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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Removing Old Letters from Hull

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bakbone
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/16/2006 : 06:39:07

How does one go about removing the sticky backing substance left behind on your hull after a long painful time of removing the vinyl letters via scraping that is sometimes used in the name of ones boat?

Any suggestions short of using either c-4 or a blow torch would be greatly appreciated?

Bruce

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 07:18:05

I used a heat gun and scraper to remove my 22 year old letters. The glue residue and shadow of the letters remained. I tried thinner then acetone then goof off all to no avail. I finally sanded the gel coat with 150 grit. It is mostly gone now and the new name is going on tomorrow. It will cover the old name but I wonder how Neptune will feel about it.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 07:34:15

Acetone or Goo Gone

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 08:19:06

What Duane suggested works the best, but if you don't have the Acetone or Goo Gone handy, WD-40 has been known to remove the glue residue in some cases.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 08:23:16

I just used Goof Off yesterday. I pulled my compass and nothign to cover the hole with except Duct tape. I reluctantly covered the hole with the silver tape knowing that it was going to storm that night. I could not get back to the boat for almost a week (yesterday) I pulled the tape and it left ALL of the glue on the boat. I have it cleaned up in five minutes with the Goof Off. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Cloudveil
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 12:20:22

West marine sells product called Vinyl Stripe Remover ((343097),
and one called Adhesive Remover (#1979327). The Vinyl Stripe
remover is by 3M, so I imagine it would be available locally
at paint stores, etc. Good Luck!

John Wood
'89 C25WK #5973 "Uzumati".

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 12:51:58

Acetone...carefully.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 13:45:53

While I agree with you in principle Bert, Acetone gets a bad rap. Yes it can degrade the gel coat over time, but we are talking about guys who routinely clean the glass with Acetone, don't rinse the area well and basically use it over any other cleaner - - as well as never wax anything.

When using in moderation, it is no different that any of the other products mentioned on fiberglass...and at least it works.

dw

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 14:43:55

I've always removed the adhesive from state registration stickers with paint thinner or mineral spirits.

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2006 : 18:29:09

Duane...agree, that's why I said "carefully." I use it often on different surfaces, and if used properly, it's great stuff.

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bakbone
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2006 : 10:55:55

After much debate around the house, I decided yesterday to go with the goo (since the admiral had some around the house already, I decided to try that first). Surprisingly, on the starboard side hull (where the letters were more cracked and appeared more worn) the removal went relatively easy with very little elbow grease added. But it was found that by using small swerling motions, the glue balled up more easily and came off with ease!

The port side however I soon discovered required a whole lot more of the goo (which by the way is mostly made up of ethyl alcohol). By almost continually pouring it on the boat and wiping it up as fast as one could, the glue finally I guess dissolved or evaporated! Anyhow, I'm sold on the goo and will stock some more (since I used all of hers and she insisted that I replenish her supply), immediately!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, but I've found the goo makes the glue gone!

Bruce

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.