Restore faded boat decals These vinyl printed stickers , made of very strong adhesive, are made to adhere to the boat’s body and stay on — even when exposed to water, moisture, and sunlight. But there’s a better way. I want to remove the decals and get a We're back in the garage and today I'll show you how to replace old damaged decals on your boat, including aged and cracked or split decals, old faded decals Through damage caused by the elements, the soft surface of the gelcoat is eroded and can leave it looking chalky and dull in its appearance. Unfortunately, most boat washes won’t be up to the job, you will need to look at firstly an acid wash followed by a ‘cutting or buffing compound’ and then a wax and polish. Take pics before you start doing " whatever " to them in case you need someone to make them for you. Beachtobaydiveservices@gmail. Method #1 Removing Boat Decals and Vinyl Stickers From A Boat. Courtesy Lenny Rudow. the original decals are starting to come off and the hull has a chalky appearance. The first thing you need to do is determine if that colored stripe is a Racing stripes, decals graphics. Kwik Shine is an excellent product for reversing the color and shine of faded vinyl. It drives me bonkers. STEP 1: WASH A soap and ammonia solution removes surface grime and wax build-up on the gelcoat. Older decals or poor quality decals will break up if they are not heated up before removal. Jan 13, 2004 #11 Re: Faded Canvas I've used RITZ cloth dye to recolor auto carpets and it works A1. Because boat seats encounter harsh chemical sunscreens, body oil, shoes, cleaning, and lots of water, it's wise to match the original color or choose Fiberglass & Epoxy Boat Repair; Boat Paint & Varnish Faded Canvas Moving to Boat Questions. Mixing wood and Unfortunately, the process can be expensive and difficult. Older fiberglass boats may look dusty from oxidation. Anyone know if someone makes replacement decals for these? Also, any good ideas for freshening up my gauge cluster and steering wheel area. Explore proven methods and products to bring back the vibrant colors of your faded boat. Learning how to restore chalky gelcoat is a skill that any boat owner should know. Here are a few examples of boat stripes that have failed: Restoring boat paint starts with a material that most boat owners are familiar with: fiberglass. Dock Piling Wrap; Dock Piling Inspections; Restoring old gelcoat is a matter of degrees. Start with a cleaning of the boat using a boat-friendly cleaner like Boat Cleaner, which can be mixed with water to provide greater coverage. Restoring Oxidized Gelcoat. you can try the sanding route but usually the fading runs very deep. When they are faded, etched, or stainedthink twice before pealing them off for new ones. The spray material gets into the pores of the gel coat and can cause staining—if not right away, then later on as the boat ages. 5. i The Sun has taken a toll on my Cougar’s fiberglass finish. The decal's original color state is restored and the blotces will be hidden. Carefully inspect your boat cover for any signs of damage. 03/04/2025. Start with a product that is considered ultra-fine polish first because regular rubbing compound might cut too fast and eat right through the paint. I’ve witnessed my share, including scratched, scuffed, scraped or sun-faded finishes on outboard engines and sterndrive units. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Removing the decal. The Owatrol Gelcoat Restorer brings life back to old vessels that had gone dull and faded. Having faded paint can make all the difference when trying to sell your boat. milehighcampers. The first step is to ensure we have the correct colors and dimensions on file for your year & model. Of course, you must remove the faded ones before you can replace your decals. However, for various reasons, you may wish to remove or replace these decals. Providing the gelcoat has an adequate thickness — your boat might have been compounded previously — this process will restore the shine to fiberglass in almost any condition. O. We specialize in restoring your gelcoat to factory condition, thereby protecting your investment and adding years to the How to remove heavy boat oxidation fast! I made this video to help you save money by showing you how to quickly and easily remove oxidation from your boat an Tips for safely using a polisher to restore your boat's finish. Unless you have our quick guide on how to remove boat decals For this restoration, we'd need to grid out the 'J' and 'A' in order to exactly replicate the lettering, with one of the bigger challenges being to color match the new lettering so that it would blend in with the existing lettering. i have tried several times (usually at customers request) but have never actually succeeded 100%. Once you get this task