Removing vinyl decals

Jerryh3

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
325
The vinyl graphics/strips on my 2001 Maxum have seen better days. I'm thinking about removing them all and just replacing the ones around the painted areas. Has anyone used an eraser wheel or something similar to remove striping/lettering from the side of the hull?
 

lckstckn2smknbrls

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
1,114
Re: Removing vinyl decals

I did vinyl graphics for 7 years. The 3m multi disc eraser wheels are great just keep it moving if you hold it in one place to long you can burn the gelcoat. We used Zep chemicals Big Orange degreaser to remove the adhesive residue then denatured alcohol to clean off the big orange.
 

Jerryh3

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
325
Re: Removing vinyl decals

I did vinyl graphics for 7 years. The 3m multi disc eraser wheels are great just keep it moving if you hold it in one place to long you can burn the gelcoat. We used Zep chemicals Big Orange degreaser to remove the adhesive residue then denatured alcohol to clean off the big orange.
Will Goo Gone or Goof Off work as well as the Zep? Is there only one type of wheel or are there different compounds(hard/soft)?
 

tallcanadian

Captain
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
3,250
Re: Removing vinyl decals

I removed my old decals from my outboard and the pinstripes from my boat with a heat gun. Took only a few minutes. Probably cost about 20 bucks U.S. Good luck
 

Jerryh3

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
325
Re: Removing vinyl decals

I removed my old decals from my outboard and the pinstripes from my boat with a heat gun. Took only a few minutes. Probably cost about 20 bucks U.S. Good luck
Got one of those too. Just worried about blistering the gelcoat. I might try a couple different methods and see what works the best. Keep the ideas coming, please.
 

lckstckn2smknbrls

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
1,114
Re: Removing vinyl decals

Will Goo Gone or Goof Off work as well as the Zep? Is there only one type of wheel or are there different compounds(hard/soft)?

There are solid wheels about 1/2 thick and multi disc wheels. I like the multi disc ones. We would get the big orange in 30gal drums and it just works better. You spray it on wait 10 mins and hose it off. The other stuff will work just takes longer and is more work. There were several different compounds/ brands of wheels any would be good.
 

lckstckn2smknbrls

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
1,114
Re: Removing vinyl decals

Got one of those too. Just worried about blistering the gelcoat. I might try a couple different methods and see what works the best. Keep the ideas coming, please.

Heat guns work well, if your burning your fingers your getting it to hot. If you have a steamer that work too.
 
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