Removing decals

[Crappiebasser]

I have a 17' aluminum boat I am turning into a duck boat. I want to paint it camo but it has a vinyl sticker sticker and stripes bow to stern that need to come off. I have tried a heat gun and scraper which works but it's very slow going. Does anyone have any suggestions for a stripper to dissolve them?

[S. Sass]

I have used a heatgun and slowly peeled for hours and it was a PITA. Just googling maybe you need a Whizzy Wheel. 

http://decalstickerremover.com/

[davecon]

Can't remember the name of the stuff but most auto parts stores sell a product to remove decals and bumper stickers. Not terribly expensive. Might work.

[Ski213]

Just my personal experience but I think it's just a slow process. I used a little heat and a plastic scraper on my glass boat.  Too much heat and it made it worse. Too little and it just wouldn't come off. I scraped the stickers and then used goo gone it think to remove residue.  It was brutal but in the end it turned out well.

It probably depends a lot on the adhesive used and how well the surface was prepped. Chemicals may work like a charm. Just have to have the right chemical for the particular adhesive.  

In my experience any removal, be it commercial flooring or decals, is a combination of mechanical removal (scraper, grinder, etc) and the proper solvent.  It's never easy if the job was done right ahead of you. 

[Fishes in trees]

PB Blaster makes a spray designed to take decals off.   I've use it and it works ok.   Heat gun helps also.  (All my experience is with a tin boat)   Once you get a corner of the decal lifted off,  I found that locking on with a pair of pliers and consistent pressure worked best.

The spray can had a little red tube you could install in the spray valve and be very accurate where you sprayed the solvent.   Sometimes I could pull the whole decal off in one piece.    Decals that had been on for a long time and been pounded and scraped against trees often are harder.  Sounds like an afternoon 3 or 4 beer chore to me.  Gear up prior to starting.   You'll need a razor scraper and extra blades, solvent and pliers that can grab and pull on a decal without tearing it, and a blow dryer/heat gun.

(That solvent smells nasty and most likely isn't good for you so work in a well ventilated area or aim your shop fan to blow the fumes away from you)

 

[Crappiebasser]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the slow scrap and peel is going to be the way. Maybe the neighbor's kid would like to make a few bucks lol.

[WPCfishing]

Spray "Goo Gone" on the decals and let it set for an hour. It won't dry. Then scrape the decal off.