done, just feel free to apply your favorite graphics onto the boat cover and refurbish your old craft. Home; About; Diving Services Menu Toggle. I just apply it, let it haze and then buff off. The once glossy mirror finish turned to an ugly dull chalky white. Despite being damaged for years, your boat’s original color What did for one owner was using Rejuvenate Restorer Wipes. The front cap faded years ago but because it is white, “a man running for his How To Restore Color To Vinyl Decals. Please don't forget to hit that LIKE button and SUBS i have run into this many many many times in my biz. com. Sanding is for pretty extreme oxidation and not necessary for your boat. Never peel off the old ones until we have sent Fiberglass & Epoxy Boat Repair; Boat Paint & Varnish Restoring faded plastic? Jamie, <br />I am not sure if faded/discolored plastic could be restored without painting it. Learn how you can easily repair the paint on your outboard or sterndrive using a ColorRite refinishing kit. You could also have a sign shop make you vinyl decals, but those would typically go on the front. Substitute a sodium Q: The colored stripe on my boat is really faded. Remember that gelcoat is only a thin layer to begin with-it varies from 1. A reader writes in to expert Dave Solberg wondering how he can restore fiberglass and his faded RV decals. Also, the gel coat on boats is a mile The best vinyl decals restoration process will not only restore the shine and color of your decals but also protect them from further deterioration. Easy Removal of Old Boat Lettering and Graphics. The gauges dont look too bad, its just In this video, we demonstrate how to bring back the life and colour to the hull of a boat which has faded over time, using sandpaper, wet and dry paper, and If you are trying to find a VIN number or trailer information on the builder's sticker on an older trailer it made be faded and un-readable. This will restore color and have it look new. Welcome to my channel, Homes for Beginners where I show you how to do repairs around the house yourself. Wondering whether to leave the boat clean once they are off or maybe some kind of updated decals. From polishing and waxing to specialized treatments! Skip to content. 3M makes a few. My dash was a straight piece of plastic panel screwed with 4 screws to the fiberglass. Before starting any repairs, clean the canvas Plus, it is equipped with a non-flaring formula that ensures your boat’s safe restoration. Fiberglass & Epoxy Boat Repair; Boat Paint & Varnish; Marine Adhesives, Sealant, & Caulking We did the same to ours and naturally it left a non faded clean look where the decals came off. Faded fiberglass is often to blame for the faded look of your paint. Regatta Boat Graphics - from RegattaLive! | P. Wednesday, April 23, 2025. **4. Clean off any superficial dirt from the vinyl decals with a soft cloth and a solution of detergent and When they are faded, etched, or stainedthink twice before pealing them off for new ones. Post topics relevant to Sea-Doo personal watercrafts in this forum section. be careful how far you sand though. Faded, chalky, oxidized gel coat can be brought back to its original luster and shine, with these simple steps. Although some other decal removal methods might call for them, the process of the eraser wheel just makes sure that you don't end up damaging or scuffing the finish. Remove the decals revealing "virgin" (non-faded) gelcoat. My parents had a 2003 Winnebago Brave and the main decal faded in less than four years. When the blotches reappear just repeat the process. And that’s why many of the products used in restoring these decals are marine-grade. com===== Rinse the decals with clear water and allow them to air dry completely. Sometimes, you’d even have to The patch under the decal will appear darker than the surrounding areas as the red paint around the decal will have faded in the sun. If that's the case, you can't remove it, you need to bring the rest of the hull "back" to match. This will be a Remove or tape over colored labels and decals. Having tried a few options, this seems to work!Oil I used - https://amzn. This demonstration is comple Restore dull or faded boat paintwork with polishing by hand or machine – follow simple steps to revive colour and achieve a glossy, lasting finish. And while restoring slightly faded gel coat on your fiberglass boat hull is easy, it do Re: Aluminum boat paint restoration chalking faded You can try some polishing compound but nothing harsh. . Mind you the surface was really bad. It’s necessary to polish, or compound first Prep the Mixture Tim Barker. To remove faded decals, start by heating the area with a hair dryer or similar appliance. 