How Do I Remove Decal Name + Go Faster Stripes

[pookey_amiko]

I AM REPAINTING MY FIBREGLASS SPEEDBOAT AND I NEED TO REMOVE THE OLD STICKY PLASTIC DECALS - THE PREVIOUS BOAT NAME AND SOME DODGY DAMAGED GO-FASTER STRIPES.

ARE THERE ANY HINTS OR TRICKS TO TAKE THESE OFF, APART FROM SCRAPING THEM OFF BIT BY BIT WITH A STRIPPING KNIFE?

THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS ALSO DONE A HIDIOUS PAINT JOB ON THE PLASTIC VISOR (THE BIT YOU LOOK THROUGH NOT SURE WHAT IT'S CALLED) AND PAINTED IT MATT BLACK! ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO REMOVE THE PAINT OR SHOULD IT JUST BE REPLACED.

 

[sailorman]

without SHOUTING suggest a hot air gun

 

[chasroberts]

Try warming them up with a hair drier. They should be much easier to gently scrape off when warm. Avoid a proper heat gun unless you are extremely careful as the high temperatures can damage the surface under the decals in no time at all.

Paint is trickier. I'm sure there must be a chemical way of safe removal and doubtless some other more knowledgeable forumite will be able to assist.

Good Luck

 

[Hardley]

Hot air gun and scraper will remove stripes etc, but the glue left behind is a problem. Try the white sponges known as Miracle Sponges and other names, bought a packet of 4 for £1 from a cheapo shop like Pound Savers, just damp the sponge and rub over sticky mess, mine came off pretty fast, they also clean plastic and stains.

 

[pookey_amiko]

THANKS, I'LL GIVE IT AGO WITH A HAIRDRYER, I DONT HAVE A HOT AIR GUN. MY HAIR WILL JUST HAVE TO BE FRIZZY FOR A FEW DAYS!

 

[VicS]

I'll go along with the hot air gun idea provided you are careful to avoid overheating the gel coat.

I have found "Sticky Stuff Remover" good for removing residues of adhesive if necessary.

 

[Lakesailor]

Forum Police Alert!

I think you may find your Caps Lock is on. Upper case characters are considered a bit rude. Especially when you're asking for help. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[compie1]

When you removed the stripes with the hairdryer you can remove rests of the glue with good old WD-40 ! works super!

 

[kcrane]

I DIDN'T KNOW (oops sorry, shouting) that WD40 dissolves glue, will give that a go next time rather than use SWMBO's gin...

 

[bilbobaggins]

Pleez don't get the gin and the WD-40 mixed up.... the latter does an even better job of removing the lining on the back of one's throat!

Come to think of it, so does Johnny Walker Red Label! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[silvertop]

I find Olive Oil good for stickky stuff. Virgin is best naturaly.

 

[Lakesailor]

And Bluto for the really tough stuff.

 

[kcrane]

Are you serious about the olive oil... how does that work then?

 

[pookey_amiko]

Sorry about the capitals - I had no idea it was rude!

As for the hints, I used a hairdryer and the stuff came off like magic. I removed 3 feet of naming and 22 feet of go faster stripes in 1/2 an hour! A little heat and a fine metal scraper and it was like butter.

I havent tackled the sticky stuff yet as it got dark and I have no outside lighting, but I'll try the WD40 tomorrow.

I appreciate your input, it's saved me loads of time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[billcowan]

Hay Hay Hay, he said he was REPAINTING his grp boat.
so the glue aint a problem, he is goung to have to scratch up the whole boat with 150 w&d before he paints it.

We did this yars ago. used Blakes two pack, very nice - really smartened up tired old GRP. Mind you have to touch up scratches after a year or two, and mabe a quick recoat once in a while.

 

[silvertop]

[ QUOTE ]
Are you serious about the olive oil

[/ QUOTE ]
Try, dont ask, you will find that the gue comes off and desolves. But dont ever use to lubricate rubber as the rubber will just break down very quickly.