Removing lettering question?

[kenf1111]

We have removed the "stick-on" lettering from the stern of our suncat 17. There is a "shadow" on the fiberglass where the letters were. Any tips on how to get the area to be free of that "shadow" . Any product that might help? thx in advance.

[CaptRon28]

3M make a glue remover (General Purpose Adhesive Remover) that works well. But, without seeing the boat, I have a hunch that much of this shadow is due to the gel coat fading everywhere but under the old lettering. Try a light duty rubbing compound. You may have to do the whole boat.

[skip1930]

A hair dryer or paint stripping heat gun. Soften, lift a corner and peel away. Don't exceed 160 Deg F . That's like a black car in full sun...you can almost touch it and keep your finger on it. Then a little automotive rubbing compound to remove any residue and prep the surface for more sticky numbers or letters or vessel safety sticker.

skip.

[Bob23]

Ken:
   I had the same problem with my 1985 23. I removed the old letters like Skip suggested, using my heat gun at low setting. It still took a while. The surrounding gel coat had faded so I ended up wet sanding starting with 400, working up to 1000 grit and finally using rubbing compound. I then applied the new lettering in the same area. I never got rid of the old image but it virtually disappears under the new, darker lettering.
   I did not wet sand the entire boat but instead faded the sanded area out. Eventually, I did compound the whole boat at a later time and waxed, waxed, waxed and then waxed some more! Fun!
Bob23