Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Removing old vinyl from boat hull		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Bruce Baker
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
402 Posts
Initially Posted - 02/20/2009 :  11:07:36  Show Profile
Any ideas on how to get the old registration number and the old name off my new (old) boat? I tried using a razor blade, but it is scratching the gelcoat. I've heard that WD-40 works--or maybe something like Goo Gone?

There is no electricity near the boat, so a heat gun is not an immediate option.

Thanks,
Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK
Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 02/20/2009 :  11:12:07  Show Profile
Goo Gone or Goof Off will both work. I usually try to peel as much of the sticker off first then clean up the left over adhesive with Goof Off.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

Members Avatar

844 Posts
Response Posted - 02/20/2009 :  11:57:17  Show Profile
WD-40 can be replaced with PB Blaster, a much superior product. Hardware stores carry it.

Folks have had also success in using oven cleaner.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2402 Posts
Response Posted - 02/20/2009 :  12:21:30  Show Profile
I used Oven Cleaner on paint.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 02/20/2009 :  13:17:40  Show Profile
From my attempts at things like that, it appeared that solvents didn't help much--they can't penetrate the vinyl. A plastic scraper, like an ice scraper for your car, is safer than a razor blade--keep he beveled side toward the surface so the blade doesn't tend to dig. Then a solvent can remove the residue, and a cleaner-wax or light-duty rubbing compound can minimize the "ghosts".
Edited by - Dave Bristle on 02/20/2009 13:20:03
Go to Top of Page

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 02/20/2009 :  14:00:01  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
I used Goo Gone and scraper on mine to get the old OR registration numbers off, but the best method on the name graphics was with a heat gun. I was never able to completely get rid of the ghost name of the PPO's, it was baked on in the Arizona sun apparently. I was able to get rid of the PO's name ghost pretty easily with just wax & elbow grease.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 02/20/2009 :  15:41:17  Show Profile
Since you can't use a heat gun, try one of those chemical heat pads that you can find at most sport/ski/hunter supply shops. I think theyd get warm enoughto work. Hold it against the vinyl, then use a plastic scraper, and repeat until it comes off. S little heat, a little scrape, etc., etc. Then use the adhesive remover of your choice (WD-40 is my choice)to get off the residual sticky stuff.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 02/20/2009 :  21:46:06  Show Profile
I used a heat gun with no problem. Soften while scraping into the heat so you can tell when it's warm enough without over heating. Clean thoroughly and buff. The sun will take care of the ghost over time.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 02/21/2009 :  12:34:47  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Bruce Baker</i>
<br />There is no electricity near the boat, so a heat gun is not an immediate option.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
1091 Posts
Response Posted - 02/21/2009 :  18:02:43  Show Profile  Visit Steve Blackburn's Homepage
Heating it up is the best way and very easy to remove old vinyl. What you could use is a heater than attaches to a small propane tank. If you live in a cold area, the heater could be a good purchase for later as well. I recommend the Mr.Buddy lines since they have low oxygen emergency auto shutoffs.

When I purchased my new "old" boat it had the worst looking cheap vinyl lettering I have ever seen in my life. The letters were green with a kind of silver sprinkles all around. My eyes couldn't believe it. Ghosting was a problem and even heavy duty rubbing compound couldn't get rid of it. So I used 600 grit wet sandpaper with a block and went lightly with water. I removed maybe the thickness of half a hair of gel coat. You cant even say it was ever there even with your nose stuck to it.

So you're kinda renovating her? Maybe this can be helpful in terms of motivation:


The day we bought our boat. Was called bittersweet and it just sounded negative to me at the time. Notice the nice job on tieing the shrounds around the mast and everything. Isn`t she lovely? NOT.


After removing all old decals (even from the windows) and old ablative paint.


With new VC-17 bottom paint and lettering. Notice the lettering matches pretty close the catalina blue stripes. Spent lots of time in the cabin and removed rust spots all over the cockpit. I'm guessing the rust was from leaving tools and paint cans on the boat in the rain. To remove rust spots from the non-skid area, use a small fingernail brush with heavy duty rubbing compound (I used marine 3M). People at my sailing club think the boat is brand new, and so do I!
Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 02/21/2009 18:13:27
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.