Thanks for the stripe removal help..

[Slade]

Earlier this year I had asked for some tips on removing old stripes and name from my new to me Starwind 223.

I ended up using the 3M stripe off wheel..found 'em at NAPA. Went through a couple but it did remove those 25 year old stripes in about an hour.

Here's the new striping and name...thanks to all for your help!

 

[Ed Schenck]

Nice! Also found the wheel to be the best for old stripes. Are the new ones vinyl or paint?

 

[Slade]

Vinyl...from BoatUS graphics. Great price and seems to be a solid product. Slowly pulling back the top cover paper to reveal the name now on the boat was cool.

 

[MrUnix]

I ended up using the 3M stripe off wheel..found 'em at NAPA. Went through a couple but it did remove those 25 year old stripes in about an hour.

The old girl looks great! I'm surprised that you went through a couple of wheels however.. I just took off all the stripes, logos and registration numbers on my 26 year old H23 with a 3M wheel and lost less than an inch on the wheel. One thing I have discovered is that their recommended speed of 2000 rpm is WAY too fast. It seems that when you run it fast, it eats the wheel, heats the adhesive causing it to smear all over and causes you to do more work than necessary. If you run it slow, like around 600 rpm or slower, it will take the vinyl off in chunks, adhesive and all, leaving nothing but gelcoat behind. Now that I think of it, perhaps that is why they recommend the fast speed (to sell more wheels!)

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Slade]

I think that's probably what happened. I didn't get too much residue but I did get some. I told my wife that if I could invent a piece of equipment that works like a thumbnail I'd make a fortune.