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how do you get graphics off a painted hull?

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(@optikid)
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[#3466]

so i go paid to clean a 1976 nacra 5.2. it has blue graphics on the side the guy wants me to them take off, since the hulls are painted how would i take it off with out messing up the paint?
thanks

Edited by optikid on Nov 26, 2012 - 05:05 PM.


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 7:26 am
MN3
 MN3
(@mn3)
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you can use a razor to scrape it off, or a pressure washer to blast it off, or sand paper to get to the gelcoat under it... . all methods are delicate, and may not result in great results.

razors are a pain to work with, and you will inevitably ruin some gelcoat in spots. It will leave a ghost (UV) outline of the decal.

pressure washers can/will burn through a hull if used incorrectly (seen it done recently), and will leave a ghost image.

& sanding off the decal will probably also leave a ghost image unless you are going to reshoot gelcoat over it

Edited by MN3 on Nov 26, 2012 - 03:20 PM.


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 7:54 am
(@optikid)
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im using razors to start it then im peeling it, it works good but leaves the adhesive, how can i get the adhesive off?


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 10:07 am
Ron
 Ron
(@nacra55)
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Acetone but may remove paint. Maybe alcohol?

Edited by nacra55 on Nov 26, 2012 - 04:39 PM.


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 10:29 am
(@klozhald)
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optikid wrote: how can i get the adhesive off?

Goo Gone. Cheap and easy.


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 10:39 am
popeyez7
(@popeyez7)
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~~ Acetone might take the paint off.... Are you sure the hulls are painted?? I think I would'av stayed away from it... Let the owner screw it up, then he can't blame you


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 10:40 am
(@optikid)
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he gave me 100$ to clean it then i told him i cant do the graphics. then he told me 50$ to take it off and he dosent care about the paint. but i want to take the least amount of paint off as possible.


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 11:39 am
(@scotts1w)
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+1 Goo Gone
+1 razor blades
+1 on the ghosts, in any event.
I always have a heat gun handy.
Some plastic putty knives (burnishers) may come in handy.
My sister has a sign business and watching her I've learned to be flexible and have several methods available. We keep acetone around as it's helped me get left over adhesive off. Lighter fluid can loosen things up, but not close to the heat gun. Every method has it's advantages and pit falls. Lots of rags, towels with heavy texture.


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 12:04 pm
(@scotts1w)
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or try this method:
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=11256


 
Posted : November 26, 2012 1:13 pm
(@ricardoben)
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3M makes and Adhesive remover that makes Goo Gone look like glue. It will NOT harm the paint like Acetone can and thinner will.

I would not use the razor, a plastic scraper and the 3M stuff will make it much better. If the hulls are painted it will be worse. If they are gelcoat you will be fine. JMHO, YMMV, Richard.


 
Posted : November 27, 2012 8:04 am
(@optikid)
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they are painted


 
Posted : November 27, 2012 9:50 am
(@scotts1w)
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ooh..... tough.


 
Posted : November 27, 2012 12:12 pm
(@bacho)
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popeyez7 wrote: ~~ I think I would'av stayed away from it... Let the owner screw it up, then he can't blame you

This is good advise, I am assuming this guy is a friend. There are times its better to turn down the $50 and make sure that you stay friends.

To remove the graphics, I would have the boat out in the sun and gently peel the vinyl with your fingers/ plastic scraper. Then get the adhesive off with any sort of adhesive remover. Goof-off is basically Xylene, and its much cheaper just to buy the Xylene. Keep in mind its not something you want to breathe or get on your skin.


 
Posted : November 28, 2012 7:31 am
(@optikid)
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will i have goof off. it wont mess up the paint?


 
Posted : November 28, 2012 9:50 am
popeyez7
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~~ Thanks bacho~~ Optikid.. Do ya have time to back out of it??? If not, then be real careful... I wouldn't use Acetone. That might take the paint off.. I screwed up one of my hulls and used it to strip the paint off, but it wasn't totally cured/dried, so don't trust it.. Use a plastic scraper or a old rusty razor... I've saved them for a purpose like that. I don't throw anything away and keep stuff like that for a reason, except my EX wife... Try using what some of the other guys mentioned and if ya don't do it and need the 50 bucks we'll take up a collection for ya.... I'll start it, heres a dollar >>> $1.00 😆


 
Posted : November 28, 2012 9:51 am
(@optikid)
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i have the sticker off one hull, its to late. im going to put some goof off on under the tramp and see what the paint does


 
Posted : November 28, 2012 11:12 am
bill harris
(@coastrat)
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wd40 loosens up adhesive and isn't too hot to melt paint...


