Removing Decals

rchamberlin · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2013 10:28 am

The sport graphics on my boat are peeling away and generally look like crap. I don't particularly like them much anyway, but if I take them completely off am I going to have a difference in color from where the graphics used to be? Would there be any way to polish it to make it even? Or am I stuck with the ugly graphics that are peeling away?

Jdpber · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2013 10:37 am

It all depends on the amount the exposed gel coat has faded. With a good cut compound you "should be able to make it even. Keep in mind I said should. If I was near I could show you how to do it perfect but. It's a by touch and feel thing. And knowing when your cutting too much away. Last you want is to burn thru the green to expose white. But don't be scared I'd remove if it was mine

230 Mike · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2013 10:43 am

The amount of contrast will depend a lot on how the hull has been maintained over the years. Even best case, there will probably be some, but the best way to even it out is with time probably. If the graphics are coming apart, I'd rip 'em like a band aid and let the healing begin.

Toddely · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2013 10:58 am

I agree, get them off the boat and rub it out the best you can with a good compound. Heck, 20 mph on the water cruzin sippin a brewskie you wont even think about it .. Have a great summer..

rchamberlin · **Posted:** Sat May 24, 2014 5:28 pm

230 Mike wrote:

If the graphics are coming apart, I'd rip 'em like a band aid and let the healing begin.

The healing has begun... She's not in danger of winning any beauty contests anyway, but they got worse over the last year so it was definitely time.

Before:

After removal but before cleanup:

It's not *terribly* off but you can definitely tell. I'm interested to see how far off it is once I get the compound on there. I might do a little sanding too.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat May 24, 2014 8:07 pm

If you can carefully wet sand and then buff it out and wax it may be less noticable. It really depends on how oxidized the part of the blue area is that was not covered with the graphics. The less oxidized it is, the better it will look. If it does not come out the way you want, consider getting that area painted in Imron, it will look great and never fade like gelcoat.
Personally I HATE stick on graphics, the never look good over time. I like what Formula does, they use Imron for anything that is colored on the hull, including graphics. Expensive yes but does not look like crap in a few years.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:09 am

I have the same color scheme and my graphics have the same issue. I am thinking about removing mine and replacing them with a new set. Have you priced out a set of replacements?

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:02 pm

BEFORE
.
.

AFTER:

I had oxidation on my blue gelcoat at the stern. Sides were not bad. Previous owner must have parked with the aft end exposed to the sun.

I polished a week ago with AquaBuff 1000 and AquaBuff 2000 on 7" wool pad, followed by wax. Polished right over the vinyl decals, but made sure I kept very light pressure over the decals to not burn them or cut through color.

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

GottWhat wrote:

I have the same color scheme and my graphics have the same issue. I am thinking about removing mine and replacing them with a new set. Have you priced out a set of replacements?

You can try http://greatlakesskipper.com/
They have a bunch of OEM parts and decals. It is very difficult to find an exact match. A dealer and I were trying to find an exact match for my previous Glastron which was only 2 years old and it was very difficult since the model had already changed.
You may be able to find something close...

GottWhat · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:19 pm

rpengr wrote:

I had oxidation on my blue gelcoat at the stern. Sides were not bad. Previous owner must have parked with the aft end exposed to the sun.

I polished a week ago with AquaBuff 1000 and AquaBuff 2000 on 7" wool pad, followed by wax. Polished right over the vinyl decals, but made sure I kept very light pressure over the decals to not burn them or cut through color.

Great job, looks like new

GottWhat · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:28 pm

babbot1 wrote:

GottWhat wrote:

I have the same color scheme and my graphics have the same issue. I am thinking about removing mine and replacing them with a new set. Have you priced out a set of replacements?

You can try http://greatlakesskipper.com/
They have a bunch of OEM parts and decals. It is very difficult to find an exact match. A dealer and I were trying to find an exact match for my previous Glastron which was only 2 years old and it was very difficult since the model had already changed.
You may be able to find something close...

Thanks, will check them out.

I did find this at Four Winns: 055-2173 GRAPHIC, SILVER SMALL BLOCK 5367-011477

Indicates "available". There is no photo of the silver but here is the gunmetal graphic:

However, there is no pricing.

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

Either place is not going to cheap. Those are large decals.

You might also talk to an place to put the decal on for you like a fiberglass repair shop. My dealer told me some of them are tricky. And I don't think you get a second try.

rchamberlin · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:53 am

GottWhat wrote:

I have the same color scheme and my graphics have the same issue. I am thinking about removing mine and replacing them with a new set. Have you priced out a set of replacements?

I decided to leave them off so I haven't checked in to replacement cost. It makes the boat look so much more modern without them.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:04 pm

babbot1 wrote:

Either place is not going to cheap. Those are large decals.

You might also talk to an place to put the decal on for you like a fiberglass repair shop. My dealer told me some of them are tricky. And I don't think you get a second try.

Good point, I would not want to install them myself.

rchamberlin wrote:

GottWhat wrote:

I have the same color scheme and my graphics have the same issue. I am thinking about removing mine and replacing them with a new set. Have you priced out a set of replacements?

I decided to leave them off so I haven't checked in to replacement cost. It makes the boat look so much more modern without them.

You are right, looks really nice. Can you post some fancy photos when you get a chance to show off how good it looks?

rchamberlin · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:51 am

GottWhat wrote:

babbot1 wrote:

Either place is not going to cheap. Those are large decals.

You might also talk to an place to put the decal on for you like a fiberglass repair shop. My dealer told me some of them are tricky. And I don't think you get a second try.

Good point, I would not want to install them myself.

rchamberlin wrote:

GottWhat wrote:

I have the same color scheme and my graphics have the same issue. I am thinking about removing mine and replacing them with a new set. Have you priced out a set of replacements?

I decided to leave them off so I haven't checked in to replacement cost. It makes the boat look so much more modern without them.

You are right, looks really nice. Can you post some fancy photos when you get a chance to show off how good it looks?

Sure thing. I'm hoping to get the cleanup done this weekend. I haven't even seen my boat since that weekend when I took them off. Two young kids means it's birthday party season so not much time right now.

www.iFourWinns.com

Removing Decals

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