Removing Vinyl Boat Numbers

[Arimadrifter]

I bought my 1991 Arima in Washington last August and sent the required paperwork and check to get my Oregon registration, numbers and tags. Well after 3 months, they arrived yesterday. I need to remove the old vinyl numbers and tags off the boat so I can put the new ones on. I've don't this several times on aluminum and wood boats, but never on a fiberglass boat.
I'm looking for suggestions on getting them off without damaging and scratching the hull.
All help is much appreciated!

Greg

[gar143]

Electric hairdryer. Warm them up and they will probably peel right off.

[La-Z-Buoy]

Electric hairdryer. Warm them up and they will probably peel right off.

Heat gun will work too but you have to be more careful. Hairdryer - piece of cake. A little alcohol or acetone for any residual glue. No razor blades or scraping needed.

[Arimadrifter]

Thanks Guys.

[Markshoreline]

I've removed lots of them by docking on a windy day.   

[AJFishin]

If you have or can borrow a clothes steamer, you will find it to be the easiest way to remove vinyl stickers.

http://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=14464.0

[Arimadrifter]

Couldn't believe how easy the 26 year old stickers came off with the hairdryer. Thanks everyone!

[Peddler]

Couldn't believe how easy the 26 year old stickers came off with the hairdryer. Thanks everyone!

They must have used quality vinyl and the boat hasn't spent a lot of time in the sun. Usually at that old, they're dry and cracked, and come off in little pieces.


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[Arimadrifter]

Exactly. I've taken them off other boats before and it was always difficult. These ones came off whole . The annual tags were a bit more difficult, but not too bad.

[Arimadrifter]

Worked like a champ. Removed old stickers and tags with the help of a hairdryer. Then used Acetone to remove residual glue. Then wiped the area down with Windex.
Hardest part was getting the numbers to line up straight. Port side looks good, Starboard side looks like I had one too many beers. I'll be buying a few extra numbers to get the Starboard side ship-shape.
Thanks everyone for the advise.

Greg

[Old No7]

I've removed lots of them by docking on a windy day.   

Late comment, but...

LOL!!! That's another way to do it!!!

I've seen some boaters take off railings, side decks and windshields too...

Even heard one guy muttering something about "The damn brakes..." as he came ROARING into the dock...    Somehow he thought going faster than the wind would be a good thing...

Old No7