Removal of Stickers and Lettering

[jxtower]

What is the best method of removing the stickers from a Fiberglass hull without scratching the gel coat?<br /><br />jxtower

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Removal of Stickers and Lettering

Stickers and registration numbers can be first softened with any Methyl Chloride paint stripper. <br /><br />I use a Q-tip and apply the stripper inside the number boundary being careful to NOT get any on the gelcoat. Doesn't take much .. a thin wipe.<br /><br />After about 5 minutes ... maybe ten ... you'll see the numbers start to deform. Wipe off the stripper and the number can often be peeled off at a sharp angle back on itself.<br /><br />You can also apply heat from a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the plastic number after the stripper application and having wiped the number clean.<br /><br />Wear protective gloves and do this in a well ventilated area if not outdoors.<br /><br />After removal, the residual glue can be easily removed with denatured alcohol, lighter fluid, or nearly any aromatic including goo gone or a similar product.

 

[Vantoo]

Re: Removal of Stickers and Lettering

heat gun.... best way I have found.. just don't over heat... peels right off easy.....

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Removal of Stickers and Lettering

be careful with strippers, unless they are specifically for fiberglass they will eat the gelcoat, some more than others. even the stuff made just for glass softens it a tiny bit. like Vantoo said, hair dryer and a dull scraper works well, youll probablly have to buff it to get it too match again if they have been on there awhile.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Removal of Stickers and Lettering

I made a hardwood scraper with a fine edge, almost like a metal scraper you'd find in a hardware store. Heated it the numbers first with a hair dryer and scraped them off, using the scraper like a chisel. I used acetone to remove residual adhesive. Did't leave a mark, although the area the numbers covered was still visible due to fading of the gelcoat around them...<br />- Scott

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Removal of Stickers and Lettering

I just did this. Use a hair dryer to soften the adheasive. Pull the vinyl stickers off slowly. Use a inexpensive plasitic if necessary. There will be some remaining adheasive on the hull. I used "Goo Gone" for that. Squirt it on, wait a little and then wipe it off. Since the Goo Gone is oil based, you will then need to clean the area with some kind of simple degreaser (mild soap and water, windex, etc).

 

[Indymike]

Re: Removal of Stickers and Lettering

Solvent used for installing golf grips works great for removing adhesive. Try this <br /><br /> http://www.dynacraftgolf.com/Dynacr..._product/all_items/0/SOLVENT-001/grip+solvent

 

[KaGee]

Re: Removal of Stickers and Lettering

Originally posted by Vantoo:<br /> heat gun.... best way I have found.. just don't over heat... peels right off easy.....

Right on... and a sharp razor/scrapper. Go slow, or you could gouge the gelcoat.