Advice on Removing Registration Numbers

Sooner or later the old registration numbers have to be removed, and the new ones installed on a new (to me) 94SN. Definitely not a job I am going to enjoy. The existing letters/numbers are white, presumably vinyl adhesive, and are stuck on quite well. Can I use a heat gun or hair dryer to help them come off and without damaging the paint/gel coat underneath them? Maybe a putty knife to get them off once the adhesive is loose? Does any one with experience doing this have any other suggestions for doing it in an efficient and clean manner? Thanks for the help.

A putty knife or razor is likely to damage the gel. A heat gun or hair dryer, if used judiciously, is fine. There are also eraser wheels (drill attachments) that are sold at autoparts stores that make quick work of old decals... but again, be judicious in its use so as not to burn the gel.

Follow up with an adhesive remover like goo gone.

Plus 2 on 3M Eraser Wheel

I just removed all the decals on my boat before buffing it out. I used a heat gun and a plastic scraper/putty knife and thought this combination worked wonderfully. I'll never use anything else. Once you hit it with the heat gun, the glue and vinyl soften considerably. Gel coat can tolerate quite a bit of heat. Unless you hold it in one spot for minutes on end, you'll have no problem. Use lacquer thinner to clean up what's left of the glue residue.

The only issue you might run in to is that the gel under the decals may look deeper colored if the rest of your gel is oxidized at all. If you're matching the decals exactly, this won't be a problem though.

Good luck,
Cooper

Blow torch and 5 gallons of gas

or

What they said

75 Tique wrote: quinner wrote: Blow torch and 5 gallons of gas Quinner helped me do this with my boat a few years ago. Turned out great.

Larry!!!!

Best post ever, laughing my a$$ off.

Pete, what's the real story on CQ,s boat