Removing old Registration

[clanderman]

I had posted this in another location, but was directed to this section instead.

I have a problem with my boat. It appears that the previous owner had his registration numbers custom painted onto the boat to match the paint scheme, instead of using stickers. Is there a way to get the paint off without affecting the gel coat? I do not really want to resort to sanding it off or anything like that, but I am scared of using any chemicals as well. It just seems like a normal paint, and is not coated or anything like that.

The location of the paint is right on top of the champion stripe on the side of the boat, so the chemical would touch all colors if this changes anything. (i.e. if certain colors are affected more then just the white hull)

Any information / experience would be greatly appreciated

[ProcraftMike]

Acetone seems to remove aftermarket paints, but I have used it on my boat and it doesn't seem to affect the gelcoat. I'm not sure how it would react to vinyl decals though, so be careful if you are working around them. Try a little acetone in the center of one of the numbers to see if the rag starts turning the color of the lettering (that means it will remove it). Depending upon what was used for paint, it may take it off.

[PBR]

Purple stuff should take it off I bough a bobcat from a rental co. and got there painted numbers off with it. Just don"t let it dry rinse it off Then buff and wax area

[Stroker Ace]

I used Denatured Alcohol to get the old stickers glue off of my boat. I used it because a pro bowler told me to use that on my bowling ball to clean it because it does not damage the pours of the ball. The boat is the same thing in a way. It should take the paint off without a problem. I bought it at Lowes in the paint department.