Painted on Graphics removal?
 

Has any one had luck removing the painted on Graphics from a older Formula? My gel coat looks great but I woul like to remove the painted on graphics and then add something different.

Thanks

It can be done but would take alot of work to do. I removed all my graphics off of my 311 before I painted it. I Had four friends help me and it took us about 10 hours just to remove the graphics with DA's and 400 grit paper. If you didn't want to repaint the boat you would have to then go over the boat with 600, 1000, 1200 with buff out the boat.

My only concern would be that if you don't paint the entire boat the gel under the graphics might be a different shade (becasue it has not seen the sun)than the rest of the boat's gel giving you a shadow effect where the graphics use to be.... I don't know if that would ever come out.

hope this helps.
Don

I want to repaint different graphics on the boat and would cover most of the area. What about a paint remover that would not harm the gel coat ant ideas?

Acetone would work without hurting the gel. But, it's gonna take forever.

Oven cleaner works great just be easy with it that what I used

Finger nail polish would work too, but why not do it the right way, sand it down, prime it, guide coat it and paint it with speice hecker. my .02

You could save all the time/effort and just do vinyl...

I'll let you practice some of that chit this winter!

I know it sounds weird but I agree with BillFormula as Oven Cleaner will work? It is easier then you think. I used to own a detail shop a long time ago & would use it now & then. I would first tape around the grahic's good & then give it a try... You can always sand it if you do not like the results. Good luck with what ever you decide... Dennis

Im sure I will travis, Im sure I will.

Just want to come back as I was thinking more about this... If you get the paint off with the over cleaner, Clean it good after. To help bring your colors back you may have to wet sand it first which will help make the faded gel look better any way. Then you will have to use a rubbing compound with a good buffer with a cutting pad, longer rug looking coarse pad. You should wash it after you Compound it whith hot water. Then if all looks good go to a polishing pad or bonnit with a polihing glaze, 3M & Meguire's make some for the Gelcoat which work well. I am partical to the Meguire's Cleaner wax which I would then put one coat on with the buffer & then the old fashion way wax on wax off.... When you are done I think you will surprize your self. To get into the cracks good where the wax is hard to get out, Take an old tooth brush & brush it out wiping it as you go with a towel. Lets us know how it turns out.... I know I explained maybe more then needed but I was thinking that sometimes I assume that everyone knows most of this or whatever I am saying... Do not use cheap foam pads for the buffer & it should be a good buffer not one of those ones for waxing ($30-$50) more like a $100 - $150 buffer... Just my thought's & good luck with it, Dennis