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Removing vinyl lettering

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cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/15/2009 : 10:44:18

Greetings at last its Friday!

After reading your forums for several years and wishing I had my own Catalina 250 to sail; I am within a couple of days of becoming an owner of a 2004 wing keel. My question to the forum is what is the best way to remove the vinyl lettering without damaging the gel coat?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2009 : 11:04:03

Congrats and Welcome!!

I used a box cutter. Just get it under the edge of th eletter and the vinyl should lift right off. No marks on my gelcoat when I was done. For parts that were ornery, A plastic scraper was all that was needed. I did this on a very warm day, and I think the sun helped soften the adhesive.

For the glue left behind, Goo-gone will remove the sticky stuff, but may discolour your gelcoat. Try a test spot first.

Once that is done you will have ashadow in the gelcoat from the previous name. Somepeople don't worry about it, but I do. If you are like me the next steps are to remove the wax from the hull (your PO polished the hull, right??) and then wetsand until the shadow is faint enough that it doesn't bother you any more.

Once the shadow is sanded out, you are ready to apply your new name. Then as soon as possible, wax the area again to seal the gelcoat.

Edited by - on

essen48183
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2009 : 11:26:25

a heat gun on low (you can get them for around $10 from harbor freight and it will be handy to have when wiring, too) and a putty knife sharpened on one side to about 30 degrees and flat on the side you face the hull with.... slightly round the sharp corners. It should come right off. Any adhesive left behind can be softened with acetone. Then alternate rubbing it with your hand and wiping it off with acetone soaked rag two or three times.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2009 : 12:34:39

I used a hair dryer and plastic scraper. We did not sand the area. I would guess that a 2004 model will not have the old name burned in and once the new name is on no one will ever even notice some faint outline that will fade even more over time.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/15/2009 12:37:04

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2009 : 13:05:54

Craig, bet you can't wait! I got a hair dryer(I have shore power to plug in) and started at top corner. Move dryer back and forth and take your finger at top edge and start to slowly pull down(guess you could so same at bottom). Careful not to break or you have to start over.
After all lettering removed, I used Goo B Gone to remove excess sticky stuff. Spray on a towel and not directly on the area.
Steve A
PS I don't trust myself using a box cutter. Maybe if I was a trained surgeon!

Edited by - piseas on 05/15/2009 13:15:03

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2009 : 13:11:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Chris, bet you can't wait! I got a hair dryer(I have shore power to plug in) and started at top corner. Move dryer back and forth and take your finger at top edge and start to slowly pull down(guess you could so same at bottom). Careful not to break or you have to start over.
After all lettering removed, I used Goo B Gone to remove excess sticky stuff.
Steve A
PS I don't trust myself using a box cutter. Maybe if you are a trained surgeon!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

(I think you meant Craig)

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cwstrang
1st Mate

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USA
78 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2009 : 14:29:59

Thanks for the advice! We are going to have a picture perfect weekend here in Oregon (sailing the Columbia River) and I don't get my boat until Wednesday.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2009 : 17:49:44

2nd the heat gun & plastic scraper method. It takes a bit of time to do so, but in the end it'll all come up. In order to get rid of the ghost images of the old lettering, I used Scrub Brite with a scrubby pad to polish away the ghosting, then came back with polishing compound & wax. You can't see the PO's boat name, but the original name can still be seen if you know where to look and the light's right. That name was burnt in by the AZ sun, and I could never make it go away completely, so I gave up.

Did you buy Kevin Mackenzie's boat?

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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.