Replacing name and port lettering

[Smitty]

The vinyl lettering for Chikara's name and hailing port is several years old and fading and beginning to look a little the worse for wear. I want to replace it and I have 2 questions
1) the [dis]advantages of painted lettering vs vinyl?
2) in either case, how can I clean off the transom after removing the old lettering or will there always be ghosts of the old? The new will likely not be the same font and certainly won't exactly cover the same area as the old.

-- Smitty

 

[RAD]

Easy off oven cleaner works the best for removing the lettering along with a plastic razor blade, I wet sanded and polished my transom and where the painted lettering was at some time,if you looked real hard the outline could be seen

http://www.scraperite.com/

 

[Scott T-Bird]

The ghost of Sara from Spring, Texas can still be seen on our boat. The second name of Mixed Blessings from Sea Bright, NJ disappeared quickly (it was painted on). I think the second owners had the boat for 11 years before we bought her. That would make it about 18 years since she was Sara.

 

[BobM]

I second the opinion that you will have to wet sand if you wish to minimize the ghost of the old name. I only changed the home port, but it is clearly visible and I didn't wet sand.

 

[gpd955]

Used Sticker Off and found that it worked incredibly easy, fast and there was absolutely no ghosting left. WM has it for about $7.

Pic 1 is after using the Sticker Off and Pic 2 is after application of new graphics. Didn't think of taking the "before" one with the ghost lettering "Bowleys Quarters, MD"

 

[capjules]

vinyl is cheap, looks good and you can do it your self.

unless you're an artist you'll need to hire someone to paint it on if you want it to
look good.

I have always used vinyl.

 

[Smitty]

Used Sticker Off and found that it worked incredibly easy, fast and there was absolutely no ghosting left. WM has it for about $7.

Pic 1 is after using the Sticker Off and Pic 2 is after application of new graphics. Didn't think of taking the "before" one with the ghost lettering "Bowleys Quarters, MD"

How long had the old lettering been on?

 

[gpd955]

10 years.

 

[All U Get]

I know the owners of this business in Pa. and received instructions on removing and applying new vinyl letters. They used to be in the boat business and understand gelcoat issues.
http://www.insignout.us/products_services.html
I placed ours on from the dingy in the evening and only had two tiny bubbles.
All U Get