View Full Version : Removing old lettering


bassballer
03-24-2017, 08:27 AM
As soon as we get a weather window i need to remove the old name on the new boat. I have a heat gun and plastic scraper, but saw some good reviews on the 3M eraser tool. I might pick one up as well. Anyone have good luck with any of the typical or out of the box methods?

JFigliuolo
03-24-2017, 08:55 AM
I think the real question is where are some pictures?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

bassballer
03-24-2017, 09:23 AM
Couple pics in my phone Joe from when i looked at it at the end of last season. In the process of rigging it out.

64058

64059

JFigliuolo
03-24-2017, 09:36 AM
NICE. Enjoy her. I think I smell tuna.

BFThunter
03-24-2017, 10:21 AM
If the name is vinyl all you need is a heat gun and a new razor blade to get each letter started. If you only lift the corner with the blade you'll be able to heat the letter and peel it without leaving any residue.

I see your boat is blue- you might be surprised with the difference in color under the letters. Someone near me had a 32+2 that got awlgripped because it was so faded.

niko
03-24-2017, 10:58 AM
Used a razor to do mine last year
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

BEETLE
03-24-2017, 12:44 PM
IF you do not have a light touch with that razor blade, you WILL scratch the gel. And yes most likely there IS going to be a color difference where the letters were, unless they were only there for a short time, especially a dark color. You may be able to compound buff and glaze the area after the letters are removed and take some of the curse away.
I have used the 3M erasers back in my Auto body days, works but will be somewhat tedious on such large area, you may need more than 1.
Perhaps one of our active Auto body repair pros will chime in, raiderron or fishfreak, with some advice.
Nice rig by the way.:kewl:

Raider Ronnie
03-24-2017, 04:22 PM
You can hire me.
I'll bring all tools & supplies necessary and buff before I install.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Guppy
03-24-2017, 04:55 PM
Heat gun took them off my pickup, peeled right off
Then citric goof off, Polish , wax

What's her new name?

Best of luck with her, she's a beauty!

Duke41
03-24-2017, 06:08 PM
Did this 7 years ago scratched the crap out of the hull. Used a razor blade and I have zero patience

bassballer
03-26-2017, 08:42 PM
Boat name is DOG DAZE II.

Ill heat gun it and have an eraser for back up. I'm ready for ghost lettering. Im thinking a light sand if i have too.

Nebe
03-26-2017, 09:12 PM
Boat name is DOG DAZE II.

Ill heat gun it and have an eraser for back up. I'm ready for ghost lettering. Im thinking a light sand if i have too.
Just change a few letters around. For example- "DO DABS" would be sweet.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

bassballer
03-27-2017, 10:57 AM
Just change a few letters around. For example- "DO DABS" would be sweet.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

thats the new boat name brah!

currently its names Miss Darcy.

bassballer
03-27-2017, 10:59 AM
Our Sailfish was DOG DAZE and we had great luck wih that boat. Keeping the name alive with DOG DAZE II.

bassballer
03-27-2017, 11:01 AM
Our Sailfish was DOG DAZE and we had great luck wih that boat. Keeping the name alive with DOG DAZE II.

Heres the new design for the back of the new one. Gets put on in a couple weeks so i need to get moving

64085

Sea Dangles
03-27-2017, 02:56 PM
I like it
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

bassballer
03-30-2017, 04:20 PM
got the lettering off using heat gun and blade. Couple hours but not to bad. I have some serious ghost lettering though. I hope it will buff out with some heavy duty compound.

Guppy
03-30-2017, 05:52 PM
Start with polish me thinks.....

nightfighter
03-30-2017, 06:44 PM
Sorry, but it is not going to buff out totally. Just do the best you can, put on the new name and don't let it push your buttons.... I can still see the ghost of the stripe I took off my Grady nine years ago. Two grits of compounding and wetsanded down to 3000 grit. Did not want to go any further into gelcoat. I can also make out the name of the previous owner of my box truck if the light hits it right. Given the effort I put into both, it just doesn't bother me anymore.
Be sure to check thru hulls.... I had to replace all of mine as they were Delran (plastic). Replaced with chromed bronze. Old ones will snap out easily with long screw driver as outer flange gets brittle from UV rays.

JFigliuolo
03-31-2017, 07:23 AM
Problem is that the area AROUND the letters had faded and the area UNDER the letters is pristine. You would need to get aggressive compounding/wetsanding the entire transom to get it to match the virgin area you just exposed.
1. Easier said than done.
2. IMO, not worth the effort.
3. I don't really have a #3.

bassballer
03-31-2017, 09:33 AM
yeah im just going to do the 3 step process as I'll d with the rest of the hull. Whenever it looks when done will be it. Im not going to wetsand.

bassballer
04-12-2017, 09:41 AM
Got the new name on. Can barely see the ghost lettering after 2 coats of compound, 1 cleaner wax, and 1 finish wax. came out good!

64158

Guppy
04-12-2017, 04:22 PM
Handsome!
Fair winds and calm seas to ya

bassballer
04-12-2017, 05:11 PM
BTW, i think I'm close to breaking the wife on why we need to remove the sim platform!!

piemma
04-13-2017, 07:06 AM
Looks good Jay. Best of luck with her. I'll find ya. Gonna splash next week.

bassballer
04-13-2017, 10:16 AM
Thanks Paul, ill be launching the 24th to start some togging. Ill let you know when im in and maybe we can meet up in the bay.

beamie
04-13-2017, 03:47 PM
The boat name came out pissa. You are probably the only one that can see the ghost lettering since your the one that did the job.

Looks good from here.

Sea Dangles
04-13-2017, 09:23 PM
Nice job
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device