Decal removal

[darthXTi]

I want to remove the side decals on my '07 Ride XTi as they're hideous; in my opinion. The hull is black on the sides where the decals are attached, and the boat is almost three years old. My dealer said that they wouldn't recommend doing this as the gelcoat will be darker underneath the decals, and no amount of buffing would get the remainder of the hull to the same colour.

Does anyone have any experience with decal removal? If so, what were the results?

[justhrowit]

Personally, I think it can be done. It'll take a little bit a work. Wet sanding, wet sanding some more, and buffing life crazy. Of course, it really depends on just how faded it really is. It may not be perfect, but you can probably make it mostly unnoticeable.

J

Edited July 16, 2010 by justhrowit

[JDubya]

I want to remove the side decals on my '07 Ride XTi as they're hideous; in my opinion. The hull is black on the sides where the decals are attached, and the boat is almost three years old. My dealer said that they wouldn't recommend doing this as the gelcoat will be darker underneath the decals, and no amount of buffing would get the remainder of the hull to the same colour.

Does anyone have any experience with decal removal? If so, what were the results?

How diligant were you with your waxing...the better care you took of the hull the easier it will be to bring back the color. I would think it could be done fairly easily to where you wouldn't be ablt to notice.

Do a serach on the site for info on wetsanding. Plenty of info on here about sucess stories.

[68Slalom]

You can always try taking one off and worse case is you have to put one back on why didn't you take them off sooner? Or did you buy the boat used?

Edited July 16, 2010 by 68Slalom

[99response]

I would start with an edge and see how bad it is, there will be a color difference, but time heals all wounds, it will eventually fade to the same color. A little wetsanding and buffing (by a highly qualified person on Malibu black) should help blend it in.

-Chris

[rodman]

Easy off oven cleaner in the yellow can works perfect. It will remove the overlay first then the glue second take your time.

[seekinasylum]

My boat is an black 01. it had i guess the origanal graphics on it when bought it a few months ago. i pulled the graphics off and you could see where they were really bad. the boat was really faded. i wet sanded and buffed it and now u cant tell they were there. to get them off i used a hair dryer and turtle wax ice clay bar to get sticky stuff off worked great.

Edited July 17, 2010 by seekinasylum

[darthXTi]

I used a heat gun to remove the stickers and the hull looks perfect. I will post before and after pictures when I get them off my camera this weekend. I'm very, very happy with the results. Naked boats are sexy!

[REW]

I used a heat gun to remove the stickers and the hull looks perfect. I will post before and after pictures when I get them off my camera this weekend. I'm very, very happy with the results. Naked boats are sexy!

You been talking to shade?