Many boat owners display the names of their boats with vinyl lettering, which can prove difficult to remove if you rename your boat or purchase a previously-owned one. Decorative stripes and manufacturer labels are also decals. Removal is a two-step process: you must first remove the decal itself and then remove the remaining glue underneath. You can choose from a wide selection of products and tools to remove decals from your boat. While a subtle ghost image of the original decal may remain, you can usually disguise this with new lettering or a new decal.
Heat the decal with a heat gun or blow dryer, melting the adhesive glue. Peel the decal off with your fingers, a plastic scraper or a plastic putty knife. Alternately, rub the decal off with a 3M Stripe-Off Wheel attached to a power drill. This will remove the decal without damaging the surface of the boat.
Wipe off the remaining adhesive with acetone, Goo Gone, WD-40, Goof Off, mineral spirits or a commercial adhesive remover and a white rag.
Buff and shine the surface once you remove all adhesive to remove or eliminate any remaining "ghost" outline of the decal or lettering.
