Does anyone have any tips or product recommendations for removing painted on registration numbers without hurting the gel coat?

easy off oven cleaner

Easy-off works great on enamal paint that is mostly for vehicle lettering, not sure how it will affect gelcoat. You may want to buy the squirt bottle (non-arosol) so you can brush it only on top of the numbers.

Any of the paint guys on here have any experience?

No, but I know its safe for gelcoat. Alot of guys use it to remove bottom paint.

As Boatnut said, easy off.
Painters enamel usually is not the toughest to remove.

listen to me now hear me later,,,,LOL

Breakaway spray - let it soak in. Sounds foolish but it took dry d.o.t. Line spray off my hull.

Sounds good guys. As always, I appreciate the help. I will give easy off a whirl and let you know how it goes.

The boat name was painted on my old libertor. I buffed it off with compound and a wool pad. No problem.

The easy off worked great. A little word of advice for anyone about to do the same thing. Cover your trailer with a rag towel in case any drips (it will remove paint there too.....) and DON'T get any of the easy off on your skin or you will pay for it. Then of course the only problem is that under the painted numbers the gel coat hasn't seen the light of day since they were painted in 1997 lol......