Removing painted on lettering

[samwise]

We need to remove some lettering that has been painted on to the hull of our Westerly. The letters have been painted on to the familar Westerly dark blue six inch wide strip running just below the rubbing strake.

Is there any way we can remove the letters without damaging the strip? We don't know what paint was used for the letters, I assume it was cellulose, but I could be wrong.

It can be chipped off, but my wife took about 10 minutes to pick off just a small part of one letter.

All ideas and suggestions welcomed.

 

[Talbot]

Really depends on what the dark blue is made off. If this is coloured GRP, then it is relatively easy. Acetone will remove the painted on words without too much drama. However the dark blue underneath the lettering will be the original colour without any fading, so you will need to cut back the surrounding dark blue to match - Farecla G7 and a proper sander polisher + a blue foam polishing mop will do the business.

 

[aidancoughlan]

In my copy of "Quick & Easy Boat Maintenance" (from US Boating magazine) it suggests....

"Want to change the painted-on name and registration numbers on the boat you just inherited? If the boat still has the original gelcoat, spray on oven cleaner or barbecue grill cleaner on the painted letters, wait 10 minutes and the lettering bubbles up and wipes right off. Then thoroughly rinse the area with soap & water, before painting or applying new decals".

Not sure why it qualifies this for 'original gelcoat' .... doesnt say.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Are you sure that its painted on? Some old stick on graphics look a bit like paint and with them a hot air gun gets them straight off.

Be the way we just polished our Westerly's blue stripe and it comes up a treat.