Cost of Sport Nautique Decals

Anybody have any experience with ordering new boat decals?

I just checked on the cost for new "Sport Nautique" lettering for the sides of our '93. Quoted me $97 per side. Seems kind of high! Is this typical?

Now I'm debating taking off the existing lettering that is curling up from the bottom and leaving it bare.

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

i agree yellowdog.it has been my experance when lettering or graphics are removed from metal,and i guess fiberglass,the sun has an effect on the lettering or whatever.the sun's effect will actualy exray those graphics into the finish.you can polish them out ,and the'll come back.i used to repaint tractors s.ie.kenworths,peterbuilts,ect.sanding the paint off down to bare metal was not good enough.prime & repaint,then park that truck outside and you could read the name of the old trucking co through the new finish.we had to wipe a thin coat of bondo over those old letters to make them go away.i would think you would be upset just trying to remove graphics on your boat and letting it go at that.      they'll be back !

i have paid dearly.no regrets at all.
and will pay more to complete the barracuda project.in fact,i'm shopping for my next project.me & polyhead will go to indy after the the weekend & check out a 68 mustang ss.
i'm still trying to get my trailer hitch on that 68 AL TYLL SKIER .
i just love these classics !

Where do you get the graphics? I'm looking for some to put on my 94 Ski Nautique.

KBarron,

Paint vs. decals: I do not know when CC switched from hand painted lettering to the decals. I would think the main reason for the switch was cost and time. It takes a special talent to hand paint the lettering as opposed to applying a decal.

As for durability, I can only address the painted style. Only problem I have encountered is that when some people (who, for my personal protection, shall remain nameless) tie the boat up to a dock are not very careful with protecting the sides of the hull. End result is a lot of scratches in the paint that require touch-up. Will the vinyl type decals used today do the same? I do not know.

As for getting the existing decals off, it depends on what they are made of. If they are vinyl, a heat gun or good hair dryer will soften them up enough to peal off. Some of the instructions tell you to use a liquid soap and water mixed to a gell that will loosen the vinyl. If they are real decals, try a auto paint store for a stripper that will remove the decal but not harm the gel coat.

Last thing, do NOT use a razor blade, I guarantee you will get a gouge in the gel coat.

79nautique wrote: Don, the vinyl decals scratch just like the paint. I put a nice line through my new AWSA sticker, At least it still looks good at a distance and I only caught the one.

YIKES! AT least Dennis has more of them! Given the company that the '78 keeps, I picked up two complete sets last spring!

I did not mean to infer that the decals would not scratch, just that from my experience it is easier to replace a decal than to touch up the paint. Like I have said before, I am an engineer, not a painter. My painting is so bad that the wife will not let me paint a white wall in the house.