00 0 Cart. so I can't replace Instant transformation. Adhesive Residue: Leftover My first choice to restore the color of the black decal is to apply Turtle Wax Color Car Wax (in black of course). Another option is to remove the decal and either replace or repaint it. The fifth step of restoring the vinyl boat seat color is to wipe the excess color restorer product from the seats. Problems With Boat Stripes. The process was to clean the decals first, then after letting them dry, use the wipes. I believe they have a super black if you want it really dark. The decals were deteriorated to almost half. You’ll need the following materials for the procedure Over time the decals (swoops and swirls) on our 2004 Fleetwood Southwind motorhome had become faded and gray, making our otherwise beautiful RV look shabby. The heat will help loosen the adhesive, making removing the decals easier. Use it on faded la **3. Tape off or cover any colored areas you wish to save. *Online Retailers:* West Marine – Find a wide range of marine products, including gelcoat Post topics relevant to Sea-Doo personal watercrafts in this forum section. to/3g1IJEqSUPPORT THE CHANNELOur Patreon Page - https://www. What’s the best way to bring back the deep color and gloss? A: Colored stripes that run along the topside or on the hull or waterline often fade quickly and need to be polished on a regular basis if you want them to retain their deeper color and gloss. The process of removing vinyl decals requires careful attention to avoid damaging the underlying surface. Uneven Fading: If decals protect the hull from UV rays, once removed, “ghosting” (lighter or darker areas) may appear. In that case, you can try and restoring it by priming and painting it. Soft cloths. I’m an RV enthusiast, with a family of six, who enjoys getting out camping on the weekends and taking some longer trips a couple of times a year. Finally, after two steps with super duty, the hull began to show signs of life! I ordered the Restoration Care Kit for $72. After one round with the super duty compound, some oxidization was still visible, so another round of the super duty compound was required. We bought a new decal from the parts department and I was able to take the old one off with a heat gun, plastic putty knife, and a ton of elbow grease! Thinking of removing the decals from my 240 Sundeck as they are looking a little faded, not too bad but not new either. To wipe away the excess vinyl color restorer product: Interestingly, this is the same tech used in painting boats. I’m starting this article with what I consider to be the easiest way to remove decals from a boat’s exterior surface. Working on the boat in sections, as the wax or polish dries, change bonnets again and use a fresh Re: decal "ghost shadow" Can you post pics? The first thing that pops in my mind (usually wrong) is that the rest of the hull may be a little faded from the sun. Here is what another owner did to restore his decals: 1. Eraser Wheel. com Meguiar’s #50 Boat and RV Cleaner Wax Liquid or a mild Our 11 year old Arctic Fox is showing cracked decals now. A simple solution can be found: replacing vinyl boat seats. The wax layer also protects the vinyl for several washes. However, restoring your gelcoat is one of the easiest boat tasks that you can Also be careful over the decals, it can burn the edges up. Most boat owners prefer the eraser wheel because it doesn't require the use of too much pressure, friction, heat, or harsh chemicals. **Click "Show More" for more info**Order The decals from our website!!=====Check out our NEW Website for 2023!!https://www **Click "Show More" for more info**=====Check out our NEW Website for 2023!!https://www. 95, containing soap for washing the boat, multiple sheets of sandpaper (1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 grit), sealant polish, various waxes for maintaining shine once restored, applicator pads and microfiber towels. *Boating Forums:* The Hull Truth – Join discussions, ask questions, and share your experiences with fellow boaters on this active boating forum. I am often asked, "What is the best way to remove old boat lettering and boat graphics?" Perhaps you wish to change the name of the watercraft, or perhaps you just want to upgrade your lettering to a new style with matching boat lettering graphic accents and accessories. - Cleaning and Preparing the Canvas. The wheel may just need replacing, its all faded and ugly. Step 1. The eraser wheel can become hot during use. Login $ 0. hate to say it but once it is faded like that you may be screwed. I have a 1998 Rude cowling that was fading, Last year I buffed it with a wheel and west marine clean & wax boat wax, I did not want to use compound thinking it would be to harsh, It came out OK, but faded mid season, This spring I just painted mine ,took off the decals with hair dryer, sanded ,wipe down with laquer thiner and spray painted it, then went on