Hello everyone, I will be removing the worn vinyl stripe on my hull this year. Trying to come up with a game plan. What is the best and safest way of removing the stripe? Also, I was considering painting a new one on vs. another vinyl stripe. Thanks again for the input! The advice from this site has always helped.
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another option.
Tom: Another option is a Wallpaper Steamer. If someone has one maybe you can borrow it. If not check with Home Depot, Target. One inexpensive brand is the "WAGNER 705 POWER STEAMER". Our sign guy at the marina knocked off the stripes on my Hunter Vision 36 in less than 1/2 hour. I have used the eraser and this is easier and cleaner too. Total investment is under $60 (if your time is worth anything). If it does not work, just return it to the store and get your money back.
Tom: Another option is a Wallpaper Steamer. If someone has one maybe you can borrow it. If not check with Home Depot, Target. One inexpensive brand is the "WAGNER 705 POWER STEAMER". Our sign guy at the marina knocked off the stripes on my Hunter Vision 36 in less than 1/2 hour. I have used the eraser and this is easier and cleaner too. Total investment is under $60 (if your time is worth anything). If it does not work, just return it to the store and get your money back.
I've had success with
a heat gun. I removed what seemed like a half mile of vinyl tape from Dalliance last spring. Five colors applied by the previous owner, some in multiple layers. Assuming your vinyl stripe is applied over gel coat and not a paint finish: Use the lowest temperature setting, just enough to soften the adhesive. Keep it moving so you dont overheat the gel coat. Use a plastic scaper to lift the end of tape so you can pull it off by hand. If the tape is in real bad shape, you may need to gently scrape it off with the plastic scaper. Again, keep the heat gun moving. There will be some adhesive left behind. Clean if off with MEK and rags. Acetone works too, but it evaporates faster and doesn't give as much time to work. I went with new vinyl stripes and graphics. I like the flexibility and application was a breeze.
a heat gun. I removed what seemed like a half mile of vinyl tape from Dalliance last spring. Five colors applied by the previous owner, some in multiple layers. Assuming your vinyl stripe is applied over gel coat and not a paint finish: Use the lowest temperature setting, just enough to soften the adhesive. Keep it moving so you dont overheat the gel coat. Use a plastic scaper to lift the end of tape so you can pull it off by hand. If the tape is in real bad shape, you may need to gently scrape it off with the plastic scaper. Again, keep the heat gun moving. There will be some adhesive left behind. Clean if off with MEK and rags. Acetone works too, but it evaporates faster and doesn't give as much time to work. I went with new vinyl stripes and graphics. I like the flexibility and application was a breeze.
Another Suggestion
I used the plastic scraper and heat gun on low setting on our 31 Hunter cabin. Worked great, but took some time. Used Acetone to clean up, but takes several times to get all of the glue off. If your boat is of any age, you will be able to see where the old strip was, so shouldn't be any trouble to put the new one on. But my suggestion is to use water pressure. I have a 2650 lb. pressure washer I use sometimes to clean my boat. This will take the vinyle strip off with no problem. I discovered this by mistake, took some of mine off. But you will have to go behind and clean with Acetone or MEK. Good Luck, Robert "As Time Goes By" St. Louis, MO
I used the plastic scraper and heat gun on low setting on our 31 Hunter cabin. Worked great, but took some time. Used Acetone to clean up, but takes several times to get all of the glue off. If your boat is of any age, you will be able to see where the old strip was, so shouldn't be any trouble to put the new one on. But my suggestion is to use water pressure. I have a 2650 lb. pressure washer I use sometimes to clean my boat. This will take the vinyle strip off with no problem. I discovered this by mistake, took some of mine off. But you will have to go behind and clean with Acetone or MEK. Good Luck, Robert "As Time Goes By" St. Louis, MO
eraser requires caution
When using the eraser you have to keep it moving and not allow it to remain too long in one spot. It will overheat the gelcoat and I had it pop little dings in the gelcoat if I got careless and left it on one spot. Otherwise it worked very well.
When using the eraser you have to keep it moving and not allow it to remain too long in one spot. It will overheat the gelcoat and I had it pop little dings in the gelcoat if I got careless and left it on one spot. Otherwise it worked very well.
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