Finally going to Christen her.

LVChris · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 12:50 pm

I finally ordered my boat name decal

http://www.vinyldisorder.com

and now plan on Christening Altiva this weekend.

I know I should've done it long ago, (see this thread http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10256)but many other things got in the way.

I figured I had too after restoring an old garden prop to somewhat match our vessel

just to make our family picture

so now the Question?

What's the best way to remove the old decal;

And what is the absolute guide to Christening her? I don't believe she had a name before, so this should be considered her maiden voyage as Altiva. I know the champagne and heard about some green leaves (that's goning to be hard in the desert) but anything else I should know?

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 1:19 pm

what i did was i got the spray bottle GOOGONE soaked the area and let it sit.. then i got a fresh exacto blade the 1/4" small blade.. and if you hold the knife in (in the handle of corse) almost flat the blade is so scalpel sharp i got under the FW decal and once i got it started.. with on hand i pull and slowly work the exacto to loosen the adhesive.. now there will be resedu so use goo gone and a micro fiber... DO NOT USE PAPER TOWELS.. paper towels are for spills not paint or gel coat. paper towel is like sand paper NO NO.. get all the goo off.. ok now there is discoloration form age.. use a restore compound and do the entire back strip by the platform, them add your top coat wax.. make sure you wipe all the wax off good.. then you should be good to go to align and center your new decal and stick it on..

tip on the decal if you have not done many before.. use painters blue tape to position and peal just one corner and use a credit card to remove bubbles as you go slowly pull a little more backer off as you squeegee out the bubbles.. and you should have a bubble free and ripple free decal..

LVChris · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 2:42 pm

Glad I asked, I was going to use Goof-Off, which seems like a bad idea....Goo Gone seems safe for the gel.

Thanks!

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 3:43 pm

Goo gone is my ho too goo remover along with mineral spirits. Both are gel coat safe. But you need to re wax any time any solvent is used as it damages the wax area. Now I said compound, this is to remove the stained gel coat. Then a fresh protective wax is laid and your protected.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 5:31 pm

I have good luck with a heat gun (used carefully). Within seconds it softens up the hardened vinyl like new and then they peel right off.

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 6:53 pm

I'm with 230 Mike,,,heat gun. I've done lots of boats for a buddy who owns a graphics outfit. A hair dryer works great too. Afterwards clean with mineral spirits and then a light buff with fine compound and wash well with water. My marine store sells plastic razor blades. These are PERFECT for any scraping you need to do.

If you need any tips on applying the new name, just ask away.

John :mrgreen:

neutron · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 7:08 pm

Heat gun or hair dryer for me as well

LVChris · **Posted:** Sat May 18, 2013 2:37 am

Just to update, the Goo Gone worked..but just barely....I just spent a good 2 1/2 hours getting the registration numbers off the sides and the FOUR WINNS off the back...in the dark with a spotlight on my head.

Had to use a razor for much of it, but it made the job so much faster and I guess I am pretty handy with it, never put a nic in the gel.

I do have one sticker that left quite a bit of residue that still isn't all off, the dealership that sold the boat originally slapped their name on the back under the four winns...nasty sticker....I'll get the rest in the AM.

I will buff and wax in the morning then put the new stickers on. Then post some pics.

jvthundercat · **Posted:** Sat May 18, 2013 7:45 am

I got tired of the goo-gone and the heat gun, so I bought a 2700psi gas pressure washer. Took everything off very quickly. In less than an hour on each side of our 38 footer we took off a 1" and a 2" stripe. The registration letters did not last more than a minute.
Afterwards, we took and did a spray of goo-gone, let is sit 10 minutes and a quick wipe down and it was clean. Of course this is just the starting point of all the buffing, but a lot better than what we went through with the 261 Libby.

LVChris · **Posted:** Mon May 20, 2013 1:18 pm

Well, it's done. Not completely happy with how well I put the stickers on, but it'll do. The pics look good, but I got a lot of bubbles...even doing my super secret sticker trick (wetting the whole area down).

even stamped our tow and support vehicles...

new legible registration numbers

Must have excited everyone, someone even flew in for the event! (JK but that's the first time I have seen an airplane ON lake mead)

It was a great day and looking forward to memorial day weekend with her and the family.

www.iFourWinns.com

Finally going to Christen her.

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