Removing hand painted boat name

[ALBIN]

I am looking for some advice on removing the former name off the transom of a 95 28TE.
It is handpainted and also appears to have a clear coat applied over the letters as well.
The hull is dark blue and the gelcoat is currently in good condition.

The local sign shop recommended removal with mineral spirits and this had no effect.

Would 3M super duty compound work? Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

[RobS]

Does not hurt to try the 3M compound, like Extra Cut. However, it may require wet sanding, changing to higher numbered (finer) papers as you progress, and then complete it with a compounding

[Old School]

Not to highjack the thread but....

Does anybody know how to take the name on the transom that is a decal?

[ALBIN]

Try a heat gun for decals and use a plastic putty knife to scrape it off.
Harbor freight has a dual setting heat gun for about $12.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt- ... 96289.html

[RobS]

For decals I use a rubber wheel on a drill. An autobody guy turned me on to it. Took my port of call off in minutes and very safe too.

[ALBIN]

Rob
I have never wet sanded before.
what is the process?
hand or sander?

Tim

[RobS]

You need to buy good quality wet sanding paper. If you were just doing it to remove only oxidation 1000 or 1200 would probably be fine but for what you are doing you may need to go down to 600. Get 600, 1000, 1500 and 2000 paper. Dunk the paper in a bucket of water continually as you sand, keeping the surface wet and continuously cleaning the paper in the bucket. Start with the 1000 and see if that removes the clear coat and paint. You probably will need to go down to the 600. I would not go any lower than 600. Once you find the right grit for the removal job sand off all of the painted name. Be careful not to make deeper scours with your fingertips or palms. You can put a flexible pad, or a sponge, between your hand and the paper, not a block of wood though, it's gotta contour to the transom.

Once the name is gone, work your way up with the different grits until you end up with the 2000 paper. You can refresh the water with clean water and add a little soap for the final sanding with 2000. When your done with 2000 you will have a good shine back. Follow it with heavy and light compounds and she should look like new. If you are having it renamed right away you may not want to wax it.

[RobS]

For decals I use a rubber wheel on a drill. An autobody guy turned me on to it. Took my port of call off in minutes and very safe too.

Here's what I was referring to:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... 5GMFSMV0gl

3M Stripe Off Wheel.jpg

[efishnsea]

I had great results using oven cleaner and then compounding the rest. Use easy off in the jar and apply carefully to painted areas only. Have a hose ready to rinse off and neutrilize excess material or drips. Then compound until completely cleaned then wax. Good Luck Bob

[JerseyNSC40]

My last Albin had nice gold painted letters , but a bad name. I had a guy remove and change name. I asked him how he got it off and he said oven cleaner and compound also. The compound was more for the darker areas that did not fade because they were covered.

[ALBIN]

Ended up wet sanding it using Rob's excellent advice and and really worked great.

Oven cleaner had no effect on that type of paint.

Finished up by applying Boats US graphics for an inexpensive but great looking name change.

Tim