Removing paint

moabarch · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject: Removing paint

Hi,
I just got home recently to Moab, UT. with our new, used 22' cruiser after driving across the country from Virginia. I managed to avoid snow but had quite an ordeal in Kansas with some huge thunderstorms. Anyway, the boat is safe at home in the desert - a 2 1/2 hr drive from Lake Powell where we will concentrate our efforts this year.
One question: We want to change the name, but the existing name is painted on. Any recommended way to remove paint without doing damage? As for the old registration numbers, I assume I scrape them off carefully?

Thanks and I look forward to seeing a lot of you on Lake Powell this fall. Feel free to think about using Moab as a stopover if you need to!

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

A hair dryer or heat gun will help with the numbers. As for the name, try a little mild paint remover and a heat gun. Be very cautious though.

Charlie

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject:

Hi Tom and Nancy,

Congrats on the new boat. I don't have experience with removing paint on a boat, but on the vinyl reg numbers, use a heat gun (or hair dryer) and get a scraper under the edge and it will come up. Careful on your fingers - even a hair dryer can get hot enough to burn you. You may have to do a light sanding to get the "shadowing" (imprint where the gel coat has not changed color) of the numbers. You may be able to use a rubbing compound and then bring the finish back up with several coats of wax and buffing.

I'm sure others here will have some paint advice.

Have fun with your new boat!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

mcc272 · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject:

Tom --

CONGRATS on getting the boat home so you can start your work. Hair dryer or heat gun will work for vinyl and you may have to use a bit of solvent for the goo that is left. 3M Adhesive Remover in the white and red can has always been my choice for that task. Also, you want a dull scraper to avoid digging in. A plastic putty knife is good. I have removed registration stickers off glossy Awlgrip this way and after doing so, you oculd not tell that they had been there.

Re the name, I have never used this myself but recall hearing that over cleaner worked well to remve painted names without damaging fiberglas. You might try it in a very small area before going too far and be prepared to rinse it off if issues develop.

Anyone else have comments on the over cleaner trick?

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

EZ Off oven cleaner does, in fact, remove painted on names from gel coat. I used it on a couple of my boats, and it works great. You may need to use a mild scotch brite pad to get all the paint off, but once the paint is softened, it will rinse off with a hose.

Don't get the cleaner on any aluminum or trim parts. And don't leave it on too long without rinsing off

Note- The fiberglass will "yellow" after the initial treatment, but will return to normal color in a few hours.

Be sure to wear rubber gloves, as this stuff is hard on hands.

mcc272 · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:56 pm Post subject:

I was doing my nightly rummaging around the web and found these -- plastic razor blades in a variety of hardnesses. The post in the link describes their use which is exactly what you need for removing registration stickers, numbers, and names. Looks like a useful and neat product.

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/003598.php

Jim

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject:

Cool product.

It's amazing what I find online, and how I start looking at one thing, and an hour later have clicked through links and wound up some place else entirely.

how did we live before the web?