Removing vinyl Lettering from transom

[Paul Tourville]

Does anyone have information on how to remove vinyl lettering off from the transom? Also, how do you "buff out" the uv effect that shows the old name. The name has been on there for quite a few years. ThanksPaul

 

[Pete]

What worked for me

I used a hair dryer to heat the vinyl the used a razor. As far as the UV effect, I was going to try car polish. I'll let you know if it works.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

UV shadow

Sorry to say that nothing will remove ALL of the shadow but to minimize it you could try rubbing compound or very high grit wet/dry sandpaper (800 girt or more). After you get rid of most of it, polish with a buffer or rag and voila! LaDonnaPS: Pete's suggestion for removing the lettering is good.

 

[R. Palaia]

Get 2000 grit

Go to your local autoparts store and buy a couple of sheets of 2000 grit sandpaper. With the sandpaper in one hand, and a squirt bottle in the other, drench the fiberglass with water and rub lightly. Keep squirting and keep the fiberglass wet while you sand, remember light pressure. You'll be amazed at how good it will come out.Roc

 

[Brad Elbein]

Removing vinyl letters

Here's how NOT to remove vinyl lettering. DO NOT use anything hotter than a hair dryer. I personally used a hot air paint peeler, and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that it will blister gelcoat. It was quite effective, produced very nice blisters. I then tried an electric brush and a acetone, which was better.

 

[Kevin Fagan]

I did it, so can you

If you've been her awhile you'll recognize that our boat was once called Jubilee. Two weeks ago I hauled out, and prayed, and got that $&^$# old name off, completely.After washing the boat with TSP (check you area regs) I block sanded starting with 320 grit dry paper until I scuffed all of the old name off. Next came the wet sanding with 400, 600, and 1000 grit wet paper using a spray bottle to flodd the area often. I promise the scratched look will go away with each higher grade of paper. I finally compounded the area with Meguire's Heavy-Duty compound #45(?) then compounded using Starbright Medium Oxidation compound.This was my very first time doing this, but I followed the advise of several people. The results are great!! I have a mirror finish and didn't spend all day doing it. I removed names from the bow and aft sections of the boat and DO NOT have a shadow.YOU CAN DO IT!!!

 

[Gerry Hull]

Removing PAINTED letters

Just as an aside ,probably several people will need at one time or another to remove painted letters. Use "EASY OFF'oven cleaner followed by a good hosing. A superfine steel wool will loosen sny residual paint. Just be sure to get all the tiny steel wool fragments washed off as well so there will be no rust. Takes less than 10 minutes. Obviously do this only on a gelcoat boat NOT a painted one.