PDA

View Full Version : Removing painted on hull numbers...what worked for me, with pics.



Mandelon
05-23-2004, 03:33 PM
I bought a Lavey 21 from RiverHolic a few months ago. He had it registered in AZ, but I live in San Diego and I do most of my boating in California. So I registered the boat here in CA. Unfortunately the CA numbers the state issued to me were not the same as the AZ numbers I already had. :confused: Imagine that. How inconvenient. :mad:
So we have to remove the old numbers and make way for the new. I searched here for advice and heard that Easy-Off might work. A quick check of the kitchen revealed that we did not have any. :( Wow, we have a self cleaning oven. :idea: Too bad I can't get a truck like that........
Anyway I went to the trusty local Home Depot to look for some paint removers......I found many brands to choose from. Unfortunately all of them said "not for use on fiberglass." :( Not to be so easily defeated I kept searching until I found a "Graffiti Remover" that was supposedly safe to use on anything! :)
I picked up a spray bottle of that and a plastic 1.5" putty knife to aid in the persuasion process of number removal.
Here is a pic of my supplies: The remover, rags, scrubby sponge, some tape and the putty knife. I thought it would be nice to have a helper, so I picked up the Saint Pauli Girl. She is easy to get along with and has big hooters.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/42March_17__2004_025-med.jpg
Here is the start of the project. I taped off the surrounding area, to minimize the mess and any damage (just in case). Notice that the bottom row of the tape has the edge turned out to act like a drip edge and keep the stuff from running down the hull. It worked well, but did get a little wet from the liquid remover.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/42March_17__2004_027-med.jpg
I sprayed the numbers liberally with the graffiti remover and let it sit for a minute. The Saint Pauli Girl and I had a brief encounter....
After the first pass with the scrubby sponge, it had roughed up the paint just a bit. I think it took some just to get through the wax coating. Once the first pass is done, it seems to soak into the paint a little faster. I wiped up the excess as it dripped off the tape.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/42March_17__2004_028-med.jpg

Mandelon
05-23-2004, 03:45 PM
After the first pass with the scrubby sponge, respray the letters and let it sit for a minute or two. Then hit it again. This pic is after the second pass with the scrubby sponge. This was a simple dishwashing sponge with the white nylon pad on it. Not a green scotchbrite pad.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/42March_17__2004_029-med.jpg
After that pass I then used the plastic putty knife to work the stubborn areas. It was interesting that some areas were much harder to remove than others. Probably the prep work makes the difference here.
This is after scraping and a quick wipe with a rag. Most of the paint is gone now, and it will only need a final cleaning.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/42March_17__2004_030-med.jpg
The last pass and it is all gone. Work time probably took about 20 minutes including my private time with the Saint Pauli Girl. It shined up nicely. I think a touch up with a polish wax would be the next step. But of course I will need to paint on the new numbers too....Here is the final product.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/42Lavey_afterpic-med.jpg
Not too difficult and the results were great. No fiberglass damage, and the painted on numbering is gone.
Here is the stuff I used. I think it was about $5.00 and the putty knife was 65 cents..
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/42March_17__2004_032-med.jpg

OutCole'd
05-23-2004, 04:24 PM
Thanks for the tip. If anyone ever tags my wall with CF numbers, I know what to do.:D
Boat looks good.

phebus
05-23-2004, 07:17 PM
Thanks Mandy. I am getting ready to do the same thing in reverse. The boat I bought has CF numbers, and I am registering it in AZ since we have a house there and do most of our boating out of there. Also that way I won't have to pay the luxury tax in CA. I was planning on using Easy Off oven cleaner as well, but after seeing your results, I think a trip to Home Desperate is in order.
Thanks,
Rick

Havasu Hangin'
05-23-2004, 07:25 PM
Originally posted by phebus
Also that way I won't have to pay the luxury tax in CA.
Smart man.
Wait...did you buy Rocky's boat?

powerplay230
05-23-2004, 07:30 PM
As long as "Lettering" paint was used, then Easy Off oven cleaner is the quickest easiest way to do it, won't hurt Fiberglass and I have even used it on lettering on side of truck a few yrs back. Any method you choose just try not to use anythign abrasive- even those green scotchbrite pads can scratch up your gel coat. Worst thing about Easy Off is the fumes have not tried the lemon scented or Fume Free yet...

phebus
05-23-2004, 08:19 PM
Originally posted by Havasu Hangin'
Smart man.
Wait...did you buy Rocky's boat?
No, didn't buy Rocky's. Loved it, but bought one not as tricked out because of a limited budget. Also, he had a buyer at the time we pulled the trigger on the one we bought. Here is the one we bought:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/1753Carrera_5-22-04_005__2__cropped-med.jpg

Havasu Hangin'
05-23-2004, 09:07 PM
Originally posted by phebus
No, didn't buy Rocky's.
Alright...then you are a smart man.

Mandelon
05-24-2004, 05:53 AM
The Graffiti Remover doesn't smell bad at all. No fumes. I did not have Easy Off so I can't compare the two. This did take a little elbow grease, but not much.

CustomCruiser
05-24-2004, 07:35 AM
Nice job, but I don't think you gave enough credit to your helper :D

Desert Rat
05-25-2004, 01:35 PM
Where are the pics????:confused: