F32 Cabin Stripe Removal

[Mac32]

I have seen a few boats on this forum and in other places that have the painted on cabin stripe removed. (the one on the side between the walking surface and cabin windows).

Safety strip seems to work in a test area but it leaves a slight ghost image. So not my favorite option.

I do plan on rubbing the surface out after wards, but want the majority of it off first so I dont contaminate the surrounding gelcoat.

Any good suggestions that work?

[ready123]

Be aware that the gelcoat underneath the stripe has been protected from UV rays and so will not likely match the colour of the remaining uncovered area. You will likely have to work the whole side section with compound and then wax & buff.
So with that in mind removing with compound prior to buffing may well be the easiest route.

I had the painted name removed from my transom by grinding with compound and the shadow was visible from close up. Once I put the new vinyl name on, which broke it up substantially, it was no longer visible to other's eyes. 2yrs on a buff and polish job of the whole transom (boat really) has now removed it from even my eyes!

[Stripermann2]

Easy-off oven cleaner will remove the paint. However, you need to keep everything below the area you are removing wet and keep rinsing it. No matter what, you are going to get a ghost image from the fade...You can buff and polish, this will help but only time, will help with the ghost appearence.

[TADTOOMUCH]

My whole boat was repainted with Imron including the bootstripe but did not want to have the other stripes repainted so that is how mine disappeared.

[Stripermann2]

TTM, I wish my boat were white...mine's creme or off-white. Yours as well as others here, looks really nice, all white.

Maybe if I ever hit the lottery, I'll do a complete make-over!

[gjrylands]

When I installed the radar arch I relocated the antennas, mast light, and radar that was mounted to the bridge. I removed the bridge to the ground where it was easier to do the body work of filling all of the holes left from the relocation. At this time I also removed the black strip on the bridge. The strip was initially painted and then covered with tape. When removed, I found that there were cracks in the gelcoat where the tape was. I summerized that they formed from the heat difference when the sun heated the black stripe. (The gelcoat was cool compared to the hot black stripe) I ground each crack and filled them before I painted it with Emron. While sanding the body work of filling the cracks, I sanded the shadow of the stripe off.

[TADTOOMUCH]

I also have limo tinted all the glass since this photo was taken and it makes the boat look about 20 years newer. That was a fun time but worth it. Keeps the boat nice and cool so the AC doesn't have to work as hard. The boat was repainted with Imron Hatteras White and the hull was also painted with Imron along with the bootstripe. Everything below water was Awlgrip and then the Ablative coat of bottom paint. All the black aluminum window and door trim was also painted with black Imron. All interior cloth, carpet and cushions were re-done and this summer I hope to put in teak and holly floor in whole cabin. Well at least my wife would like me to do that. I'd rather just drink beer and watch bikini's.

[Mac32]

Ok, Easy off works great on the paint stripe, unfortunatly its more work rubbing out where the overspray seems to yellow the fiberglass than it seems worth it? I am using the heavy duty easy off may be I should try the regular one? Safety strip takes a few hours to work but doesnt leave a yellow stain.

The other thing I noticed is I can cut the ghost completly out with rubbing compound but........ where the stripe covered up the fiberglass for the past 32 years there is a pronounced step like the fiberglass has worn down a few mil from the original thickness. So the next step is to feather the edge by wet sanding with 500 grit to 700 then to the rubbing compound again.

This is becoming a bigger task than I anticipated, Any easier ideas guys, Preferably something that will allow me to sit back, drink a beer and whatch the magic happen.......oh yeah and it needs to be cheap too.

[Mac32]

Alright I just did a few searches on the internet and found that the heavy duty easy off in the yellow can has acid or Lye in it and will stain the fiberglass. But the Fume free Max in the blue can does not dis color the fiberglass..........It was a 50-50 chance I would get it wrong, and Murphy was chuckling on this one....

Tomorrow I will try the blue stuff and hopefully make my job easier.

[Mac32]

Blue can of easy off still stains the fiberglass around the stripe......

Any ideas?

[gjrylands]

I stripped the painted name off my transom with oven cleaner, and the cleaner stained the transom yellow. I, like yourself, freaked out. I buffed the transon to bring out the shine, but it didn't take out the yellow. You don't need to do anything about it. The yellow fads away. In a week you will hardly see it; in two weeks it will be gone., but like I said time took care of the problem. If the stain was a permanent no one would recomend it. Relax there is no problem.

[Safari]

After using Easy Off, you need to wipe down with white vinegar to prevent staining.....

[Mac32]

The stain seems to appear instantly, and it does seem to go away a little after time. Does the vinegar remove the stain if it is already there?

If so then I wonder if it is a PH issue if there is still lye in the easy off and the vinegar neutralizes it.........Kind of like on fight club, but only with yellow boat stains.

Hey maybe my boat is my alter ego?

[Safari]

I don't think so, but I'm sure it would fade quickly. I remember posting earlier on a similar subject:

"for removing the old name - use multiple applications of Easy Off oven cleaner (no scrubbing). After each application, hose off with water, wipe down, and then (kind of important), wipe down with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Repeat until paint is gone - usually 2 or 3 applications. When done, you will probably need to sand with 1000 grit paper and then polish."

[jimbo36]

I have used Interlux fibreglass paint remover. Lifted the paint like stripper but did not harm the gelcoat. Gelcoat, over time, does wear down and fade out. UV rays as well as oxidation and polishing helps things along. The paint prevented this deteriorating process. When stripped, the original surface is like new. Cut polishing and time is the only answer. Or, of course, a fresh new painted stripe. Lots to be said for original stripping. Some boats with tons of vinyl stripes show their age. Personally, I think this one black stripe helps retain the character of the Trojan look.