Does anyone out there have an answer as to how to remove hand lettering from a fiber glass boat hull? I'm kinda leary about "Easy Off" oven cleaner! What's thee best way to do this?
Thanks alot!!!
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
I use an elictric D/A sander...220 paper dont be fussy about getting all the paint off. then watersand with 320...400..600...1200. add a few drops of detergent to water finish up with a nice mild compound.. Sand the entire transom with the 400 600..and ultra fine... this will freshen the area. faster than any chemical ...and you have a brandnew surface. clean up with Rapid Prep.... letter or stikker... next stop...the bank! I charge at least $150 for a cleanup like this..
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
Where have you been Mikey?
Posted by jmathel (Member # 526) on :
I've had good luck using a home-made industrial strength rubbing compound made from FFF powdered pumice made into a paste with lacquer thinner. Go easy as this stuff will really cut. FFF pumice is powdered volcanic glass. You can get it at most any paint store that caters to contractors.
Follow up the pumice with a buffing wheel and polishing compound. You can hand polish if the boat is in the water.
The only problem you may have is that the old lettering will sometimes leave a "ghost image" on the fiberglass gel coat.
[ May 10, 2002, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: jmathel ]
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
Santo..Im "lurkin!".with dark glasses.....n a trenchcoat...with a 70 year old fedora!!! Jerry...the reason I sand the entire area is to get rid of that ghost.. sand n buff. Most boats have a pretty thick layer of gelcoat.. Havent burned thru one yet.."knock on fibergalss!!!!!!!!!"heheh
Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :
I just changed a boat name that was painted on. The easiest way is to use oven cleaner (original formula). It just bubbles the paint off in no time. It does not hurt the gelcoat. After the paint bubbles up in about ten minutes, use a wet paper towel to remove the remains. Go over it again a couple of times with wet paper towels or rinse with a water hose if available. If any paint is left, repeat. You will want to use gloves and eye protection and rinse any overspray that gets on you. Cheers
Posted by Ben Sherr (Member # 2874) on :
I'm with Rob. I used Easy-off on a 28' sportfisherman a few weeks ago, with no ill effects.
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
If it were your boat, I might consider Easy Off. If it's my boat, I use a product made for the purpose from a marine supply house. No abrasives, either....not yet. After the paint's off, buff it with 3-M's heavy duty compound and Finesse-It II. hk
Posted by T.Howell (Member # 875) on :
The condition of the gelcoat is a key issue. On dull and porous gelcoat EasyOff will turn the gelcoat yellow, however using any other solvents will usually stain it with the paint color (red being the worst). I always use EasyOff first, then if I have to buff, I buff. If not,I got off easy.
You can do a test of sorts by putting a blue stabillo line on the gelcoat and try wiping it off.If it takes a lot of spit and elbow grease to get it off, you will probably have to buff. If it wipes right off dry there is a good chance no buffing will be required.
I try not to leave the oven cleaner on for longer than a minute per application.
Have also heard of a product called "Goof-Off". Anyone ever try it?
Posted by Jay Nichols (Member # 2842) on :
A little bit of Clorox on a rag will usually take out any yellow coloring caused by the Easy Off.
While yer removing the old paint, keep an eye on any runs-- dont let that stuff get to the bottom paint!
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Sometimes I use alcohol soaked paper towels covered with saran wrap. I've found times when this didn't work and used the ICC 596 hand cleaner we use in the shop. I squirted it on my hand, rubbed the lettering off, and washed my hand and the boat.
