Vinyl lettering after paint job question

FGraham

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Joined
Jul 28, 2014
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5
Hi all, I am currently painting my Chaparral 198 with Rustoleum top side high gloss white, and its going pretty well. I ordered a set of registration numbers, some Chaparral decals, and a name for the back of the boat off a custom vinyl website. I am planning on waxing the boat after I do the third coat of paint, and my question is should I apply the decals and vinyl before or after I wax? The decals are clear around black letters, and I'm worried if I don't wax first the difference in shine will be noticeable, but if I do the stickers after I wax they wont stick. Any thoughts? Thanks!
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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May 19, 2001
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26,082
No to the wax. Decals directly over the paint AND the paint actually takes a couple of weeks to fully cure. I would not even consider wax this season at all.
 

FGraham

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Jul 28, 2014
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5
OK that answers my question! Thanks! That's good to know about the paint too. The can says it fully dries in 24 hours, so I appreciate you letting me know that so I didn't just ruin the paint job right off the bat Hahah.
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
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OK that answers my question! Thanks! That's good to know about the paint too. The can says it fully dries in 24 hours, so I appreciate you letting me know that so I didn't just ruin the paint job right off the bat Hahah.



Dry and cured are two different things. Even after paint is dry to the touch there's a chemical reaction going on that takes quite some time to complete.
 

ken51k

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 5, 2012
Messages
77
I agree with Bob_VT Do not wax it this season. That Rustoleum top side paint is good, but it takes a long time to fully cure. I'd even wait to put the custom vinyl decals on.
 

UncleWillie

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Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
.... The decals are Clear around Black Letters, and I'm worried if I don't wax first the difference in shine will be noticeable, ... Thanks!

Custom Lettering does Not have any "Clear" background between them that will be covering the paint.
They come on a temporary paper "Carrier" that positions them it the correct place while installing.
All the painted areas that will still be visible after lettering, will still be wax-able.

The paint may be "Dry" to the touch after 24 hours but it will not be fully "Cured" for a month.
As long as it keeps smelling like paint, it is still curing/out-gassing.
 
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Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,930
If you did not use the Hardener in the paint it will take more than a month for the paint to fully cure, especially if the temps start to drop below 70 degrees. I wouldn't touch it with anything until the spring.
 

Mrletters

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Joined
Dec 17, 2014
Messages
1
Excellent advise, i have had many customers letter there boats assuming paint was dry. What happens when the paint is not cured all the way? We call it gas off, as the paint dries it gives of that new boat smell (lol) it is the paint drying and it can take up to 2 weeks depending on location and humidity and air temp. The vinyl will start to come off over a short period of time. And will need to be replaced. As for the wax, never apply striping or lettering to waxed boats, Use denatured alcohol to remove all the wax. You want to apply right to the painted surface. Then wax. Hope this helps.

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gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,605
You could paint your boat, then air brush the letters and numbers followed up with a clear coat and it will be there forever. Works for me!
 

jayhanig

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Messages
836
If you did not use the Hardener in the paint it will take more than a month for the paint to fully cure, especially if the temps start to drop below 70 degrees. I wouldn't touch it with anything until the spring.

Since you mention 70?, you will want to wait until the hull is that temperature before you try to put those stickers on; otherwise they may not want to stick. I agree with what the others have posted about letting the paint cure before putting them on and then maybe waxing it next fall. And Uncle Willie is dead on about there not being any transparent material between the letters; it'd be a lot easier if there were... but there isn't.
 
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