
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