 
Posted : November 28, 2012 1:22 pm
(@ricardoben)
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Goof Off is acetone, get the adhesive remover, it will not take much. JMHO, Richard.


 
Posted : November 29, 2012 10:05 am
Damon Linkous
(@damon-linkous)
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RicardOben wrote: Goof Off is acetone, get the adhesive remover, it will not take much. JMHO, Richard.

Not acetone, but still don't want to gargle with it.


 
Posted : November 29, 2012 10:51 am
(@klozhald)
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DamonLinkous wrote: [quote=RicardOben]Goof Off is acetone, get the adhesive remover, it will not take much. JMHO, Richard

Not acetone, but still don't want to gargle with it.

Working altrernative is Goo Gone. Citrus based adhesive remover with light kerosene:

http://googone.com/Goo-Gone-Problem-Solving

Standard Goo Gone works well on fiberglass (I have used it) but they also make an automotive version if you are nervous. Manufacturer says both are safe for fibreglass.

And it is cheap.


 
Posted : November 30, 2012 3:50 am
(@jennameyer)
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Klozhald is right with the goo gone. Great stuff. But It wont be as fast or as spectacular as a small strategically placed thermonuclear device. A industrial blow dryer device will work well also. I am opposed to razors as they tend to get the gelcoat eventually. Acetone for clean up is good too after you clear the gunk off. You want a bit more then $50 thats for sure. Depending on the boat age you may have a permanent raised area were the surrounding gelcoat has worn away. I had that happen when we regelcoated my Nacra 5.7. ps Acme Nuclear Products may have the correct device for blowing off the stencils. Good Luck

Edited by JennaMeyer on Dec 06, 2012 - 10:57 AM.


 
Posted : December 6, 2012 3:55 am
(@scotts1w)
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I live in a perpetual state of confusion.
That said, I don't understand why we keep talking about removing (what I and others originally thought was) vinyl lettering when his 11-27 post indicates the lettering is painted?
Is this painted or vinyl?


 
Posted : December 6, 2012 4:32 am
(@jennameyer)
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scotts1w wrote: I live in a perpetual state of confusion.
That said, I don't understand why we keep talking about removing (what I and others originally thought was) vinyl lettering when his 11-27 post indicates the lettering is painted?
Is this painted or vinyl?

Either way the thermo nuclear device will get the job done, no worries. If its paint that comes off with the prep sanding if you are going to gelocoat. Oscillating random sanders work well. Nice 5.7 by the way. I loved mine and hated to sell it. Paint removal without gelcoat is going to be very visable. Just my humble opinion.


 
Posted : December 6, 2012 4:44 am
(@optikid)
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scotts1w wrote: I live in a perpetual state of confusion.
That said, I don't understand why we keep talking about removing (what I and others originally thought was) vinyl lettering when his 11-27 post indicates the lettering is painted?
Is this painted or vinyl?

the letters are vinyl the hulls are painted, im using go gone and it works.

sorry for the confusion, somewone asked if the hulls are painted for sure, thats why i said it painted

Edited by optikid on Dec 06, 2012 - 07:10 PM.


 
Posted : December 6, 2012 12:07 pm
(@scotts1w)
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Ok! Well that's settled.
Now I'm just in my regular state of confusion.
Good luck on the project.
Very nice cat yourself Jenna. Where do you sail her? And why are you so excited about blowing things up with the nuclear option?


 
Posted : December 6, 2012 1:31 pm
(@jennameyer)
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scotts1w wrote: Ok! Well that's settled.
Now I'm just in my regular state of confusion.
Good luck on the project.
Very nice cat yourself Jenna. Where do you sail her? And why are you so excited about blowing things up with the nuclear option?

Scott,, Hehe,, that would be all the years I called on quarries blasting rock. The manger at one site told me "There is no problem that cannot be solved with the proper application of high explosives" I guess his humor stuck and decals are nasty to get off if they have been on for many years. My Infusion, I sail at Sandy Hook Bay in New Jersey and belong to the cat club there. My 5.7 was soooooo much fun and very forgiving. I went to the square top mylar sails from Elliot Pattison and they really kicked up the performance a notch or two. I just wish it had the newer style rudder system that the 570's have. The boat was in really fine condition and is now on Lake Murray in SC with some nice folks there.


 
Posted : December 8, 2012 8:11 am
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