Striping Issues

[hercguy]

I have a 1994 Hunter 23.5 and am in the process of removing the old striping to include the swoosh, clean, and wax the hull and deck. After browsing this forum I bought the 3M wheel and it works great getting the old striping off. The only problem is that it leaves a residue that is the color of the stripe and makes a mess. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to clean up the residue mess and get the rest of the striping off and prepped for new stripes? Thanks.

 

[Chief RA]

Deck cleaner works! Gas? Chief

 

[hercguy]

Thanks, I'll try that tomorrow. What I found that works really well is a high pressure washer with a very fine, high pressure stream. It takes most of the decals off and leave very little residue.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to blend the "new" fiberglass that was hidden under the decals with the exposed fiberglass? I know it will be a slightly different shade of white but what I'm trying to do is minimize the difference. Will cleaning and waxing the hull help out?

Thanks.

 

[spraygun]

To avoid that residue. You need to move the stripe removal wheel from right to left only. The wheel needs to turn into itself. Secondly do not press down at all. Its should float along the surface .Let the friction do the work. The wheel should be perfectly round when the job is done. If it's starting to lose its shape, or get oval. You're pressing too hard. Third, go very slow. That may solve some of your problems of residue. Any cleaning solvent will wipe off any residue. Compound the area for new stripes.

 

[Chief RA]

I was busy doing my hull today so was brief with my reply. Exhausted and done for the day now. I am using 600 and 1000 wet sandpaper to remove the gloss from under the stripes and decals. Do be careful though! After rubbing down the glossy stuff its time to get your wallet out and buy the "3m Finesse it II marine glaze" on Amazon. Use a buffer with it and it is supposed to come out great with no discernable difference in the white gel coat. Then wax it!
Chief

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Removing that striping after years on a boat is not easy. There are many methods but what it is worth, adhesive residue will be still attached to the gel coat. First never use a high water pressure unit on any gel coat which is not good. You will need to use a good solvent and yes acetone does work and will not hurt that gel coat but constant changing of the rags will help as the residue comes off and onto the rags. Once off, I use to slightly sand like Chief suggested with 400 or higher grade wet and dry sandpaper only. I would then use a fine compound which I always like Finese It by 4M in the paste only using a buffer at low speed back and forth so not to burn the gel coat and then used a cleaner wax and final pure wax by Melges. Ok this is a lot of work but you can get the gist of things here.

 

[BrianW]

Do what Crazy Dave says. Remember, however, once you remove the stripe and adhesive, there will still be a shadow of stripe left. This area under the stripe is NOT discolored..... It is the rest of your hull that is discolored. The stripe simply protected your gel coat from the elements that discolored the rest of your hull. The shadow will eventually fade within a few months. BrianW

 

[spraygun]

The shadow won't matter. He's putting new stripes back on.

 

[Chief RA]

If you check out the new boats you will notice that striping is not being used much anymore. I do not want anymore stripes on mine! I am trying to work the shadow concept down to not see them. My arms are killing me though.

Hey, Crazy Dave has his own new company now! Notice in his blurb that he is using the famous "4M" company now! ha Just teasing Dave, we appreciate you help.
Chief

 

[seadaddler]

Plastic blade

I used these plastic razor blade and holder on removing my 2007 stripes,only the ones that dried up not all and than acetone to clean residue.
I got new striping from here this forum to match all my other stripes and the new striping has a clear coating that also needs removing after you put new stripes on and think the factory did not remove this clear coat and that is what was cracking.
Nick

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Chief;

Sir! I have a gang plank and concrete boots. Would you like to volunteer. Hardy har har

crazy dave

 

[hercguy]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't realize the gelcoat was that delicate that a high pressure washer would cause damage. Fortunately, I didn't cause any damage and am returning to good old fashioned elbow grease. As far as the shadowing, I'm really only concerned about the swoosh because I am going to replace the stripes with the same sized stripes only a different color and spanning the length of the hull.

Does acetone harm the gel coat? I tried the 3M adhesive remover and haven't had any luck.


Can't wait to get this project done and get out on the lake.

 

[spraygun]

You need a solvent that evaporates at a very slow rate. Acetone would evaporate too fast. if you can't find a very slow paint thinner or reducer for paint. You can use bug and tar remover. That seems to be available anywhere. Wear gloves and get a rag wet and keep several feet at a time wet. Then you can use a plastic razor blade to scrape it off. If you can't find plastic razor blades. You can use a plastic scraper .The glue from the tape will turn to a gel .Then you can just easily remove it. The key is to wet the adhesive with a very very slow solvent. But you have to keep several feet or more at a time wet. The 3M should work fine for you. It is basically the bug and tar remover anyway.

 

[hercguy]

Got half the boat prepped. Hopefully finish port side tomorrow. That's for all the input.........helps a lot.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Acetone worked for me as a dealer and did not harm the gel coat but use a lot of throw away rags. I use to buy the yellow box of 200 from Lowes just to let you know what I am talking about. Good advice in and do wear protection or gloves when removing the residue. Acetone or any removal material is harmful.

 

[Chief RA]

Got the port side stripes off yesterday. It was a tough day! Will wet sand with 600 today to get the shadow off. All of the stick on stripes and lettering has been removed. I have red 5" boat numbers, name (Compass Rose) in 6" letters and a 8" compass rose decal to put on it when I finish the surface.. I think it will look great without those damn stripes! Gas works to remove the glue. Thanks Dave, and all of you for your help/ Chief

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The striping on the 23.5 was left up to the design of a woman but never cared for them.

One design of a decale for a sailboat that I once sold of course larger was a sub on the surface moving forward into the sunset with a wolf's head noticeable to the left with a spray of water from the bow of a the Seawolf.

 

[hercguy]

Project is coming along. As usual, one project has turned into 10 but will be getting it on the lake this weekend.

3M eraser with acetone worked best. A good hull clean and wax with a rubbing compound around the swoosh pretty well as well.

 

[Chief RA]

I got my hull done with no stick on stuff left. I can't get the striping "new" gelcoat to sand down and match the rest of the boat no matter what I do. Will put the name and numbers where the stripes used to be but still will have the stripes showing in between. I can't spend much more time on it as I have lots to do before launch. May have to skip the Lake Oroville launching and take her straight to sea. My Isotherm 2.3 reefer came in a couple days ago. Fun, fun, fun, Chief

 

[Steve Dion]

GooGone, acetone, gasket remover...