Go faster stripes

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kirielad

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Hi

I have a finishing stripe stuck on my boat fitted just above the boot top that runs from nose to tail.

The problem I have is that as it was originally fitted in the factory in 1984, its well past its best and I would like to remove and replace it. My question is does anyone know an easy way to remove it?

I've got an electric heat gun (with variable heat control), but does anyone have experience of this method or would I roast the gel coat before softening the glue on the sticker? If so does anyone know of a chemical method instead perhaps?

Thanks

Rob
 
Heat gun is OK provided it has a low heat setting. If the stripe is the usual vinyl type it does not need much heat to get it off. A hair dryer is often good enough to do it and safer than the heat gun. I took off some lettering with a hair dryer on its middle heat setting.

To remove a long stripe, warm one end and get a scraper under it, hold the removed piece of tape to the scraper with a cloth to protect your fingers, then steadily work along the tape with the heat , pulling the vinyl tape off as you go.
 
I removed a similar stripe from my boat last year. First I removed the stripe tape itself with a sharp window scraper - the type that use Stanley knife blades. You have to be careful that the ends of the blade do not dig lumps out of the gel coat.

This leaves the adhesive which, considering that it has lasted 20+ years, is not inclined to come off easily. I don't like putting heat near GRP after previous bad experiences so I used solvents. I used meths and T-Cut - I didn't want to use anything two agressive. I know that T-Cut isn't a solvent but it contains some and I found that by leaving the cutting compound on the adhesive for a while it softened it sufficiently to scrape off the adhesive. I then used a bit more T-Cut to polish away any final residue and leave it shiny.

I suggest that you try a range of solvents that are not likely to attack the gel coat - meths, petrol, paraffin etc - to find one that will soften the adhesive.
 
Done it on my 1984 Sadler using boiling water with no probs. Just sponged over a few times and dribled more on just before removing. (didn't have access to mains, though now have a genny so would use a hairdryer).

Vic
 
Use the heat gun, not too hot, just heat an area in front of what you are removing as you go along, use too little heat and you take off the tape but leave the glue, try to get enough heat to remove the glue and tape all in one go, easier to clean after.
 
Heat gun on low setting and acetone to clean off the residual gunk. A bit of work with a fine grade Farecla paste might tone down and blend the exposed gelcoat that has not faded.Finish with a good polish to protect the finish. If you have to use a scraper DO NOT use anything metal, despite your best efforts you will put in a gouge or two. I used a plastic school ruler with a chisel end put in with a file. You may have to resharpen the edge a few times but it works well and should not damage the gelcoat. I am sure there is no cure-all solution to this, some decals come off like a dream, others -- like the side decals on my Westerly -- are absolute b****s. Good luck
 
Thanks to all for the replies. You know how it is, what with all the brilliant weather we've been having I was just running out of jobs to do /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!
 
did my 1988 stripes last week. I used a wide chisel with the corners rouded ofwith a little heat fro a hair drier. I foud that olding the chisel handle close to the hull and a steady preasure took it off really wel. The remaining glue was softened with white spirit the lifted with the chisel.
 
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