Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

[jhs5150]

To remove the giant decals from the sides of a fiberglass boat? You know, the ones they slap on there instead of painting it on? I know you would have to be really careful. Does anyone have better solution besides the 3M tool or do you think it's the best solution? Thanks.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

Heat gun is ideal but like you said be careful...they can go 1200 degrees which is WAY more than you need...I did mine with a hair dryer and it worked fine....stay way back away from the boat with the heat gun and heat up just enough to soften the glue and start scraping with a rubber spatula type tool. Once you get the hang of it you can get the end up and start pulling back as you heat and get the sticker off in big pieces ....you'll have glue residue still which comes off easy enough with goof off, goop off, acetone (dont use on painted aluminum , only on gelcoat, or any other type of glue remover.....I took off 2 huge decals on mine in a couple of hours....you will still see the outline of the sticker in the side of the boat most likely as the gelcoat has faded around the sticker....compound and wax the whole boat and it will blend in pretty well....over time and a few waxings and you will hardly be able to see it after a while.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

Remember this. That the heat gun stays H-O-T for a while, so watch where you lay it sown, or what it might lay up against !!!!!!

 

[jhs5150]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

"stay way back away from the boat with the heat gun and heat up just enough to soften the glue and start scraping with a rubber spatula type tool."

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I thought a plastic tool such as a Bondo spreader would work too with the heat. I've used them (guns) to remove linoleum tiles from floors so I'm aware of the pitfalls. I just didn't want to take a chance on burning up the gelcoat, etc. I'll try the hairdryer first but 2 hours seems like a long time. The gun might be the way to go.

Thanks for a 2nd opinion.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

Get a rubber wheel and chuck it in a cordless drill. Works like magic.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

"stay way back away from the boat with the heat gun and heat up just enough to soften the glue and start scraping with a rubber spatula type tool."

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I thought a plastic tool such as a Bondo spreader would work too with the heat. I've used them (guns) to remove linoleum tiles from floors so I'm aware of the pitfalls. I just didn't want to take a chance on burning up the gelcoat, etc. I'll try the hairdryer first but 2 hours seems like a long time. The gun might be the way to go.

Thanks for a 2nd opinion.

I would definitely use the heat gun....I only used a hair dryer because at the time I didnt have a heat gun....and of the hours work I'd say about 80% was getting the glue off. the stickers will come off fast either way

 

[JB]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

No to the heat gun. Too easy to screw up and hurt yourself or your boat.

Hair dryer makes all the heat you need and is safe.

 

[jhs5150]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

OK Gents. Here's a little info I found.

Do a google search on "3M Pinstripe Removal Tool" and you'll find plenty of links to it. It costs about $35. The arbor for it to connect to your drill is about $6.

Here's one of many links.

http://www.detailgear.com/browseproducts/3M-Pinstripe-Removal-Wheel.html

A much cheaper version called the "Astro Pneumatic Smart Eraser" is available for about $15 (thanks Lowkee).

Here's a link to Amazon.com which lists the eraser and arbor on the same page.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?u...ywords=Astro+Pneumatic+Smart+Eraser&x=12&y=18

Thanks,

JS

 

[indy440]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

have you tried a pressure washer? I've taken stickers off by accident with it...

 

[jhs5150]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

Hmm... I've got one of them. Maybe....

 

[Old & In the way]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

Hi

I had an Arima restripped and new decals professionally, and they didn't use heat, they used a special 3M sander - Randy is pretty helpfull and good at providing suggestions..

http://randyscustomdetail.com/default.aspx

 

[jhs5150]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

Sounds like you're talking about the Pinstripe Removal Tool.

 

[TojosMojo]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

I used the 3M Pinstripe Removal Tool and arbor in my drill also, very fast and no finish damage at all...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Has anyone ever used a heat gun?

Napa sells to pinstripe removal tool which is local to most people.