The decals on my Tracker are real beat up from docking and scraping stickups, etc. They are starting to look horrible and I think its past time to remove them. I tried to search for this but couldn't find anything. Any tips or suggestions?
The decals on my Tracker are real beat up from docking and scraping stickups, etc. They are starting to look horrible and I think its past time to remove them. I tried to search for this but couldn't find anything. Any tips or suggestions?
Heat usually helps soften the glue. Try a paint remover or hair dryer
Enjoying life in Southern Illinois
I borrowed a heat gun from work and bought a plastic scraper today. Gonna give that a try. Thanks for the response!
Heat usually helps a lot. For the adhesive residue left behind you can often remove it with WD-40.
Thanks, I'll give that a try. I tried the orange scented Goo Gone and it didn't do much of anything. I couldn't find my can of WD-40 but when I do I'll try that. The heat gun is definitely the key to get the decal off but it sure is slow going as it runs the length of the whole boat.
When I removed the old decals from my outboard I tried everything. A heat gun and plastic scraper worked good getting decals off. Then rubbing compound worked the best to get everything else off. I then used the rubbing compound to clean the hull followed by a couple coats of wax.
for removing decals and stickers I use Ronsonol Lighter Fluidworks good .. put some on a cloth ! dont light the surface on fire!
I removed the ones from my Tracker back in the Spring. The first side I used a pressure waher and it took me probably 8 hrs ot more. The second side I got some adhesive stripper from lowes and it took about 15 min for the whole side. It was located near the paint stripper in the store. Dont get it on your hands.
Thanks snizzle! I'll check that out. I've tried everything that has been suggested here and so far it's turning out to be a project that will take more hours than I can count.
There is a product called Tal Strip that I can guarantee you will take off anything you want taken off. However, it will also take off any paint or other coating it comes in contact with. It is a paint stripper made primarily for removing paint from aluminum airplane parts. It is a concoction of several different kinds of solvents and will remove paint in a hurry but doesn't harm the metal. I'm pretty confident it would release those decals and the old adhesive but be warned is is caustic stuff. You need heavy duty rubber gloves, safety glasses, and preferably a Tyvek suit on when you work with it. You don't want it on your skin as it will burn, don't ask me how I know. You can find it at auto parts stores such as Advanced Auto. It comes in a spray can or a bulk liquid form. It might be an option but if you are going to spray it make sure you cover anything you don't want it in contact with. I would hate to see what it might do to a screen on a fish finder or a plexi-glass windshield on a console.
Been there. I removed the decals from my old Lund prior to a new paint job. Worst job ever. Tried all kinds of solvents but those decals are not meant to be removed. Finally, used a sander since I was re-painting. A friend painted it with automotive paint and a coat of clear. It was prettier than new when done. Another buddie did new decals in his print shop. Way, way cheaper than buying factory replacements. I sold it. But 4 yrs ago and it still looks great. New owner and I fish the same lakes.
Just an update on this. I found an orange scented adhesive remover at Home Depot that you apply and let set up for about 30 minutes and it worked better than all the other chemicals I tried. A little patience and a little elbow grease
On another note, I got real lucky when I pulled the sticker off the other side. For some reason, the back 2/3 of the sticker, (where it is at its widest) came right off and left no adhesive. I'm not exactly sure why, but I'm thinking that since it was a good bit warmer out that day, the hull retained the heat from the heat gun for a longer period of time thus keeping the adhesive soft longer. Either way, I was dreading starting on that other side after spending several hours on the first side so that was a pleasant surprise to say the least.
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