Vinyl Lettering Removal

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

I find Acetone a little too aggressive on the gelcoat as it actually softens (dissolves) it.

So not true. I have used many hundreds of gallons on gelcoat, it will take the wax right off but does no damage. If you have gelcoat which is damaged by acetone you have a serious problem...

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by minaret

So not true. I have used many hundreds of gallons on gelcoat, it will take the wax right off but does no damage. If you have gelcoat which is damaged by acetone you have a serious problem...

Maybe I'm wrong but I have noticed the whiteness on the rag and the gelcoat feels a little sticky when I have used it. Also tried once to remove some black streaks of unknown origin off the gelcoat, only to have it stain into the gelcoat slightly.
If I was to remove a "goo" from gelcoat, I would be more apt to use a more petroleum based product like "goo gone".

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Maybe I'm wrong but I have noticed the whiteness on the rag and the gelcoat feels a little sticky when I have used it. Also tried once to remove some black streaks of unknown origin off the gelcoat, only to have it stain into the gelcoat slightly.
If I was to remove a "goo" from gelcoat, I would be more apt to use a more petroleum based product like "goo gone".

Your rag should be coming back spotless off clean gel. If it's not it's either paint or there's a very big problem. Sure you're not just seeing the dust and dirt you might be wiping? I wipe for prep with acetone all the time, the surface is already spotless and the rag comes back clean every time. The wipe is to make sure all dust is gone and evaporate any moisture. If you have porous gelcoat then trying to wipe any sort of goo off of it with any solvent will wipe it into the pores, leaving pinhole stains that can't be removed. But that should be the only way possible to wipe black streaks into your gel. Petroleum products are the worst way to go, they take much too long to evaporate and leave a residue. Alchohol is the safest solvent for wiping gelcoat, followed closely by acetone. Xylene is great for removing adhesive residue, but make sure to wipe it clean and dry with acetone as soon as you have the residue off.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by minaret

Your rag should be coming back spotless off clean gel. If it's not it's either paint or there's a very big problem. Sure you're not just seeing the dust and dirt you might be wiping? I wipe for prep with acetone all the time, the surface is already spotless and the rag comes back clean every time. The wipe is to make sure all dust is gone and evaporate any moisture. If you have porous gelcoat then trying to wipe any sort of goo off of it with any solvent will wipe it into the pores, leaving pinhole stains that can't be removed. But that should be the only way possible to wipe black streaks into your gel. Petroleum products are the worst way to go, they take much too long to evaporate and leave a residue. Alcohol is the safest solvent for wiping gelcoat, followed closely by acetone. Xylene is great for removing adhesive residue, but make sure to wipe it clean and dry with acetone as soon as you have the residue off.

Well...It wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong. Just ask all my ex's. It could be that the hull was so oxidized, I was seeing that instead. Regardless, I will use alcohol. I know it's safe for that.
Just a side note...I used alcohol to clean the clear plastic bowls of my Racor filters and they crazed terribly. It seems I need to brush up on my chemistry...