Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

[Stumpknocker]

Trying to put new ones on....anybody have any suggestions as to how to get the old ones off without using my raygun? Hate to scratch and chisel on my gelcoat..<br /><br />I figure there must be some common household item laying around that will instantly disolve them and wax my boat at the same time. Right?

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

Heat gun?

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

I decided to try a 3 inch wide razor blade scraper that folks use when removing window tinting. Workes great as long as I don't use too great of an angle of attack. Then I used WD40 and it dissolved the glue instantly. Followed that up with windex with ammonia and got it squeaky clean. Those stickers had been on there since 96 and were two layers thick. You know the ugly kind of numbers you get at department stores... yuk. <br /><br />So it looks better now and I even have legal spacing between the sets of numbers and letters. They were all run together before. Nasty.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

Glad we could help.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

If it's vinyl-type lettering, I've used a hairdryer before now - carefully. It softens the glue, and you can then peel the vinyl off and clean off the tack afterwards.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

Gil,<br /><br />Did they use those nasty reflective rectangular house number stickers? Some whack-job put those on my boat. I could have strangled him when I was removing them. Even with heat, the plastic kept ripping and I spent hours with a razor and finger nails pulling those things off.<br /><br />BTW, they don't stick to your mailbox for sh*t, but they stick to a boat like it has to make it through the next ice age.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

The same whack-job put 'em on my boat too. They're gone now, but I'm still sore from trying to pry them off. They tend to delaminate, making the job very tedious.<br /><br />The sticky residue was removed by scraping, and liberal amounts of polishing compound.<br /><br />

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

Yes Mark42, they were one and the same. House letters. The wide razor blade really made it alot easier. Then the WD-40 dissolved the glue in just a few seconds. It was a mess. I'll link a before and after picture in a few minutes.

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

Here they are.<br /><br />The dirty waterline hasn't been cleaned yet because I just got back from Grouper fishing.<br />

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

AMDrules, I took a look at your boat pictures. How far are you going to take the restoration? Re gelcoating?<br /><br />I was in Sarnia a few years ago. Can't remember exactly where I was headed but remember the name.

 

[hise]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

a hairdryer works very well<br /><br />--Hise

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

AMDrules, I took a look at your boat pictures. How far are you going to take the restoration? Re gelcoating?<br />

Your call... heads or tails? lol<br /><br />My plan is to spend the winter reading, and reading. Iboats is a fantastic source of information. Some days I feel like taking the boat straight to the landfill, and other days I read more success stories on this forum and convince myself that the boat deserves a proper restoration. Until the snow melts, I'm just going to follow other people's projects such as yours. I'm not confident that I have the skills required to re-gelcoat the hull (yet).

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

I understand the need for information. I lucked out this week and met up with a guy that bought a used, very used AquaSport 19' with an Evinrude 235. The engine runs great and is a 1988... the boat is a 1977 and really good condition except for finish. Well to make a long story even longer.... the guy is a gel-coater from Gambler Bass boats! Worked there for years. He's retired now and is going to do the project thing on the Aquasport. I get to help. Talk about a learning curve. Can't wait to get some before and after shots. As I get lots of tips I'll post em here.

 

[Bahama J]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

The hairdryer works great, but a too-late caution about using WD40 on gelcoat; if you repaint that area in the future br sure to de-grease thoroughly or the paint job might become a nightmare.<br /><br />If you ever replace new numbers, go to a sign shop and they will produce the set that is applied all at once. Pricier than individual letters, but sure is quick.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Removing Boat Registration Numbers....

Gil, i used a heat gun. like for stipping paint. high temp, local heat. do it sparingly and keep the heat gun moving. started peeling them old numbers off with a razor blade. once there heated, after ya get em started with the blade, just pull them off with yer fingers. i took off must have been 3 layers of numbers. what didn't come off. use, goof off(thats the name of the product). i've used it on both my waverunner and my speed boat, so far i've not seen any ill effects of goof off on the finish of either. other than it seems to remove the stickys. wax it off and reapplied some new, hipper lookin numbers,,,,,,,,,,,