Replacing license number from the hull

[sailingdog]

Don't use EZ-off if the hull is painted... it will not be good for the paint. If the letters are vinyl, then a plastic "razor" blade is what you really want.

[hellosailor]

EasyOff is LYE which will remove almost anything. And then yellow the gelcoat forever, and soften it, unless it is promptly washed off and neutralized with an acid wash like vinegar.

According to the nice folks at 3M, and the folks at Gerber, two of the leading suppliers of premium grade vinyls for exterior signage, neither razor blades nor lye should ever be used. Not ever.

The adhesive on the vinyl is similar to rubber cement, and rubber cement thinner (naphtha) will soften it up--once you get it under the edge of the vinyl. Other solvents will also work, many other solvents, but your best bet is "vinyl decal and adhesive remover" which is a blend designed to penetrate the vinyl, lift the adhesive, and not eat anything else. About $5 for a pint from auto body suppliers, even for a brand name.

They also use heat guns to soften the vinyl and glue, softening old vinyl allows it to peel instead of flaking off in little chips. Either way works. And the last resort are 3M's 'vinyl eraser wheels" which are a rubbery gentle abrasive wheel that you put in a drill (or grinder) that literally will grind off vinyl without harming the paint or gelcoat beneath it. Nifty tool! A bit more expensive, harder to find, and needs the right "touch" on the drill.

But razor blades? Never, the chance of a corner digging in and scratching is always there. Lye? Why use caustics when there's no need for them? You can get away with both, but the folks who make all these materials, generally are right about how to best use (and remove) them.

[sailingdog]

HS-

A company came out with plastic "razor" blades last year, which are perfect for removing vinyl lettering/artwork from the fiberglass.

[BreakingWind2]

After you get the numbers off, replace them with a vinyl decal that you can have made at any auto trim store.
Easy to adhere and if you decide to change it down the road, it is easy to remove.
Had the boat name created and produced for less than $75.00

Dave

[Skipaway]

I got my registration numbers from this ebay seller: eBay Motors: Boat lettering. Boat Letters. Boat Registration.Numbers (item 120279160288 end time Jul-12-08 08:23:18 PDT)
For $13 you get two strips of the registration sequence (3M vinyl) spaced appropriately, and an instruction sheet; mine arrived in 2 days. I see he now has a link to a youtube instructional video.