Decal removal

[cddetelich]

Hi everybody,
I have a 1999 215 Explorer, and the decals on the hull have seen better days. I don't think I want to bother replacing them (if I can find them) but I am worried about the color of the hull underneath.
If I decide to strip them off next fall, is there some sort of magic polish or compound I can use so there will not be any shadows left on the white hull?
As always, thanks for the advice.
Charlie Detelich

[pete]

There is no magic,removing decals on an older boat will usually result in some degree of "ghosting"due to the fact that the uncovered gelcoat gets faded while the gelcoat under the decals does not.Try a good grade of marine compound with a rotary buffer followed by a good waxing.If you are happy with the result,you're good,if not a local sign shop should be able to re create your decals on a vinyl cutter.Good luck!

[gran398]

Heard someone say once to use Easy-Off oven cleaner.

[bondobill]

Do a search on here

While back Lewis had a good post about a tool for removal of stripes.

In my profession we call em eraser wheels.

Bill

[wingtime]

I've done my fair share of decal removal over the years.  The biggest thing is the condition of the vinyl itself.  If it is dried out and cracked you can forget peeling it off. There is no magic spray or cleaner  you can put on top of it to remove it.  You have to get to the glue under the vinyl and the only way a cleaner can do that is by melting the vinyl.  Anything strong enough to do that will damage the fiberglass.  If is not dried out and cracked you can peel it off by gently heating it and peeling it.  Then you need a adhesive remover such as goof off or 3M adhesive cleaner to clean off the glue.  Using a razor blade is risky since most people dig into the surface causing more damage.  They do make a plastic razor blade that works well but they are hard to find since they are only sold by sign supply companies.    The best method by far is a vinyl eraser tool that you put in a drill motor or a specialized air tool.  They are made of a soft gum type eraser and they remove the vinyl and most of the glue.  Here is one source for them:  http://www.eastwood.com/vinyl-eraser-and-arbor.html?utm_content=37023&utm_campaign=GoogleSean02&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Merchant-Centre&SRCCODE=1SE0756  Once you have the graphics off your boat you will notice the gel coat till be raised up a bit and darker than the surrounding gel coat.  This is due to the gel coat on the boat oxidizing and wearing off over time.  The only way to remove this is wet sand the area with 600 grit sand paper then 800 grit.  Then buff the area with a buffer and compound.

[GoneFission]

Yes - Lewis has a magic eraser for decals.  Send him a PM and he can tell you what to use.