Removing Sign Paint - HELP

[chrisk]

I just bought a boat and the previous owner had the registration numbers painted on... The hull sides are paint as well. I beleive the registration numbers are in sign paint, they do scrape off with my finger nail but its tough. Any suggestions how to remove the sign paint without harming the fiberglass and paint under it?

[jayboat]

Easy-off oven cleaner. Spray it on and let it sit for 15 minutes. A plastic pot scrubber (plastic steel-wool-like thingy) can help break it down. If it's on there thick, repeat. Wipe off the goo with a paper towel before rinsing. Sometimes the cleaner will yellow the gel a little, if that happens wipe with bleach. Watch for any runs- don't let it get to any vinyl stripes, etc. Try not to get that chit on your skin.

[chrisk]

will the easy off hurt the paint under under it?

[cigdaze]

Easy-off oven cleaner. Spray it on and let it sit for 15 minutes. A plastic pot scrubber (plastic steel-wool-like thingy) can help break it down. If it's on there thick, repeat. Wipe off the goo with a paper towel before rinsing. Sometimes the cleaner will yellow the gel a little, if that happens wipe with bleach. Watch for any runs- don't let it get to any vinyl stripes, etc. Try not to get that chit on your skin.

But if the numbers are painted on top of the original painted graphics, will it effect those as well?

[Ted]

will the easy off hurt the paint under under it?

Yes, that would be the problem. If it is gel under there, Easy Off is fine. But if it is paint over paint the Easy Off will damage the underlying paint.

[DAREDEVIL]

If u can scrape them off with your finger nail,,then they are on top of the clear coat .....so just use a scrubbing pad and some fine sand paper after they are off...like 1500 grid and buff the clear back out !!!!!!!..
I would also try acetone ,,,since it will not hurt the clear !

By the way,,oven cleaner is not for boats cars or things like that,,,it says already oven on it !!!!!!!! LOLOLOL

Unprofessional...ttttt

[jayboat]

If u can scrape them off with your finger nail,,then they are on top of the clear coat .....so just use a scrubbing pad and some fine sand paper after they are off...like 1500 grid and buff the clear back out !!!!!!!..
I would also try acetone ,,,since it will not hurt the clear !

By the way,,oven cleaner is not for boats cars or things like that,,,it says already oven on it !!!!!!!! LOLOLOL

Unprofessional...ttttt

I've used it on dozens of boats, know-it-all.

[DAREDEVIL]

I've used it on dozens of boats, know-it-all.

I know,,that is what makes u a good fotographer ,,,not a mechanic..lololol

[Chris]

Since when is innovation unprofessional?

And where do you think all those products sitting on the shelf came from? Someone tried something different.

[jayboat]

I know,,that is what makes u a good fotographer ,,,not a mechanic..lololol

You're a real comedian.

I've lettered over a thousand boats in my life - I didn't realize you had to be a mechanic to do it.

For someone with your reputation, you've got a helluva lot of nerve making that comment.

[glassdave]

i agree with Jay, I've had good results with E-Z-Off as well. Also works on bottom paint. You do have to take care with trying to remove sign paint with it. Do a test area and keep an eye on it. Works best with paint that is only over gelcoat.

[Davidmnc]

You're a real comedian.

I've lettered over a thousand boats in my life - I didn't realize you had to be a mechanic to do it.

For someone with your reputation, you've got a helluva lot of nerve making that comment.

Ding Ding *Lets get ready to RUMMMBBBLLLLLEEEEE*

[chrisk]

will the easy off hurt the clear coat?

[glassdave]

depends what kind of clear it is, do a test patch somewhere you cant see like low on the transom. I did a 42 Tiger that had this god awful attempt at graphics over 75% of the original paint job. Luckily it was a quality job from Dave Hunter and i was able to save a large part of it with a similar product called Lift-off. You do have to keep an eye on it while its working and do small areas at a time, it will soften the clear if left on to long.

[DAREDEVIL]

You're a real comedian.

I've lettered over a thousand boats in my life - I didn't realize you had to be a mechanic to do it.

For someone with your reputation, you've got a helluva lot of nerve making that comment.

LOL...ok , mechanic was wrong..but i thought he is talking about taking PAINT off of painted erea....mmmmmhhhh maybe i am wrong.

WHATEVER, mess it up bro !!!!!!!

Never seen anybody use OVEN CLEANER on a car, did u ???!!!!

And my reputation..lol,,,,,did i ever care ???
The people that had things done from me are happy.
Or do u say NOT ????!!!!!

I guess u woke up on the wrong foot this morning,,,come down JAY !!!

THE SUN IS OUT SO LETS BE NICE !!!!!

[Trim'd Up]

I used easy-off to remove the name from the transom of a previous boat and it worked well. I also use sno-bowl toilet bowl cleaner to remove stains from gelcoat. Neither are for the intended purpose but they work. I'm not a mechanic though, so wtf would I know.

[DAREDEVIL]

I used easy-off to remove the name from the transom of a previous boat and it worked well. I also use sno-bowl toilet bowl cleaner to remove stains from gelcoat. Neither are for the intended purpose but they work. I'm not a mechanic though, so wtf would I know.

HEY,,,,,,,,I AM TALKING ABOUT USING THIS STUFF ON PAINT, NOT GELCOAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT WILL EAT UP MOST PAINTS !!!!!!!!!

But ,i just relized i am not a mechanic either ..so i would not know anything as well !!!!!!

LOLOLOL

[chrisk]

Here is a pic the blue is paint / cleared. I have been scrapping with my finger nail for about 20 minutes and that is all i got off - lol.
I was hoping there was an easier way

[DAREDEVIL]

Here is a pic the blue is paint / cleared. I have been scrapping with my finger nail for about 20 minutes and that is all i got off - lol.
I was hoping there was an easier way

1500 grid sand paper on a DA, then buff clear back to shine !!!!!!!!

[rchevelle71]

1500 grid sand paper on a DA, then buff clear back to shine !!!!!!!!

That would work, but first I would try a mild solvent like mineral spirits, if that doesnt work, move up to the next harshest, but like others have said, try it on a less conspicuous area first. Acetone will most likely take it off, and not hurt the clear, especially if it is a urethane clear, has cured, and you dont rub too hard. then just buff it if needed.