Removing Old Registration Numbers

[cyc boater]

I took delivery of my 210 Sundeck today! It has North Carolina registration numbers that need to be removed and the new South Carolina numbers applied. Any thoughts on a good way to remove the old vinyl numbers and NC registration tag?

 

[wetpaint]

I like heat and then clean any residue with goof off

 

[katricol]

easy off oven cleaner for the residue...if no luck 2000 grit wet or dry sandpaper

 

[rondds]

Hair dryer, then wd-40 for the glue if any remains.

 

[Jim M]

I agree with "goof off". It really works.

 

[jason78]

Probably wouldn't hurt to get a buffer and some good compound to go over it after you remove the letters- otherwise you may see the ghost image of the old letters in direct light. If compound does not work give wet sanding a try.

 

[trit21]

How about adhesive remover. Own a sign company and adhesive remover is what we use, not Easy Off, not WD40 not buffing or sand paper. Goof off is an adhesive remover and does work, just not industrial strength. Let it sit awhile and it will remove the adhesive. Obviously I get mine from a distributor so not sure where to get it from otherwise, but they do sell it, adhesive remover.

 

[Dave S]

I have personally removed decals from Gel Coat with a heat gun followed by an orange based cleaner like Goo Gone to remove any remaining adhesive.

Dave

 

[Liquid Pleasure II]

I have the Gas / Fuel Warning sticker that is located by my dual tank caps. It is peeling badly and exposing some adhesive below that now has dirt stuck to it to make a nice brown/black grime where the sticker peeled.

As you guys know this sticker is A LOT thicker than most reg. decals, etc.

Do you think the heat gun / hair dryer will work to remove this as well?? I cannot stand the way it looks.

Thanks

 

[Luckydogs]

Hair dryer, then wd-40 for the glue if any remains.

ditto; quick and easy

 

[185Sport]

Easy Off Warning. I am in the sign business as well and know a lady who lost most of her fingernails and suffered severe chemical burns from trying to use easy off on a large removal. The right tool for the job applies to solvents as well.

 

[cyc boater]

WOW! Thanks for all the replies. I"ll try to hair dryer method tomorrow with either the Goo off or WD-40. I was able to use the old finger nail method to start peeling one of the numbers off so hopefully this isn't going to be an all day project, famous last words!
Again thanks for the advice.

 

[rondds]

WD is great b/c everyone usually has a can laying around whereas Goof off you'd have to go out and buy. Orange solvents are basically kerosene.

I remove the stupid NJ Reg. sticker every year rather than stack one on top of the other. After removal, I use a cleaner wax and put the new one on. Makes for easier removal the following year. Don't wax under your new reg numbers b/c you're not planning on removing them any time soon, but it's probably a good idea to compound the area as was mentioned above.

 

[VolNavy37922]

We've told him how to remove - now whats the best way to put the new ones on?

 

[mwph]

Pretty straight forward. Clean dry surface, small pencil mark for starting point, remembering youve got one chance to line it up! What ever method you use to apply new ones make sure you follow state guide lines. Loaction, size, contrast & even font are all mandated.

Last year a guy on my dock (the guy who knows everything) got creative & ended up removing his new stickers, buyig another set & reapplying.

 

[Lazy Daze]

We've told him how to remove - now whats the best way to put the new ones on?

Use a piece of masking tape for your guide. Use it as a straight edge and set the numbers above the line. If you really want to get it right, use a little piece of tape on each number for a "dry run".

 

[HUMPH]

easy off oven cleaner for the residue...if no luck 2000 grit wet or dry sandpaper

Oven cleaner on your gel coat? That seems a bit excessive. Wouldn't that etch the gel coat?

 

[Dave S]

To prevent problems positioning the decal properly and smoothing it out, use a spray water bottle to first wet the area where you are mounting the decals. That will allow you to move the decal around, flatten it out, and position it properly. Then you can smooth it out with a squeege (similar to the one below). That will insure that all the water and any trapped air gets displaced.

 

[rondds]

Dave, can't be certain he's using a custom set of numbers. Cold be the individial stickers that you buy at West Marine. I think the custom ones look a lot better and are worth the extra coin.

 

[carterchapman]

+1 Ron. Custom numbers are not that expensive and look a lot better. I got mine here for both the boat and waverunner. Good site, with instructions, and good service:

http://www.signspecialist.com/lettering/boatnumbers.html