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Tips

sticker/decal removal

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Gundy

Gundy

Luke Skywalker
Offline
Any tips about removing sticker/decal from a boat?
I just bought an older 20 foot center console fishing boat.
Ya know those numbers and such you put on boats?
Some idiot put an advertisement of sorts (company name)
on the side of the boat in those stick on plastic things.
I tried heat.....that method would take a lifetime.
Tried WD40. Nope. Tried that oops stuff. Nope.
Any tricks?
Short of grinding the dang things off I'm stumped.
I got a great deal on the thing. The 150 HP motor was running
a little rough. Low idle, etc.
Dummies had the wrong plugs in. Runs like a champ now.
I mean the factory put a tag on #1 clearly explaining what plugs to use. How they got 'em wrong is beyond me.
Note: that is not my house. PO's house. You can see the
Auto and Marine name I'd like to remove.
 

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What kind of heat did you use? Hair dryer or paint gun?

IF you choose the paint gun, watch how close you get to the hull.

If all else fails, contact a boat marina and ask what they've found that works.
 
How about LIGHTLY sanding the adhesive label in order to break the surface, then use a solvent. The sanded label should allow the solvent to penetrate and soften the adhesive.
 
Mineral spirits. Soak repeatedly.
 
I used a hairdryer. Got it so hot I was afraid of ruining the gel coat.
Sanding the surface sounds like an option.
Mineral spirits. I think I'll try that. I once used it to remove
some nasty pine tar that had dripped on the hood of my old Land Cruiser. Worked great but man ya gotta be careful with that stuff on paint.
I think I'll sand and then use mineral spirits.
 
3M have a wonderful product that is used in the auto trade for removing stickers, tape pinstripes, road tar and competitors' decals.... General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, product number 08984.

It's available at hardware stores, comes with a nozzle so that you can direct the flow. It does exactly what it says on the can, it doesn't harm paint, etc. May need to apply it and leave it on to soak, but once the adhesive is softened you can peel the stickers off and then just use more of the product to clean off the residue.
 
Single-edge razor blade. VERY sharp one, used gently.
 
I'll get the hardware store across from my office to order me the 3M stuff. THANKS!
As for a razor blade. I'd screw that up for sure. Steadier hands are needed than mine. :devilgrin:
 
i think you need to add another stripe....

m
 
3M stripe decal remover # 07498. Big eraser wheel for taking off stripes and such.
 
jsfbond said:
3M stripe decal remover # 07498. Big eraser wheel for taking off stripes and such.
Click to expand...


Dang, those look like the ticket! Have you used them before?


Edit: I just ordered one. I'll let ya'll know the results.
 
I used a Hot Blade decal remover to remove a VIN decal from my Jaguar. It didn't even destroy the security backing.
 
and if all else fails ...
 
jsfbond said:
3M stripe decal remover # 07498. Big eraser wheel for taking off stripes and such.
Click to expand...

The rubber wheel came in today. Holy Cow! Ya can't beat
science. That wheel took off all those stickers in about 10 minutes without damage to the surface of the boat.
:thankyousign:

Dude I owe ya big time!
 
Andrew Mace said:
I'm curious. How is it used, and it is idiot-proof? Any caveats from 3M...or you? :smile:
Click to expand...

It is used on a power drill (much like a sanding disc), is quite idiot-proof (kind of like a big eraser!) and actually works best in reverse rotation! A follow-up wipe-down with the 3M decal and adhesive remover to clean up any residue and the substrate is as good as new! For smaller vinyl decal applications there are also available plastic straight-edged razor blades which will zip that vinyl off the surface without gouging or scratching it! :thumbsup:
 
I'm living proof it is dang near idiot proof.
3M instructions say do not exceed 4K RPMs.
My electric drill only goes 2.5K so that took care of that
caveat.
Didn't dig or harm the surface at all.
 
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