Removing Registration Decals

jayhawkokie

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
92
I just purchased a different boat from out of state and I have to replace the old registration decals with new ones.

Is there an easy way to get the old decals off without damaging the gel coat on the boat? Thank You for any suggestions.

Jayhawkokie
Grand lake O' the Cherokees
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: Removing Registration Decals

heat gun or hair dryer if you can't just peel them off. you might need to use acetone, goo be gone, or whatever your favorite adhesive remover is.
 

smclear

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
626
Re: Removing Registration Decals

I've always used a heat gun in situations like this. I've heard that a blow dryer will work. I don't know why it wouldn't, I've just always had a heat gun. I use Acetone (diluted a little) to remove any glue residue. I always apply a bit of wax afterwords.
 

jayhawkokie

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
92
Re: Removing Registration Decals

Thanks for the good advise. I don't have a heat gun bur had thought about giving the hair dryer a try. The missus has one that throws out a lot of heat.

Thanks Again

Jayhawkokie
A Sooner in Mourning
 

SouthernAppal

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
44
Re: Removing Registration Decals

The folks on a truck list I am part of use dental floss to get underneath the decals as it is heated. No razors, no burned fingers, lots less mess.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Removing Registration Decals

plastic putty knife works well.
 

mphy98

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
1,422
Re: Removing Registration Decals

heat gun and plastic putty knife, but be very careful with the heat gun, too much heat = blister on boat
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Removing Registration Decals

I tried the hairdryen but it did not help any. The numbers they used looked like the ones you will use for a house mail box. I used my torch, very carefully, started just heating a bit until I hit the sweet spot. Glue and everything came out and no damage to the gelcoat.
 

mthieme

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,270
Re: Removing Registration Decals

By the time mine pile up to about 3/8" thick, the glue on the bottom one seems to start to loosen up by this time and the whole stack comes off pretty easy.:)
Same for the stickers on my license plates.
 

grego

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 12, 2008
Messages
328
Re: Removing Registration Decals

A hair dryer is best, heat gun will soften clear coat. If dryer does not work, use heat gun carefully. To remove excess glue, use alcohol, it will take off glue and not damage clear coat. this works well to remove the glue from the "for sale" sign, scotch taped to a plexyglass windsheild. It takes a little elbow grease, but will not damage the plexy in any way. As far as decals go I just stack them a 1/4" forward or aft of each other to tell how many years I have had boat. My .02
 
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