rich allen

Hi, I want to remove some old decals from my boat. I believe that using MEK will not harm the gelcoat, but am not totally sure. Is it ok to use? thanks.

SSComp

MEK with eat gel. Use a heat gun carefully the use "goof off" available at walmart, lowe's etc.

rich allen

Thanks for the info, dont wanna do that. I will look for the goof-off.

Rookie

iTrader: (4)

Hair dryer to remove decal. WD40 to remove the leftover glue.

Bill272

Acetone will also remove the glue without harming the gel. Watch out for paint though...

blownboat

I used the decal remover that they use in body shops that goes on a 90 or a drill. Just dont spin it to fast. Worked great.It is a round eraser.

open87

iTrader: (2)

yup, just call your locall body shop supplier and buy a stripe eraser, spin at a low rpm, faster will not help u.

dhlaw

A pressure washer will sometimes take decals off also, or a good spin at race speed!!!

The Menace

Heat gun is the trick. Lift one edge and peel back slowly at a 180 degree angle. You may get all or most of the adhesive up if you are careful and patient and save some elbow grease later. Using any type of solvent on your gel or paint could be very very bad for your finish.

Depending how long your decal has been on will also determine how much discoloration you will have from the rest of the gel or paint.

Good old soap and water with a good rough cloth also helps. The soap and water will temporarily kill the tack of the adhesive so it balls up and rolls off with elbow power. Not like wax on or wax off. Keep moving in the same direction. Not back and forth..