how do you get graphics off a painted hull?

you can use a razor to scrape it off, or a pressure washer to blast it off, or sand paper to get to the gelcoat under it... . all methods are delicate, and may not result in great results.

razors are a pain to work with, and you will inevitably ruin some gelcoat in spots. It will leave a ghost (UV) outline of the decal.

pressure washers can/will burn through a hull if used incorrectly (seen it done recently), and will leave a ghost image.

& sanding off the decal will probably also leave a ghost image unless you are going to reshoot gelcoat over it

Edited by MN3 on Nov 26, 2012 - 03:20 PM.

im using razors to start it then im peeling it, it works good but leaves the adhesive, how can i get the adhesive off?

Acetone but may remove paint. Maybe alcohol?

Edited by nacra55 on Nov 26, 2012 - 04:39 PM.

optikid wrote: how can i get the adhesive off?

Goo Gone. Cheap and easy.

~~ Acetone might take the paint off.... Are you sure the hulls are painted?? I think I would'av stayed away from it... Let the owner screw it up, then he can't blame you

he gave me 100$ to clean it then i told him i cant do the graphics. then he told me 50$ to take it off and he dosent care about the paint. but i want to take the least amount of paint off as possible.

+1 Goo Gone
+1 razor blades
+1 on the ghosts, in any event.
I always have a heat gun handy.
Some plastic putty knives (burnishers) may come in handy.
My sister has a sign business and watching her I've learned to be flexible and have several methods available. We keep acetone around as it's helped me get left over adhesive off. Lighter fluid can loosen things up, but not close to the heat gun. Every method has it's advantages and pit falls. Lots of rags, towels with heavy texture.

or try this method:
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=11256

3M makes and Adhesive remover that makes Goo Gone look like glue. It will NOT harm the paint like Acetone can and thinner will.

I would not use the razor, a plastic scraper and the 3M stuff will make it much better. If the hulls are painted it will be worse. If they are gelcoat you will be fine. JMHO, YMMV, Richard.

they are painted

ooh..... tough.

popeyez7 wrote: ~~ I think I would'av stayed away from it... Let the owner screw it up, then he can't blame you

This is good advise, I am assuming this guy is a friend. There are times its better to turn down the $50 and make sure that you stay friends.

To remove the graphics, I would have the boat out in the sun and gently peel the vinyl with your fingers/ plastic scraper. Then get the adhesive off with any sort of adhesive remover. Goof-off is basically Xylene, and its much cheaper just to buy the Xylene. Keep in mind its not something you want to breathe or get on your skin.

will i have goof off. it wont mess up the paint?

~~ Thanks bacho~~ Optikid.. Do ya have time to back out of it??? If not, then be real careful... I wouldn't use Acetone. That might take the paint off.. I screwed up one of my hulls and used it to strip the paint off, but it wasn't totally cured/dried, so don't trust it.. Use a plastic scraper or a old rusty razor... I've saved them for a purpose like that. I don't throw anything away and keep stuff like that for a reason, except my EX wife... Try using what some of the other guys mentioned and if ya don't do it and need the 50 bucks we'll take up a collection for ya.... I'll start it, heres a dollar >>> $1.00 😆

i have the sticker off one hull, its to late. im going to put some goof off on under the tramp and see what the paint does

wd40 loosens up adhesive and isn't too hot to melt paint...

Goof Off is acetone, get the adhesive remover, it will not take much. JMHO, Richard.

RicardOben wrote: Goof Off is acetone, get the adhesive remover, it will not take much. JMHO, Richard.

Not acetone, but still don't want to gargle with it.
http://www.goofoffstainremover.com/sites/default/files/downloadable_files/go_2_2465.1_msds_052710.pdf

DamonLinkous wrote: [quote=RicardOben]Goof Off is acetone, get the adhesive remover, it will not take much. JMHO, Richard

Not acetone, but still don't want to gargle with it.
http://www.goofoffstainre…2_2465.1_msds_052710.pdf

Working altrernative is Goo Gone. Citrus based adhesive remover with light kerosene:

http://googone.com/Goo-Gone-Problem-Solving

Standard Goo Gone works well on fiberglass (I have used it) but they also make an automotive version if you are nervous. Manufacturer says both are safe for fibreglass.

And it is cheap.

Klozhald is right with the goo gone. Great stuff. But It wont be as fast or as spectacular as a small strategically placed thermonuclear device. A industrial blow dryer device will work well also. I am opposed to razors as they tend to get the gelcoat eventually. Acetone for clean up is good too after you clear the gunk off. You want a bit more then $50 thats for sure. Depending on the boat age you may have a permanent raised area were the surrounding gelcoat has worn away. I had that happen when we regelcoated my Nacra 5.7. ps Acme Nuclear Products may have the correct device for blowing off the stencils. Good Luck

Edited by JennaMeyer on Dec 06, 2012 - 10:57 AM.

I live in a perpetual state of confusion.
That said, I don't understand why we keep talking about removing (what I and others originally thought was) vinyl lettering when his 11-27 post indicates the lettering is painted?
Is this painted or vinyl?

scotts1w wrote: I live in a perpetual state of confusion.
That said, I don't understand why we keep talking about removing (what I and others originally thought was) vinyl lettering when his 11-27 post indicates the lettering is painted?
Is this painted or vinyl?

Either way the thermo nuclear device will get the job done, no worries. If its paint that comes off with the prep sanding if you are going to gelocoat. Oscillating random sanders work well. Nice 5.7 by the way. I loved mine and hated to sell it. Paint removal without gelcoat is going to be very visable. Just my humble opinion.

scotts1w wrote: I live in a perpetual state of confusion.
That said, I don't understand why we keep talking about removing (what I and others originally thought was) vinyl lettering when his 11-27 post indicates the lettering is painted?
Is this painted or vinyl?

the letters are vinyl the hulls are painted, im using go gone and it works.

sorry for the confusion, somewone asked if the hulls are painted for sure, thats why i said it painted

Edited by optikid on Dec 06, 2012 - 07:10 PM.

Ok! Well that's settled.
Now I'm just in my regular state of confusion.
Good luck on the project.
Very nice cat yourself Jenna. Where do you sail her? And why are you so excited about blowing things up with the nuclear option?

scotts1w wrote: Ok! Well that's settled.
Now I'm just in my regular state of confusion.
Good luck on the project.
Very nice cat yourself Jenna. Where do you sail her? And why are you so excited about blowing things up with the nuclear option?

Scott,, Hehe,, that would be all the years I called on quarries blasting rock. The manger at one site told me "There is no problem that cannot be solved with the proper application of high explosives" I guess his humor stuck and decals are nasty to get off if they have been on for many years. My Infusion, I sail at Sandy Hook Bay in New Jersey and belong to the cat club there. My 5.7 was soooooo much fun and very forgiving. I went to the square top mylar sails from Elliot Pattison and they really kicked up the performance a notch or two. I just wish it had the newer style rudder system that the 570's have. The boat was in really fine condition and is now on Lake Murray in SC with some nice folks there.