posted July 01, 2008 12:33 PM
I have a customer who has a boat that had lettering originally painted with one shot. The lettering has been applied straight to the gelcoat/fiberglass on the boat. After about 10 years, it needs to be re-done. Should we strip the old lettering off completely, or is some scuffing/wet sanding enough for a re-paint. The new job will be applied with a paint mask. Any suggestions for a newby-letterhead will be appreciated.
posted July 01, 2008 01:02 PM
When you say the lettering has to be redone, do you mean a completly new name for the boat or the same job repainted? A 10year old paint should be able to be puffed off with a buffer and some compound. Or you can clean the chet out of it using BonAmi soap. But wha ever you do, you have to get off any old reside, whiteist stuff, grime, off where you will be working. Don't use the word 'strip' when removing lettering. It scares me, makes me think of canned paint remover. I prefer words like "color sand" or "puff off", they sound more freindly to me. When you repaint, don't forget to use a touch of hardener in your 1-Shot.
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posted July 01, 2008 02:19 PM
It will be the exact same name/font style. I would be suggesting the "prep" work for the customer to do prior to us applying the paint. I have a feeling, after he receives prices, we'll be doing "stickers" anyways. I do still want to be prepared to the job correctly in the event he prefers paint.
[ July 01, 2008, 02:20 PM: Message edited by: Adam M Cranmer ]
posted July 01, 2008 06:43 PM
I would wet sand and buff it out. any boat place could do this on the gel coat if your not set up to do that. if you reletter with mask I would use basecoat clearcoat auto paints OR high performance vinyl
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posted July 01, 2008 06:55 PM
I'd simplify the job by using a mask to the size lettering if I could find the font after which I'd scuff it for the bite. Too many things too consider would put you into another expense instead of just taking the money and run with it. I've done those many times when I lived in Florida. Gel coat is just fine after its been scuffed
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posted July 01, 2008 07:05 PM
What I would do, is once the old lettering is removed (by whatever method is best) use the inevitable ghost it will leave as a guide to re-paint it. Love....Jill
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posted July 01, 2008 08:10 PM
I'd lay down some clear mask, cut it as needed and wet sand it down to remove loose paint. After a good cleaning, paint it into the mask.
BONUS STEP...Once the hand cut mask is done, taking a rubbing might be a good idea. If they want to do it in vinyl, you'll have a guide to fit the design to.
One of the problems I've had in the past is that gel coat tends to oxidize and tinge after 10+ years and unless you plan on scuffing/sanding/chemically treating the entire area, spot repairs will show that can't really be "burned in" or blended like a car. With a mask, you'll on spot repair what will be covered later.
my 2... Rapid
[ July 01, 2008, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
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posted July 02, 2008 10:01 AM
Here was the boat freshly completed approx. 10 years ago. I think this one might be over my head for a newby. It doesn't look like it was a "perfect" job to start with, and the customer says as long as it looks good "from a distance", so I am still entertaining the idea of getting my feet wet (read: diving in head first). I told him, he needs to have the orignal lettering cleaned off completely, so we can "clean up" the design a little bit. I shouldn't have to match exactly what was there. Any brushes, techniques, tips, suggestions would be appreciated. Anyone near Central FL want the job?
[ July 02, 2008, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: Adam M Cranmer ]
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