How To Remove Boat Decals: 3 Proven Methods For Easy Removal of Vinyl Stickers, Decals and Graphics!
You just got a new boat, and it has out-of-state registration decals, or maybe it has some terrible vinyl stickers and graphics on the side with an inappropriate name that you and your wife hate.
Maybe, you just want to remove a faded pen stripe decal from your boat so you can put a new one on the boat.
This article will walk you through three proven ways that I have personally used to remove boat decals and sticks. Let’s get started…
Regardless of why you want to remove old vinyl decals and stickers from your fiberglass, aluminum, or even wooded boat, this article will provide you with proven methods for getting the job done with the least amount of effort.
How Do You Remove Boat Decals?
There are three popular ways to remove old decals, stickers and vinyl graphics from a boat: an eraser wheel, a heat gun with a scraper (razor blade), or use a hot water pressure washer.
There are other methods you can use, but these three have proven effective over and over again.
Method #1 Removing Boat Decals and Vinyl Stickers From A Boat
I’m starting this article with what I consider to be the easiest way to remove decals from a boat’s exterior surface. It’s called an Eraser Wheel.
Eraser Wheel
What Is An Eraser Wheel? An eraser wheel is a tool that connects to a drill that you use to remove stickers and decals. Typically you see these used in the automotive world to remove vinyl pinstripes from a car.
When I purchased my last boat, it had an out-of-state registration number.
I needed to remove the decals and put my new registration stickers on the fiberglass hull.
This is where I first learned of the eraser wheel. I did a bunch of research and felt this was my best option for removing the decals.
Here are a few photos when using the eraser wheel:
The above photo shows where the eraser wheel has started to erase/remove the “E.” It almost looks smeared like it would if you used a pencil eraser to erase pencil marks.
The eraser wheel does leave behind a lot of small particles from the removed stickers. Not to mention they are relatively cheap to buy online.
I tried a few different brands, but ultimately the 3M lasted the longest over some of the no-name or random brand names.
If you are doing a big project, you may want to go ahead and buy a bulk kit with multiple wheels like this one.
✅Expert Tip: Buy They Right Eraser Wheel
Only buy the 3M Eraser Wheels. I wasted money trying the cheaper brands. They left wore out faster, did not work as well, and some even left eraser marks on my boat. I got it off, but it took more work than it should have. The 3M eraser wheels are the proven and effective way to go.
Here is an Amazon link to the exact eraser wheel I use.
You can see it close up in this next photo, along with a sticky residue from the adhesives that were left behind from the decals.
How To Remove Sticky Residue From A Fiberglass Boat?
This is how you remove sticky residue or glue from a fiberglass boat.
Follow these six steps and your fiberglass boat will be clean and looking like new.
- Apply Solvent To A Rag: Apply a small amount of acetone solvent (aka – nail polish remover) to a clean rag. The rag should be damp, but not soaked with acetone.
- Wipe Glue To Soften: Wipe away the glue on the fiberglass using the moistened rag. The solvent causes the glue to soften, making it easier for you to wipe up and remove.
- Add More Solvent & Reapply to Boat: Reapply acetone to the rag and continue to wipe the glue away until it is completely removed.
- Add Soap To Bucket: Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to a bucket of water (warm water works best if available).
- Wipe Fiberglass With Soapy Water: Moisten a cloth with soapy water and wipe down the fiberglass to remove any dirt.
- Rinse Fiberglass: Fully rinse the fiberglass boat with fresh water.
- Dry Boat: Using a clean rag or microfiber drying towel fully wipe down the fiberglass to dry.
Alternative Method To Remove Glue From Fiberglass
If you do not have acetone (nail polish remover) available, you can also use rubbing alcohol. I prefer to use the 90% concentration to remove glue from fiberglass boats.
I have not removed the glue from an aluminum boat with acetone or rubbing alcohol before, but my assumption is it would be okay since you will clean the area well with fresh water when you are done.
With this said, you might want to research it a little further before trying it just to be safe.
✅ Editors Tip: Cut and Compound
If This doesn’t result in a clean boat surface, you will probably have to go to a cut compound process to get the mirror-like fiberglass finish you are after. Removal of the sticky adhesive can be a challenge, but with a little time and effort, it should come clean.
Suggested Article:
Cost To Wrap A Boat: Here’s What It Really Costs For A Vinyl Wrap!
Method #2 For Removing Boat Decals and Stickers
The second popular method for removing decals and stickers from a boat is the use of a heat gun or hairdryer along with a scraper or razor blade.
In the photos above, this is the method I first started using. I had used it previously to remove the name of a car dealership from a vehicle I purchased, and it worked well for those small letters on the tailgate.
