REMOVING vinyl stickers off fiberglass boats?

Question

I recently purchase a used boat and it has a "boat name", I think it's a vinyl sticker, on it from the previous owner. Does someone know the best way to remove it? Without damaging the fiberglass?

thanks,

Answer 1

Heat is your friend in this case.  If you can get the sun to shine on your vinyl, it should be easy.

For the best and proper way to remove it, look in the phone book under "Truck Lettering", "Signs" or something like that.  The lettering on most trucks is not painted, but is vinyl.  Such as "Bob's 24 hour Heat & AC".  If you ask nice and tell them your problem, they should offer advice.  If you have a name you would like to use, you could get them to make it and apply it, but part of the job is to remove old one first.

Answer 2

Do not use a hair/blow drier. DO NOT!

Heat and fiberglass do not mix, except for basic UV or outside temperature. Don't overheat your fiberglass if you can ever avoid it. It's a really bad practice.

I'll try to remember to ask our local sign shop tomorrow, they only work on boats.

I would give it a go with a razor blade, but be careful not to gouge the gelcoat, I assume it's gelcoat. A blade can be used on paint, too, but you have to have a steady hand.

Okay, I asked him. He uses a heat gun sometimes. He will not recommend a heat gun because people have tried to hold him accountable for their mistakes. It's easy to s***w it up if you aren't on top of it.

The VA guy is right, too. If it's gelcoat, you could have a shadow. If it's acrylic paint, don't use heat. LP paint, you will probably make a dull spot where you hold the heat.

Just be careful.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Heat it up with a hair dryer, and try and get it to peel off. If not, try to gently pry it up with a plastic spatula or putty knife. To remove the excess sticky stuff use some WD-40. But clean off the excess immediately.

Answer 4

Try using a blow dryer and then use a mild liquid soap and warm water to remove glue.

Answer 5

Despite above answers, use a cheap hair drier as they will only heat the stickers up enough to soften the adhesive. then using a piece of plastic (e'g cut from an ice cream container). Gently peel the label off. Use some cheap "brake clean" (from the local auto parts shop)to take the residue of the glue off then use a product called "Grunt" to buff the entire hull. Practice on a small area first!!

Answer 6

you will need a heat gun, some acetone, some rags

Hold the heat gun about 1 foot away (DO NOT HOLD ON ONE SPOT FOR TOO LONG) once the sticker starts to heat up it will peal right off, (but will likely leave some nasty sticky stuff).

Heat each sticker and peel off best you can.  Once this is done, get your rags, pour some acetone on them and clean the sticky stuff off...

Once everything is off, give her a good cleaning

Answer 7

How long was the name on the boat? Can you live with the name she was given? Why do I ask you ask? Glad you asked.

The name will come off but a blow dryer may not do the trick if the name has been on the boat for a number of years. Adhesive does not stay tacky but does dry out over time. But this is not why I'm glad you asked.

Gelcoat discoloration is why. The area not covered by the name is going to have faded and the area under it is going to be in much better shape. Get rid of the vinyl name and chances are you will still see it.

Yes, you can work extremely hard at getting the "glass" back to almost having the name not show but again...if you can live with the name you may want to consider leaving it on.

Course if it's the name of the gal you dated before you met your wife...change it and put hers over top of what shows in the gelcoat!