Removing Old Painted lettering

[charlesk16]

I have searched the forums about this but did not find a answer.
Need to remove previous owners boat name from transom.
Several people have told me to use "Easy off oven cleaner". Just wanted to ask around about using this stuff. How much if any will it damage the gel coat on my 1982 Boat. I know I will have to compiound the whole area after.
ANY ideas will be appreciated.

 

[fwebster]

It won't damage the gelcoat, but I've found it better to do several attempts with light coats of oven cleaner rather than spraying a bunch on at one time and having the oven cleaner run everywhere. If you have anything sensitive around the painted name you should mask it off or keep it wet and wash the oven cleaner off when it hits rather then waiting. Examples would be: fabrics, other painted areas, manufacturer's decals, teak trim, teak covering boards, teak platform inserts.

Since you will need to compound the area when you are done, a light abrasive pad, like a green 3M pad, scrubbing only the paint will help.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I don't know about the chemistry of oven cleaner, so no help there.

Acetone is used to clean and prep gelcoat repairs. It is also the active ingredient in fingernail polish remover. I'd try a small amount of nail polish remover to see if that works. I'm suggesting the nail polish remover because it has stuff in it to slow down the evaporation and reduce damage to skin. If that dose't work you can always go with full strength Acetone.

Henry

 

[Zklink5150]

Acetone is the answer without a doubt. It needs elbow grease, and time, but will remove it with no problems.

 

[quattrogeek]

Another option is to use 2000 grit or other extremely fine sandpaper and wet sand it gently until it's gone.

 

[charlesk16]

Thanks to all your replies. I will try the Acetone first, as I have some of that. Wet sanding may work too.
Will let you know how I make out with it.

Thanks, Again

 

[DeBlasi]

Just saw this post. I had to do that on my '84 earlier this year. Honestly, I used Easy Off and it worked perfect. I use acetone on other areas where they may be a dried up droplet of teak oil or a stain. Acetone works great too, but if you leave it on too long, big problem. For me, the minute the Easy Off hit the lettering, ink came right off.

My gelcoat appeared to be yellowish after. But someone told me after waxing that would diminish in a day. It did. So if you ask me, Easy Off.

 

[fwebster]

Acetone can craze or attack the gelcoat surface. On older boats weather has taken its toll and there may not be any room for error with acetone. There certainly isn't room for error with sanding. Gelcoat repairs are difficult on older boats because of fading. You will he very very lucky if you can find a fiberglass repair guy who can match a 25 ear old boat.

Take the easy and safe way, even though it sounds screwy........use Easy Off