...ready to strip off the old and add new paint on dash.

[superharmonix]

This is my old '78 trihull. I want to strip off the old paint behind the gauges and put some new paint on. What's the safest/best way to strip off the old paint? What type of paint should I use?
Thanks a bunch!

I am always blown away at the depth of knowledge in these forums! Hats off to y'all!

 

[Stachi]

Re: ...ready to strip off the old and add new paint on dash.

^^^ I agree.... thats a vinyl decal. A heat gun, single edged razor blade and windex will make quick work of it.One blade was enough to do my entire boat so it doesn't need to be really sharp...just not knicked. Start with the heat gun,warming the entire area. Lift an edge with the razor blade and pull gently.Continue fanning the heat gun back and forth in front of your pull. Use the windex and blade for any residual glue left behind. I just spent about six hours removing every graffic,pin stripe (many) and decal from my 20' boat about an hour ago.I am prepping it for a thorough cut and polish.
You could always cut a piece of plexiglass to fit the dashboard,paint the back of it and mount what you like to it. Easy way to cover existing holes and give a nice finish.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: ...ready to strip off the old and add new paint on dash.

Just to add - once you the decal off and cleaned up really well, step back and look. You may decide it doesn't need paint. If you do paint it, you are either going to have some work to remove all the components, a some work to mask everything off really well. Once cleaned up, I'd bet a donut it looks good enough to leave.

 

[Stachi]

Re: ...ready to strip off the old and add new paint on dash.

Just to add - once you the decal off and cleaned up really well, step back and look. You may decide it doesn't need paint. If you do paint it, you are either going to have some work to remove all the components, a some work to mask everything off really well. Once cleaned up, I'd bet a donut it looks good enough to leave.

My end result was...." gee,... I wish the rest of the hull looked that good"... seriously , the decals,graphics, and pinstripes had protected the gelcoat.

 

[superharmonix]

Re: ...ready to strip off the old and add new paint on dash.

No there's something new! Being able to possibly do LESS work for a good result! I think I'll try it tomorrow if the weather holds and see how it looks!