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  1. #1
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    How does one remove paint without affecting gelcoat?

    The previous owner painted their registration numbers on the hull. I have no idea what kind or type of paint (possibly looks acrylic) they used. I need a way to remove the paint without damaging the gel coat. Does anyone have any ideas?

  2. Member crank68's Avatar
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    #2
    I have a tool in my shop that’ll get it off but in most cases Easy Off oven cleaner works. You can also sand em off.
    Last edited by crank68; 03-25-2019 at 06:38 PM. Reason: uneducated
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  3. Member
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    #3
    I've wet-sanded painted numbers off before with excellent results. I used 800 grit to remove the paint, then followed with 1000, 1500, and 2000. Followed it up with a high speed buffer and polish, then waxed. Like they were never there.

  4. Member paulrodbender's Avatar
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    #4
    I would try a rag with lacquer thinner.

  5. Member BOW4UM's Avatar
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    #5
    WD-40 and lighter fluid.
    2008 ChampioN 198 / 225 Opti ProXS! 1999 187 DC Elite / Merc 175 efi & 1989 184 DCR /Merc 175 xri

  6. Member
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    #6
    WD-40 and lighter fluid was a bust. Used Easy Off oven cleaner and a micro fiber towel on an orbital sander and it came off fairly easily. Then wet sanded with 800, 1000, 1500, and then 2000 grit. Used a 3500 grit polishing compound on a buffer, then followed that with some 31 Marine wax/gel coat cleaner. Finalized it with Lucas Spray speed wax. Came out great. Thanks for all the input.20190326_143805.jpg

  7. Member Bassnailer's Avatar
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    #7
    Glad you got it off. Next time, or for those who want an easier solution, a product called Citristrip will quickly and easily remove acrylic paint without harming the gel coat or anything else. I recently used it to remove some goofy racing stripes someone had previous tried painting on my boat and it worked great. I applied it, waited about 30 minutes, then literally just wiped off the paint.

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  8. Member
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    #8
    I used acetone as recommended by the boat dealer i called..... it worked great and came off easily.

  9. Member CastingCall's Avatar
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    #9
    Quote Originally Posted by BCastillo View Post
    I used acetone as recommended by the boat dealer i called..... it worked great and came off easily.
    This. I used to pinstripe and letter vehicles using 1Shot oil-based enamels - pretty standard paint for pinstripers. On a stable substrate like fiberglass gelcoat, soaking a rag and placing it on the lettering will typically soften the paint and allow it to be easily wiped off.