Removing pinstripe?

[concept]

Hi everyone,

Still considering getting this Swedish made boat, but we can't stand the pinstriping and name. They are decals "touched up" with paint.

Is there any way to remove and repaint just this area without having to repaint the entire hull? A sort of quick fix to get it in the water soon. Or do we need to get used to it.

I would also like to change the light blue stripe on top to a darker navy blue. Could I just repaint on top of the old, flat, paint?

Sorry if I sound a bit naive.

The first pic is the boat we are considering.
The second pic is how I would like it to look (in my dreams ).

[svHyLyte]

See Scraperite Plastic Razor Blades

Cheers

[courageous cat]

hello, 3M makes some go ones hope this helps
3M Automobile, marine et aérospatiale : Scotch-Brite™ Molding Adhesive and Stripe Removal Disc,07501, 4 in x 3/8 in, 5 per case

[cabo_sailor]

I've used Easy Off oven cleaner with some success in the past. Keep in mind though that no matter what you use there will be a ghost image of what was there before. Perhaps not a problem for the pin striping but the name will remain visible. To get rid of it you will need to wet sand with something around 500 grit and then buff it out with fiberglass polishing compound. I wouldn't worry if it looks too new and shiny, it will fade back to match the rest in a few weeks.

[hellosailor]

Easy Off is basically lye. It will soften fiberglass and discolor it, unless you are careful about getting it off prompty and then acid-washing (vinegar) and rinsing to counteract the alkali. Lye is a great classic paint and varnish remover--if it doesn't eat too much.

Any auto body shop supply should carry 3M and other brand name products. The vinyl can be removed by heating it (heat gun on low, or a very hot hair dryer) and/or using solvents (naptha and the like, or special adhesive removers that work a little faster and cleaner) to release the glue, which is similar to rubber cement.

The paint is a bit more difficult, there are special "rubber" grinding wheels from 3M and others that will erase pinstriping paint without hurting the gelcoat--but without knowing what paint was used, you may have to buff/compound/dissolve that if the wheels don't work.

[concept]

Thanks everyone,

Some really good tips here. I think I will try the easier methods first and pending results move on to the more advanced stuff. I guess this is half the "fun" of buying an older sailboat .

[Lancerbye]

Hellosailor's tip on the heat gun is a good one. I have used that method in the past with a razorblade scraper. Peeled the decal off slick as heck.

[sandy daugherty]

Second the 3M eraser wheel, and add a precaution: Acetone and MEK are common ingredients of non-marine stickum solvents. They will cause 'welts' to rise in the gel coat, which may or may not settle back down when the VOCs are completely gone. Use care, test first, be patient. If you want a darker strip in the same area, just make it wider to cover the shiney parts.

Best advice: Buff the heck out of the whole hull at one time.

[Daddy's Dream]

I used to work for Saint John's Honda in Portland Or. We used a hair dryer to remove pin stripes and bumper stickers from used cars and then WD-40 to remove the glue....... WD-40 desolves the glue so it wipes right off.

All you need is WD-40 and duct tape.