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Author Topic:   Decal Removal Tips

unsinkable_2000 posted 04-06-2013 05:12 PM ET (US)
I need to remove the raised gel-type decals on my Nantucket 190. They catch on bumpers and have become worn and look dried out. I am ordering a traditional flat set to replace them. Anyone have a good method on removing these decals? Any and all insight always appreciated.
Jeff posted 04-06-2013 06:04 PM ET (US)
Use a hair dryer to heat them up as you are pealing them off. Makes it WAY easier. Clean the area up with acetone.
Ferdinando posted 04-06-2013 08:09 PM ET (US)
I just used a single blade razor to pick up the corner and they peeled right off without breaking.
Fred
jay18 posted 04-07-2013 09:02 AM ET (US)
You are best off using a plastic putty knife to scrape them of instead of a razor blade. Less chance of scratching gelcoat. Acetone works in a snap to remove old adhesive, but some Goo Gone will do the job and is much easier to work with. My .02...
Jeff posted 04-07-2013 01:50 PM ET (US)
Goo gone works but leaves an oil based residue. That residue should be cleaned off with a lacquer thinner or acetone before installing the new decal to insure it gets the best adhesion possible.
unsinkable_2000 posted 04-07-2013 07:35 PM ET (US)
Thank You all so much for the great advice. Weather is warming up and time to get busy getting boats ready for the spring.
humboldt jim posted 04-15-2013 11:43 AM ET (US)
I just used the 3M eraser wheel on my old, cracked striping and it did the job quite nicely. Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-7498-STRIPE-WHEEL-W-ARBOR/dp/B00063VT0G
Tom W Clark posted 04-15-2013 11:58 AM ET (US)
Heat gun or hair dryer on the decals to soften up the adhesive and then use your finger nail to catch and edges and peel them off. Do not use a razor blade or any steel instrument; you will scratch your gel coat.
Use acetone to clean up the residual adhesive.
EJO posted 04-19-2013 02:08 PM ET (US)
Tom is right the best job is done with a heat gun using hands (gloved) to pull is off and clean-up with acetone or MKS, I was successful removing a name after 32 years on the transom of one of my boats and all you could see was the almost brand new un-faded finish underneath. Luckily I repainted the boat so it did not show.
Scrapping and eraser wheels might damage as will a razor blade or steel putty knife for sure, therefore use heat.
If re-naming the boat make sure you follow re-naming procedures B-4 splashing again.
Good luck and happy boating.
Legobusier posted 04-25-2013 04:03 PM ET (US)
Be careful with a heat gun....they do generate considerable heat and can melt the foam below the glass....A hair dryer should provide more than enough heat, followed by a plastic scraper....WD-40 also works well for removal of glue residue....
sojahseh posted 05-25-2013 10:30 AM ET (US)
I puilled all the old decals off my Temptation using a copper scraper. You can really go at it without damaging the gel coat, as long as you don't catch one of the corners of the scraper. My advice is to round out the corners before using it. Also, copper wire "brillo" pads, called Chore Boys work well too. Use in conjuction with WD-40.
jimh posted 05-25-2013 04:23 PM ET (US)
The cleaner called Goo-Gone is useful to remove remnants of adhesive. Sometimes I think it is just lighter fluid with a color agent added. I recently used it to clean up the residue from removing my out-of-date state registration stickers.
The human finger nail is a wonderful tool as a scraper that won't scratch the hull gel coat.
For warming up things that I want to eventually peel off, I use an old hair dryer on a low setting. The temperature of the air it puts out is not as high as a paint stripper hot-air heat gun, and you can use it without having to be as careful as with a really hot hot-air gun.

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Author	Topic: Decal Removal Tips
unsinkable_2000	posted 04-06-2013 05:12 PM ET (US) I need to remove the raised gel-type decals on my Nantucket 190. They catch on bumpers and have become worn and look dried out. I am ordering a traditional flat set to replace them. Anyone have a good method on removing these decals? Any and all insight always appreciated.
Jeff	posted 04-06-2013 06:04 PM ET (US) Use a hair dryer to heat them up as you are pealing them off. Makes it WAY easier. Clean the area up with acetone.
Ferdinando	posted 04-06-2013 08:09 PM ET (US) I just used a single blade razor to pick up the corner and they peeled right off without breaking. Fred
jay18	posted 04-07-2013 09:02 AM ET (US) You are best off using a plastic putty knife to scrape them of instead of a razor blade. Less chance of scratching gelcoat. Acetone works in a snap to remove old adhesive, but some Goo Gone will do the job and is much easier to work with. My .02...
Jeff	posted 04-07-2013 01:50 PM ET (US) Goo gone works but leaves an oil based residue. That residue should be cleaned off with a lacquer thinner or acetone before installing the new decal to insure it gets the best adhesion possible.
unsinkable_2000	posted 04-07-2013 07:35 PM ET (US) Thank You all so much for the great advice. Weather is warming up and time to get busy getting boats ready for the spring.
humboldt jim	posted 04-15-2013 11:43 AM ET (US) I just used the 3M eraser wheel on my old, cracked striping and it did the job quite nicely. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/3M-7498-STRIPE-WHEEL-W-ARBOR/dp/B00063VT0G
Tom W Clark	posted 04-15-2013 11:58 AM ET (US) Heat gun or hair dryer on the decals to soften up the adhesive and then use your finger nail to catch and edges and peel them off. Do not use a razor blade or any steel instrument; you will scratch your gel coat. Use acetone to clean up the residual adhesive.
EJO	posted 04-19-2013 02:08 PM ET (US) Tom is right the best job is done with a heat gun using hands (gloved) to pull is off and clean-up with acetone or MKS, I was successful removing a name after 32 years on the transom of one of my boats and all you could see was the almost brand new un-faded finish underneath. Luckily I repainted the boat so it did not show. Scrapping and eraser wheels might damage as will a razor blade or steel putty knife for sure, therefore use heat. If re-naming the boat make sure you follow re-naming procedures B-4 splashing again. Good luck and happy boating.
Legobusier	posted 04-25-2013 04:03 PM ET (US) Be careful with a heat gun....they do generate considerable heat and can melt the foam below the glass....A hair dryer should provide more than enough heat, followed by a plastic scraper....WD-40 also works well for removal of glue residue....
sojahseh	posted 05-25-2013 10:30 AM ET (US) I puilled all the old decals off my Temptation using a copper scraper. You can really go at it without damaging the gel coat, as long as you don't catch one of the corners of the scraper. My advice is to round out the corners before using it. Also, copper wire "brillo" pads, called Chore Boys work well too. Use in conjuction with WD-40.
jimh	posted 05-25-2013 04:23 PM ET (US) The cleaner called Goo-Gone is useful to remove remnants of adhesive. Sometimes I think it is just lighter fluid with a color agent added. I recently used it to clean up the residue from removing my out-of-date state registration stickers. The human finger nail is a wonderful tool as a scraper that won't scratch the hull gel coat. For warming up things that I want to eventually peel off, I use an old hair dryer on a low setting. The temperature of the air it puts out is not as high as a paint stripper hot-air heat gun, and you can use it without having to be as careful as with a really hot hot-air gun.