However, when trying to remove the vinyl registration letters from my ten-year-old boat, it really did not work very well, and my fingers were yelling at me.
Your experience may be better than mine, so let me tell you how to do it.
Let me first say be very careful using a heat gun. They get extremely hot, and you could damage your boat if you are not careful.
If this is the first time you have tried removing stickers with the heat on a boat (or any object for that matter), I suggest using a hairdryer because they do not get as hot as a heat gun but can still do the trick, only slower.
How To Remove Vinyl Decals With A Heat Gun
1. Gather Tools
- Heat Gun or Hair Dryer
- Plastic Scraping Blade
- Adhesive Remover
- Decal Removal Wheel (optional but helpful!)
2. Heat
Warm the surface of the decal with a heat gun or hairdryer until the vinyl becomes more flexible.
3. Peel
Take a plastic blade tool and scrape vinyl from the surface. (Note: if the vinyl is old and brittle, it will most likely come off in small pieces. If the vinyl is not that old, you may be able to pull it off in bigger sections.)
4. Clean
Once you have peeled all of the vinyl off, you will have to clean the adhesive off the surface with a product designed to remove adhesive without damaging the paint. ALWAYS SPOT TEST AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA BEFORE APPLYING ADHESIVE REMOVER.
It’s possible that some cleaners with harsh chemicals could cause discoloration to the paint while removing the adhesive residue. Applying it first to a small area will ensure you don’t cause too much damage.
The “General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner” is a Suggested product by 3M Products Inc., part # 08947. This adhesive cleaner can be purchased at most hardware or paint supply stores.
Clean the surface with soap and water, then check to ensure no remaining pieces of vinyl or adhesive are stuck to it. Source
Method #3 To Remove Decals and Stickers From A Boat
The third method for removing decals and stickers from a boat is using a hot water pressure washer.
This works well because the hot water heats up the decals and the underlying glue.
When the decal heats up, it becomes more pliable. When the glues heat up, they are easier to remove.
As a result, the hot water makes the stickers easier to remove, and then the high-pressure water is able to force the sticker to come apart from the boat hull.
I have to admit, I learned this trick from a friend named Justin, who restores old Jeep Grand Wagoneers that have large vinyl woodgrain decals on the side.
Those Jeeps have a ton of vinyl, and using this method can help make the job go a little quicker.
Here’s a Photo:
While I have not tried this method, you can see it works.
More Vinyl Wrap Articles:
Be sure to check out these other readers’ recommended articles related to vinyl-wrapped boats.
Closing Thoughts
If you are trying to remove a vinyl decal or a registration sticker from a boat, definitely start with the eraser wheel.
From my experience, using the eraser wheel to get decals off of a boat is the best way for most DIY’ers (and professionals) to get off decals.
Just know once the decals are removed, you may still see an outline of where the decals were. To correct this, you must compound and polish the area with a rubbing compound before installing new decals.
This is caused by your boat’s oxidization over time, which is why you can still see where the decals were previously installed.
Check out one of our articles about detailing your boat. There you can get greater detail on how to produce a mirror finish on your boat hull.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to remove vinyl boat decals?
The best way to remove vinyl boat decals is to use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm up the adhesive, then carefully peel off the decal using a plastic scraper. Another effective method is to use a decal remover solution, which can dissolve the adhesive and make it easier to remove the decal.
How do I remove boat name decals without damaging the gelcoat?
To remove boat name decals without damaging the gelcoat, it is important to use a gentle decal remover solution that is safe for use on gelcoat surfaces. It is also recommended to test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not cause any damage or discoloration.
What is the most effective decal remover for boats?
There are many decal remover solutions available on the market, but one of the most effective options is a citrus-based solvent that is safe for use on a variety of surfaces, including gelcoat, fiberglass, and metal. This type of solution can quickly dissolve the adhesive and make it easy to remove decals without causing any damage to the underlying surface.
Can I use an eraser wheel to remove boat decals?
Yes, an eraser wheel can be an effective tool for removing boat decals, especially if they are particularly stubborn or difficult to remove. However, it is important to use the wheel carefully and avoid applying too much pressure, as this can damage the underlying surface.
Is Vinyl-Off spray safe for removing decals from boats?
Yes, Vinyl-Off spray is safe for use on boats and can be an effective way to remove decals without causing any damage to the underlying surface. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and to test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not cause any damage or discoloration.
Are there any tips for removing vinyl stripes from a boat?
When removing vinyl stripes from a boat, it is important to work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the underlying surface. Using a heat gun or hair dryer to warm up the adhesive can make it easier to remove the stripes, and a plastic scraper can be used to gently peel them off. It is also recommended to use a decal remover solution to dissolve the adhesive and make the process easier.