Removing Old Registration Numbers

[Ka1oxd]

My auto mechanic, who is also a boater, let me borrow what he called an eraser. He bought it for removing decals on cars. It is like a high speed 90 degree drill with a big rubber wheel. The rubber wheel is made of material similar to an eraser. It cleaned the stripping right off the boat with out much work at all. A lot better than using a chisel to scrape it off. Anything that was left, like the adhesive, came off with denatured alcohol.

 

[Lazy Daze]

My auto mechanic, who is also a boater, let me borrow what he called an eraser. He bought it for removing decals on cars. It is like a high speed 90 degree drill with a big rubber wheel. The rubber wheel is made of material similar to an eraser. It cleaned the stripping right off the boat with out much work at all. A lot better than using a chisel to scrape it off. Anything that was left, like the adhesive, came off with denatured alcohol.

It's made by 3M and it is indeed a wonderful tool. However, for striping/numbers that are in decent shape, it's still quicker to pull them off with a little heat. But, definitely a "cool tool".

Where that tool really shines is when the striping gets old and brittle. When you try to pull brittle stuff off, it keeps coming off in little pieces - very frustrating.

 

[PLAYPEN II]

Hair Dryer. Heat them up and they peal right off.

 

[cyc boater]

I want to thank everyone with their suggestions. It's amazing how well the hair dryer helped! You just need to heat those numbers up and they pealed right off without any problem. What little adhesive residue was left behind, I used a product from West Marine called "Sticker Off". Just rub it in a little wait a minute then rub it off. Cleaned the area with a Biodegradable Cleaner (boat is sitting in it's slip) and but on the new registration numbers using the masking tab technique to make sure they were straight. Job done! The weather in Upstate South Carolina has finally turned nice so for a reward took myself on a little boat ride. The 210 Sundeck is a lot different then my old 270 DA and fun to drive. Not that the 270 wasn't fun it is just a different ride.
Thanks again for the help.
Ralph
CYC Boater

 

[LTD.330]

Probably isn't the best choice, but I find a little acetone does wonders. I only use it when changing the registration stickers and immediately wax the area after applying the new sticker.