Removing Name off Fiberglass Boat

[Nomad]

Need to take the name off the fiberglass boat I just bought. Let me know how ya did it if you ever had to. Thanks in advance.

Nomad

[rabbit whacker]

I like Goo Gone. Never tried it on anything like that though.

[jpollman]

Nomad,
is it painted or a vinyl decal ?

My dad removed the painted name off of his glass boat this past spring. I think he got a chemical paint remover from West Marine and it worked pretty well. He then followed it up by using a good quality rubbing compound and it was gone.

[FishTales]

If it's a vinyl decal you might try using a heat gun or hair dryer, I used a hair dryer to remove all the decals, and plastic chrome doo-dads off my truck. The heat will soften the glue just enough to remove the decals.

[Nomad]

Should of clarified, it is paint. I might give one of the marine stores a try and see if they can recommend a paint remover like jpollman mentioned.

Will welcome any other suggestions.

Nomad

[jpollman]

Nomad,

I'll be talking to my dad tomorrow. I'll find out what he used and let you know.

[Jason Adam]

I cant suggest what to take it off with, but you may want to read the following:

http://www.boatus.com/goodoldboat/naming.htm

Marine lore says improperly renaming a boat is a recipe for disaster

You may want to consult SalmonBum from this site, as I have heard him advise on occasion, "...two things a man never does, rename his boat, and wear underwear...". :confused: :eek: :cool:

[Gone Fishing]

I've used Easy Off oven cleaner in the past with good results. I would always do a small test spot first no matter what your using.

[Getaway]

LOL Jason!:D :D

[Nomad]

Thanks for the advice Jason. If you think I am going to be the owner of boat named "Misty Too", you don't know me very well. No offense to any of you guys who have "Misty" in any of its forms on your boat. I'm sure it looks good on your boat.

Jason, since you seem to know about these things, if I just take the name off and don't re-name it, will my luck still be bad?

John, did you find out what your dad used on his boat?

Thanks for the entertaining advice.

Nomad

[Nomad]

Since we are talking about it, here it is. 1993 Baha Cruiser, 25 footer with only has 150hrs on it. Too bad I bought it just in time to store it.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/3881DCP_0005_2_.JPG

[jpollman]

Nomad,

Sorry but I only saw him briefly and forgot to ask.... I'll be seeing him again this weekend and I'll try to remember to ask.

[TimT]

The superstition, as I remember it, states that you have to get rid of all signs of the previous name. If there's any carvings or decals or furniture or any other knick-knack type item with the old boats name, it must be completely removed. If there is faded paint, where the name still reads through, you would be in violation of the superstition. Superstition also states that whistling while on the water will cause the wind to kick up. While I do often get out fishing before I get a chance to brush my chompers, I highly doubt that I've ever managed to kick up the waves while whistling tunes like "The Edmond Fitzgerald". Nice looking boat. Have fun out there.

[Jason Adam]

I woulnt personally stay up late worrying about the renaming. I just found it entertaining. Everything I have read though says most important is to destroy anything on-board(paperwork, anything) that has the old name on it.

I too, have heard that oven cleaner does a good job of removing painted on boat names. (Obvistly test on small area first). I have used "3M fiberglass restore and wax"(I think??) with really good results this year on my boat where I had scrathes and stains on the clear coat. It would probably polish the transom up good after you remove the name. Remember, if you buy your cleaning products at West Marine and they don't do what you want, they'll return them. Not hyping West Marine, but that is a great policy.

Nice boat by the way. Where will you be fishing it???

[jpollman]

Nomad,

I talked to my dad yesterday and found out that he did use a chemical paint remover. He got it at West Marine. He said it worked very well. But he just had one caution. He said to make sure that the label states "SAFE for gel-coat". He had to apply it a couple of times to get all of the paint off but the second application did the trick. He then just used a little light rubbing compound to remove the residue and it was all done.

Good luck !

[Nomad]

Thanks all for the info. Think I'll stop at one of the Marine shops and get set up with some chemicals.

I have always gone out of Port Sheldon and then Grand Haven for the fall run. Launched for the 1st time this past Sat out of PS and did ok but the docks are short and the ramps steep for this boat. Got it in/out OK but I bet it would be a little easier out of the GH ramps or may try Holland.

Got the whole winter to figure it out. I will have a lot of questions for you guys as I have never had a fiberglass boat and will need to rig it with rod holders/riggers this winter. Scary thinking about drilling holes in it but gotta be done.

Thanks again

Nomad

[TimT]

What in the world????? A 10 year old boat like that with only 150 hrs and no previous rigging for fishing?????


NICE!

[Jason Adam]

Nomad, if you have questions on rigging, me and my crew can probably help answer. We rigged 4 boats from the ground up this spring(Riggers, Rod Holders, Track Systems,Radar Arches, Fishfinders, GPS, Autopilots, lighting, etc....). I was just discussing last night with one of them putting together a "Boat Rigging" web page for informational purposes(We'll see what time allows). Best tips for drilling and mounting on your fiberglass:

- Use all Bolt\Nuts(nylok)(all stainless of course). Screws have a higher tendancy to cause cracking down the road, plus, if you snap a screw head, you gotta get the rest out of your glass somehow. With nuts/bolts, you can add some big washers behind whatever youre mounting.

- Back EVERYTHING. Re-enforce everything that will have any torque applied to it(rod holders, tracks, riggers...) with atleast 3/4" marine plywood on the backside if possible.

- Countersink your holes - After you drill your holes, use a countersink bit on the hole. This will prevent spider cracking. Some guys drill in reverse prior to drilling the hole. This prevents chipping the gelcoat. I usually only reverse drill on big holes.

- Seal any holes that expose raw wood(most commonly in transom). This is probably the #1 boat killer out there. Once water seeps into a cored transom, you'll have serious problems in short order.

- Be careful with all your "other tools" and bolts and sharp objects laying around the boat or your deck and gunnels will be full of gouges and scratches.

I'm sure others will add some suggestions. These are what I remember from last years rigging. Fear not drilling into your boat. Thats half the fun. As long as you screw-up is above the waterline, theres an easy way to fix it:D . Really though, just plan, plan, plan, review, review, review, ROTOZIP.......:eek: