Removal of painted signwriting

[Gin]

Does anyone have recommendation as to which chemical I can use to remove a painted/stencilled name on a tender.

Something which will not damage the gelcoat is a priority!

 

[Talbot]

You should be able to remove it realively easily just using rubbing compound, you will need to rub down the surrounding area anyway as even if you use a paint remover , the faded paintwork contrasted against the area under the paint will still reveal the previous name.

 

[Gin]

Thanks for the advice, I shall try what you suggest

 

[Gin]

Bit of elbow grease and the rubbing compund did the trick.

Thanks again.

 

[HeadMistress]

Believe it or not, oven cleaner is what the pros here use to remove painted boat names...and I've used it myself with great success on two boats. It will NOT harm gelcoat, but should not be used on hulls that have been painted, 'cuz it'll take that paint off too.

Tools needed: rubber gloves, a metal spatula, plastic scubber, water (a hose is best) and a big sponge.

Spray the oven cleaner on one or two letters only...wait about 5 minutes--you want to give it time to work, but do NOT let it dry (which is why you only want to do a couple of letters at a time). Scrape with metal spatula. That should remove at least 90% of the letter(s). Spray again, plus the next letter or two...wait a few minutes...remove the last of the first letters with the scrubber, use the spatula on the next letters...wash well with water. Repeat till the whole name is gone, then wash the whole area VERY well with detergent and water.

If the name has been on very long, it's likely to leave a "ghost" where the letters were, because the gelcoat around them has oxidized whereas the gelcoat under the letters hasn't. Repeated applications of straight bleach to the "ghost" leaving that side of the boat exposed to the sun will fade the ghost completely in a few weeks.

It took me a little more than an hour to remove "Casey Leigh II" spread all the way across a 12' wide transom in large script lettering, about the same amount of time of remove "Serendipity" from an even wider transom...about a month of spraying bleach on the transom every few days to get rid of the "ghosts" on both boats completely.