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Decal Removal
Fishwisperer	#1  Posted on 04/26/10 - 12:45 PM
Member Posts: 15 Comments: 2 Joined: 05/03/09	I am in the final stages of restoring my 15Ft Whaler and she looks great. I purchased new decals. I removed the old ones with a heat gun and plastic scrapper, but it left a "glue Shadow". I have tried "GOO GONE" but it does not work. What will take this off without hurting the gel-coat?
Zamboni65	#2  Posted on 04/26/10 - 12:47 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 44 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/07/09	A very little bit of spray oven cleaner (not the lemon) put it on and take it off right away. Then polish the spot.
Fishwisperer	#3  Posted on 04/26/10 - 12:51 PM
Member Posts: 15 Comments: 2 Joined: 05/03/09	Thanx I'll try that.
Zamboni65	#4  Posted on 04/26/10 - 1:19 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 44 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/07/09	I race sailboats and we always have to put numbers on the bows for identification. Most of the time it is sticky back cloth but sometimes you use a sharpie. Just don't leave the oven cleaner on long. It is better to do it a few time than to leave it on long. Never use the lemon as it will leave a yellow mark.
HarleyFXDL	#5  Posted on 04/26/10 - 1:30 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 917 Comments: 30 Joined: 07/24/07	I would assume you would need to clean the area prior to installing the new stickers. Not sure what would be the best cleaner to use on gel coat. Kevin 1988 11' Super Sport, 1987 Johnson 15hp. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance "Vegetarian - old Indian word for bad fisherman."
MW	#6  Posted on 04/26/10 - 3:21 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1827 Comments: 10 Joined: 01/08/06	What I do: I use 100 % silicone spray (hdwr. store). It melts the adhesive glue right off without hurting anything. Then I wash the area with water and "Bon Ami" (has'nt scratched yet) cleanser, rinse. I put about a teaspoonful of Dawn dishwashing detergent with cool water in a spray bottle and spray the area the decal is to be applied, spray fingers and hands, and decal, get everything really soaking wet. Then I apply the decal to the wet hull. If I mess something up (crooked decal), I can still move the decal around on the hull to correct it. Let dry over night, and let everyone marvel on how "Perfect" you got it on one shot. Matt
mattgeiger	#7  Posted on 04/26/10 - 4:08 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 310 Comments: 2 Joined: 02/22/07	I have great success with Goo Gone. Key is to blot it with a soaked rag and let it sit. after 10 min go back with a dry towel and rub like crazy. The glue rolls off once you get the right rhythm. I just did the decals on my 86 and de-badged my Sequoia. I use a degreaser - Simple Green or Purple Power to prep the area. Follow the water advice above. I let my decals dry with backing paper attached for 24 hours before peeling off the paper. Another 24 hours passed and I waxed. Edited by mattgeiger on 04/26/10 - 4:09 PM Cape Dory 28 Hobie 20 Miracle A Class Catamaran
HarleyFXDL	#8  Posted on 04/26/10 - 6:28 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 917 Comments: 30 Joined: 07/24/07	MW, the glue on the decal has no problem sticking with the soapy water? Kevin 1988 11' Super Sport, 1987 Johnson 15hp. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance "Vegetarian - old Indian word for bad fisherman."
CES	#9  Posted on 04/26/10 - 6:48 PM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	Kevin, To answer your question, no. If you use his mehod and use a squeegy or something similiar to squeeze the water out, the decals will adhere just fine. I used that technique when I applied new Whaler decals on my boat. Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
Fishwisperer	#10  Posted on 04/28/10 - 7:18 AM
Member Posts: 15 Comments: 2 Joined: 05/03/09	Thank you all for the tips. I will try this wekend and let you know what works. 2 decals so I may experiment.
JohnnyCW	#11  Posted on 04/28/10 - 1:20 PM
Member Posts: 684 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/16/09	CES wrote: Kevin, To answer your question, no. If you use his mehod and use a squeegy or something similiar to squeeze the water out, the decals will adhere just fine. I used that technique when I applied new Whaler decals on my boat. Its also the standard method used by sign and graphics professionals.
Fishwisperer	#12  Posted on 05/03/10 - 12:58 PM
Member Posts: 15 Comments: 2 Joined: 05/03/09	Thanks for all the suggestions. Just thought I would get back to you all. After removing the decals with heat gun and plastic scrapper, the remaining glueshadow wa attacked with several methods that were suggested. Gloo-gone was the least effective. The easiest technique was the oven cleaner. I lso tried some other glue removing products, simple green and acetone. Now, next weekend I will apply the new ones using the soapy water spray technique that was suggested. I will try to post some pics. The boat looks great!! Thanx for all the help