Changing numbers on inflatable

[viben]

How do I remove or cover the old license numbers on my Caribe inflatable tender without damaging the fabric, so that I can paint the new numbers on it?

[JPA Cate]

If the glue used is not SC 2000 or 4000, use a heat gun, and it should break down the glue bond, this works with most stick-on letters.

If you do not want to try that, buy some lightweight hypalon, cut it in a patch large enough to put the new letters on, put on the new ones, then use SC 2 or 4 thousand to bond it on, or Bostik. If it is humid when you glue, the Bostik will eventually fail, it is happpiest where dry. Life in the tin is poor.

If they were painted on, you can use a paint solvent: anything from citrus stripper through turpentine, to acetone. For hypalon, use acetone or methylethylketone (MEK) to clean the fabric before gluing, after sanding it lightly, just to give it "tooth".

Ann

An afterthought: We bought standard stencil material and made up stencils for our registration numbers, and used spray paint to apply them. To refresh, you just tape the stencil over the numbers and letters, and do it again, just a quick solvent wipe first.

[viben]

The first challenge is to remove or cover the old painted numbers. I am worried that harsh chemicals strong enough to dissolve the paint, which seems to be penetrating the fabric, will damage the inflatable. Hence, what kind of paint can I safely use to cover the old numbers before painting the new ones? (I already have the stencils ready.)

[a64pilot]

Hypalon, or Vinyl? Hypalon I believe is pretty chemical resistant, vinyl I'd bet you may have to be more careful

[Cheechako]

Are they glued on numbers or painted on?

[JPA Cate]

If painted on, use the acetone, if it's hypalon, we've been using it on hypalon for years. If it is pvc, do NOT use acetone. Citrus stripper should do it for you, since they are painted. Then clean, and dry.

What we used for painting numbers on inflatable dinghies was some kind of paint used for renewing the red insides of dorade scoops, and it stays quite flexible, which is useful when you let the air out.

Ann