Thread: Updating and Upgrading My Skeeter F-80 Strada

We all come across a time when we need to remove the old decals on our boats. This works on most things but be careful on how much you heat automotive paint when removing the decals. Also a quality adhesive remover is required. The photo is the best adhesive remover I have ever found.



To start out you need a heat gun on the low setting & a plastic razorblade scraper.



Starting out you just warm up one decal at a time. I like to work from left to right because I am left handed. Control of the scraper is key to a quick & easy job. Once you have warmed the decal up a bit test at a corner if it is ready to release. If not warm some more, if it is just push the plastic razorblade under the decal and remove it. The State decals was about 5-6 decals thick. In that case I warm the whole decal a bit then once one corner lifts I use a pair of pliers to hold the corner, pulling at a angle till the whole decal is removed.



Using the adhesive remover spray a lite coat on one decal glue residue spot at a time. Completely clean the spot before moving on. Once I get done I do a last wipe spraying the entire area with adhesive remover then wiping again.



To remove the outline left by weathering you have to polish the gelcoat enough to blend the colors together.



On a boat this oxidized I use a heavy machine compound with my rpm around 250 rpms a minute. To build up a little heat I push the pad down and do not use more speed. I have found color & shine will come back with the right pressure & speed faster than any other method I have tried. If really bad I will water sand by machine with 2000-3000 grid before polishing. Now your hull is ready for new numbers, don't forget to wax over the number after waiting a few days for the PSA to cure.