How do I remove old reg. numbers from my inflatable?

[daren23]

Hi all,
I bought a used Achilles hypalon inflatable that has registration numbers painted on the hull. The state (Ca.) issued me new CF numbers, which I need to put on the hull. How do I remove the old paint?
Thanks.

[SimonV]

I used acetone rub in a circular motion with a terry cloth and it comes right off.

[billyruffn]

You can also tape out a rectangle and using white paint, paint over the old numbers, then w/ a contrasting paint, do the new numbers. If you have an artistic touch, you could do a 'shadow' or some design around the white rectangle to make it look like that's the way you intended it to be all along. Make sure you use paints that are suited to the material your painting on.

That's what we did when I decided to replace the boat's name with the documentation number on the dinghy. The "patch" looks good and has held up well.

[chucklesR]

Originally Posted by SimonV

I used acetone rub in a circular motion with a terry cloth and it comes right off.

Simon,
doesn't the acetone degrade the oils in the fabic?

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

Simon,
doesn't the acetone degrade the oils in the fabic?

I dont know, I was patching leaks and was required to clean with acetone or MEK. Tried it on the numbers and they rubbed right off.

[sailingdog]

Chuckles-

Hypalon fabric shouldn't have oils in it...

Daren23-

Acetone, being a fairly agressive solvent can damage some plastics, but apparently isn't all that harmful to Hypalon. YMMV... test it carefully before proceeding though.