Getting painted name off

[lmcpark]

We recently purchased a used 1989 Grady White. The name was painted on the each side in large letters! Area about 3' x2'". My husband took the name off and scratched the gelcoat. It's not real bad but you can see the scratches. You can still see the outline of the name too. How do we get this looking great again?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Getting painted name off

You will have to wet sand the area in question with 2000 grit wet paper untill the scratches are gone, If the scratches are really deep, you might start with 600 and work your way up to the 2000, then polish with a good buffer with compound! How did he take them off?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Getting painted name off

Lubedude has given some good advice ,HOWEVER,I would highly recommend first trying some polishing compound and a rotary polishing wheel and then following up with some polish.That may very well be all you need to do.

 

[lmcpark]

Re: Getting painted name off

Thanks Lubedude and Crazy charlie. We tried the polishing compound and it just made it shiny! So I think I may have to do the sandpaper bit. I'm not sure if I need a gelcoat repair kit yet, I don't think so. This is our first boat and I want to do everything right.

 

[lmcpark]

Re: Getting painted name off

The lettering is raised though so I don't know if sanding will get them off. I guess they have been on there since 1989.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Getting painted name off

Did you use a rotary polisher???? It makes all the difference in the world.

 

[lmcpark]

Re: Getting painted name off

Yes, I did.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Getting painted name off

You say the lettering is raised so do I understand correctly that the name is still on one side? If so, you might try wiping the letters with a rag soaked (moderately) in lacquer thinner. I'll bet the painted letters will come off without hurting the gelcoat underneath. The stuff evaporates pretty quickly so you might have to soak them a couple of times.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Getting painted name off

Is removing the lettering the same as revoking the name of a vessel? Hate to see ya incur the wrath of Poseiden. And/or Neptune. <br /><br /> Recommended name-change ceremony found on iboats.

 

[lmcpark]

Re: Getting painted name off

I'm not sure why the letters are raised but you can run your hand over the hull and you can read the name even though the paint is gone. The hull is white and the lettering was deep blue. <br /><br />I am new to boating so ... jtexas you mean I can't change the name? I saw the name change ceremony. Do people really do that? Excuse my ignorance.

 

[lmcpark]

Re: Getting painted name off

Thunderroad, the name is on both sides. THe letters have been removed and I don't know why you still see the raised letters, however I will try using paint thinner to see if that works. Thanks.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Getting painted name off

welcome to iboats, lmcp...officially I'd have to say, "yes, of course everyone does it." Just between you & me, I suspect we sometimes don't & say we did...or not... <br /><br />Sorry about distracting the discussion away from your problem - I just didn't have anything useful to add. Had to say it but sounds like you may end up grinding those raised letters down - or here's a thought...build the area around them up...either way you'll probly end up needing that gelcoat repair kit after all.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Getting painted name off

Anytime you remove decals or stripes or painted names that have been on the fiberglass since it was new will show the same raising in the glass.Those spots have been perfectly preserved over the years and the rest of the hull has weathered and dried out more than the preserved spots.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Getting painted name off

I know the feeling.Mine still has the name Stormin Norm in the gelcoat after i removed the decals.I can't stand it..Think i'll break out the sandpaper too...

 

[lmcpark]

Re: Getting painted name off

We're water sanding as we speak with 600 grit wet sand. Still there but it is better.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Getting painted name off

I thought maybe you had removed one side and were lookin for a no-sand way to remove the other...hence the lacquer thinner.<br />C Charlie is absolutely right. The glass has weathered away surrounding the letters. It even happens to metal. I've seen our shop sand off painted on names, prime the surface and repaint only to still be able to see the old letters in the right light angle. I'm sure fibreglass and gelcoat would be even worse.