Any tip on removing 36 year old registration numbers from the side of the hull?

[hotrod53]

My registration numbers are 36 years old, as you can imagine, they are in need of replacement. I have 16 to do, the first 2 took me an hour, my thumbs can't take it anymore!

I resorted to a hair drier and a wooden shim that used as a scraper but there has to be a better way.

 

[Sea Rider]

How about a Karcher washing machine set to max pressure with nozzle set to produce a high pressure thin squirt..

Happy Boating

 

[MikDee]

If it's a fiberglass boat, Oven Cleaner! Yes, oven cleaner,,, Spray on let work clean off, it won't hurt the finish atall. Trust me, when you're trying to remove "STUMPJUMPER !!" painted in 6" letters, nothing else will do

 

[m_steiger]

I have always used a propane torch (carefully) and a standard straight razor scraper. The use goo-gone to remove any left over sticky residue. You may look into purchasing an eraser wheel attachment for a die grinder. I have used one of those before at a previous job and they really are a miracle and save a lot of time.

 

[hotrod53]

Thanks, I was curious about the eraser wheel, I know that body shops use those for removing baked on pinstripes. So it won' ruin my paint I guess?

 

[dannys2004glastron175mx]

Thanks, I was curious about the eraser wheel, I know that body shops use those for removing baked on pinstripes. So it won' ruin my paint I guess?

go with the eraser wheel that's what I use on my cars it don't harm the paint or gelcoat

 

[m_steiger]

Correct, the eraser wheel will not damage your paint or gelcoat. I have heard some people say Harbor Freight sells those eraser wheels although I'm not sure if they do.

 

[Woodonglass]

Heat Gun to soften em, and then use the Eraser Wheel.

 

[Axkiker]

I have had great success using that citrus paint stripper they sell at lowes.. I cant remember the brand but its orange and the only one they sell. I found it because I restore classic fishing rods and needed something to strip the old paint and decals off without hurting the fiberglass.

So one time I tried it on old decals and it worked very well. It turned the old decals to soft rubber that was easy to scrape off with s plastic bondo spreader. Then follow it up if needed with another cote to remove excess residue.

Doesnt harm gelcoat in the slightest

 

[redneck joe]

don't use acetone.....

 

[Woodonglass]

don't use acetone.....

Why not??

 

[H20Rat]

+1 3m eraser wheel. Sold at a lot of auto parts stores. You do NOT want them in a die grinder though, the eraser wheels are LOW speed only. They work better and heat up less with lower rpm.

 

[hotrod53]

Mission complete...... I tried a few things, other than the eraser wheel, and I found that nothing worked as well as a hair drier, a piece of cedar shim stock as a scraper, a good long thumbnail, and some goo gone. 16 letters, 3 hours, one sore thumb, and probably a worn out hair drier, and I'm good to go!

Thanks all for the advice!