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Does anyone out there have an answer as to how to remove hand lettering from a fiber glass boat hull? I'm kinda leary about "Easy Off" oven cleaner! What's thee best way to do this?
Thanks alot!!!
-------------------- Robert Lundgren Badger Display Signs 2242 Mustang Way Madison, WI Posts: 1 | From: Madison, WI | Registered: Jan 2002
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I use an elictric D/A sander...220 paper dont be fussy about getting all the paint off. then watersand with 320...400..600...1200. add a few drops of detergent to water finish up with a nice mild compound.. Sand the entire transom with the 400 600..and ultra fine... this will freshen the area. faster than any chemical ...and you have a brandnew surface. clean up with Rapid Prep.... letter or stikker... next stop...the bank! I charge at least $150 for a cleanup like this..
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I've had good luck using a home-made industrial strength rubbing compound made from FFF powdered pumice made into a paste with lacquer thinner. Go easy as this stuff will really cut. FFF pumice is powdered volcanic glass. You can get it at most any paint store that caters to contractors.
Follow up the pumice with a buffing wheel and polishing compound. You can hand polish if the boat is in the water.
The only problem you may have is that the old lettering will sometimes leave a "ghost image" on the fiberglass gel coat.
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Santo..Im "lurkin!".with dark glasses.....n a trenchcoat...with a 70 year old fedora!!! Jerry...the reason I sand the entire area is to get rid of that ghost.. sand n buff. Most boats have a pretty thick layer of gelcoat.. Havent burned thru one yet.."knock on fibergalss!!!!!!!!!"heheh
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I just changed a boat name that was painted on. The easiest way is to use oven cleaner (original formula). It just bubbles the paint off in no time. It does not hurt the gelcoat. After the paint bubbles up in about ten minutes, use a wet paper towel to remove the remains. Go over it again a couple of times with wet paper towels or rinse with a water hose if available. If any paint is left, repeat. You will want to use gloves and eye protection and rinse any overspray that gets on you. Cheers
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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I'm with Rob. I used Easy-off on a 28' sportfisherman a few weeks ago, with no ill effects.
-------------------- Ben Sherr Street Metal Custom Auto Art 3006 River Rd Hopewell, Va 23860 (804)452-1540 Bjay65@msn.com Posts: 77 | From: Hopewell, Virginia | Registered: Mar 2002
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If it were your boat, I might consider Easy Off. If it's my boat, I use a product made for the purpose from a marine supply house. No abrasives, either....not yet. After the paint's off, buff it with 3-M's heavy duty compound and Finesse-It II. hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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The condition of the gelcoat is a key issue. On dull and porous gelcoat EasyOff will turn the gelcoat yellow, however using any other solvents will usually stain it with the paint color (red being the worst). I always use EasyOff first, then if I have to buff, I buff. If not,I got off easy.
You can do a test of sorts by putting a blue stabillo line on the gelcoat and try wiping it off.If it takes a lot of spit and elbow grease to get it off, you will probably have to buff. If it wipes right off dry there is a good chance no buffing will be required.
I try not to leave the oven cleaner on for longer than a minute per application.
Have also heard of a product called "Goof-Off". Anyone ever try it?
-------------------- Tom Howell Newbury, MA Custom paint, pinstriping, lettering since nineteen seventy something bchip105@hotmail.com 978-465-5675 Posts: 47 | From: Newbury,Ma | Registered: Jun 1999
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Sometimes I use alcohol soaked paper towels covered with saran wrap. I've found times when this didn't work and used the ICC 596 hand cleaner we use in the shop. I squirted it on my hand, rubbed the lettering off, and washed my hand and the boat.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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