Decal

[millz90]

Can any one tell me how to get the decal off of the side of the hull with out scratching the paint? I tried to start it and then peel it off but it is so brittle that it keeps breaking?

Is there some kind of chemical that i can use?

 

[katricol]

You can try using a hair dryer to heat it up and soften it, this worked for me. If you use this search feature top right of this page you will see other suggestions. There is a wheel by 3m you can buy but I don't remember the name of it

 

[Zklink5150]

I just posted about this, Search thread; stripe removal great success.

 

[Hampton]

Blow dryer with plastic scraper followed by solvent to remove the goo. The stripping wheel seems to work well if not spun too fast. To much heat from any source can burn the gel. It's not a real easy job, but it is the first step to putting on new stripes to make the boat look new again.

 

[JimT]

I used a heat gun on the low setting followed by acetone to get the glue off.

 

[millz90]

I used a heat gun on the low setting followed by acetone to get the glue off.

Gotcha. I did get all of the decals off buti still have the residue left and needed something to get that off. So the acetone will NOT pull off any of the gel coat right?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Gotcha. I did get all of the decals off buti still have the residue left and needed something to get that off. So the acetone will NOT pull off any of the gel coat right?

Correct. It may "haze" it some. But you can buff it right back very easily.

PS: Thanks to the other threads about the 3M tool, I tried it this weekend. Pulled off all my striping with heat gun, the 3M tool made FAST work of the residue - almost as fast as I could walk. Awesome tool!

 

[millz90]

Correct. It may "haze" it some. But you can buff it right back very easily.

PS: Thanks to the other threads about the 3M tool, I tried it this weekend. Pulled off all my striping with heat gun, the 3M tool made FAST work of the residue - almost as fast as I could walk. Awesome tool!

I looked for the 3M wheel but couldnt find it so i was stuck with a pink blow dryer, a blade and a scraper! :smt009

 

[Sherman Moore]

Well this is what I did on an '89 with baked on strip. Gel paint removed. Yep. work in an area about 5 feet long. Removes the tape a second coat removes the glue. After the final removal wash with soap and water then buff/wax. Will not affect the gelcoat. You'll remove 30' strip in about an hour. You can use a plastic "bondo" spreader and make you final clean up eaiser. Got to remove more an I'll try to video it and post it here. Its faster that the heat gun or the 3M buffer dohickey to removes strips.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Well this is what I did on an '89 with baked on strip. Gel paint removed. Yep. work in an area about 5 feet long. Removes the tape a second coat removes the glue. After the final removal wash with soap and water then buff/wax. Will not affect the gelcoat. You'll remove 30' strip in about an hour. You can use a plastic "bondo" spreader and make you final clean up eaiser. Got to remove more an I'll try to video it and post it here. Its faster that the heat gun or the 3M buffer dohickey to removes strips.

Boy, I don't know about it being faster :huh:. On my 260, I did (4) full length boot stripes, (2) small, 3/4 length stripes above the rubrail and (2) Sundancer decals. Heat gun, then finished with the 3M tool. Right about 2 hours.

Millz, if you really want to get one, let me know and I'll order it for you. I should be able to ship it for $5.

 

[Nehalennia]

I recommend a 1/2" wood dowel cut on a bias or 45 degree cut. Make sure it's smooth. Makes quick work of most decals and won't scratch.

 

[millz90]

Thanks Daze but i have it all off now.
The issue im having now is that there is a slight sillowet of the orignal deacl that i cant get off? I wet sanded it pretty good and then polished and buffed and you can still see it. Any ideas how to get that off or do i just need to get a new decal which covers it?...lol

 

[millz90]

I recommend a 1/2" wood dowel cut on a bias or 45 degree cut. Make sure it's smooth. Makes quick work of most decals and won't scratch.

Thats a good idea! I never though of that.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks Daze but i have it all off now.
The issue im having now is that there is a slight sillowet of the orignal deacl that i cant get off? I wet sanded it pretty good and then polished and buffed and you can still see it. Any ideas how to get that off or do i just need to get a new decal which covers it?...lol

The "haze" is actually preserved gel coat. Meaning, everything else has faded. There also may be a slight ridge - the part that was under the decal may be higher than the surrounding from years of buffing wearing away the gel. With enough block sanding, you may get rid of the ridge - but leave that to a pro as the gel is very thin. Even then, it may not disappear completely.