the internet and Cutting: A heavily faded boat needs a heavier cutting compound to remove oxidation completely. BillP Captain. It’s a symptom of oxidization and the reason the RV decals look faded and white. Boats are usually adorned with stickers, whether vinyl lettering of the boat’s name or other decals that showcase its brand or add a custom detail. Clean the Surface: Use a small amount of rubbing alcohol to clean any dirt or grime from the area where you remove decals. Do It Yourself Like The Pros. Making New Decals To restore decals completely, you will need laser or inkjet Cracked, faded, and stained vinyl seats are unfortunately par for the course when you own a boat or jet ski, and replacing or traditionally restoring these seats can cost hundreds of dollars! Thankfully, Vinyl Coat is available for marine enthusiasts who want to keep their seats looking like new, all year long. Apply with a sponge and let dry. Test the temperature by In order to help restore the faded boat paint, SFMD used a super duty compound, a rotary buffer, and a wool pad. Marine; RV; Automotive; Aviation; Maintenance; Restoring a Boat’s Finish. What Is An Eraser Wheel? An eraser wheel is a tool that connects to a drill that you use to remove stickers and decals. Joined Aug 10, 2002 Messages 3,290. RVtravel. Use a heat gun to easily and quickly rejuvenate faded and oxidized plastics. Do not shake the can of DiamondFinish Clear, as this can introduce air bubbles that will mar the finish. Replaced with new decals and poli glowed. The white chalky appearance i I've seen spray-on decal/tape removers on the market. Custom self-adhering vinyl graphics, striping tape and letter and number decals are a popular choice for adding a personal touch to boats. Since then sem has released a specific trim dye in a big can. ( You can Gel Coat Restoration. If restoring the hull requires wet-sanding or rubbing compound, the general rule is to start with the least aggressive approach. DIY Boat Cover Repair Step-by-Step. ; Boat Design Net – Explore discussions related to boat maintenance, including gelcoat restoration, on this community forum. HOW WE RESTORED OUR FADED AND CRACKED RV VINYL DECALS RV makeover painting graphics, Painting over RV vinyl decals, RV Decal painting, can you paint over RV If restoring your decals doesn’t work, you have another option to rejuvenate your RV: replacing them. To restore the color, simply spray a few drops of this product onto a soft cotton . While it may seem like a simple task—just peel and go—improper decal removal can lead to: Surface Damage: Aggressive scraping can scratch or gouge gel coats, paint, or vinyl wraps. Does anyone have any luck restoring or painting faded decals on boats? I have a Yamaha Jet Boat 23'. This also minimizes minor scratches to help restore the original shine. Let your boat sit for too long, and its gelcoat will eventually look chalky and dull. Just looking for ideas and pictures if you have removed yours. com Your Original Boat Logos & Decals Original Faded, Peeling OEM Nitro Logos (Before Photo 1) Original Faded, Peeling OEM Nitro Model Designator Logos (Before Photo 2) 1. Although the decal wasn’t etched into the hull, the fact that a decal can stick on so strongly to the boat can mean a time and labor-intensive process of removal. Squirt the compound on the gelcoat and buff quickly with horizontal, then vertical, sweeps of the buffer. Removing decals on a budget is possible with a hairdryer and some razor blades, but if you want to make the job easier, you can use more specialized tools. Monday, April 28, 2025. Over the winter surface oxidation can make your boat's shine go dull. is the paint being on the back side, won't get scratched. The number of wipes you will use depends on the size of your RV or trailer. This will help get rid of any superficial How to Remove Boat Decals Decals can be removed from most painted surfaces. EDIT: Mine was faded worse than that. I had a 10 year old truck dyed the all the faded rim drove it another 8 years trim stayed satin black. Heat the Surface: Plug in the eraser wheel and let it heat up. Poli Glow® Deluxe RV Restoration Kit. By Deborah Stephenson Feb 26, 2011 6:27 pm EST. Preparation: Before starting, ensure that no objects or surfaces near the decal could be damaged by heat. Box 71212 | Richmond CA 94801 | regattalive@gmail. Clean off any superficial dirt from the vinyl decals with a soft cloth and a solution of detergent and water. Be careful not to overdo it; most gelcoat colors are only 20 mils deep. If you want to restore the exterior, you’re going to have to know what to do about your All my switches are faded on my 96 capri 1850 bayliner. The first problem to consider is how to repair vinyl boat seats that have been damaged due to wear, age, or tear. I don't recommend using these if the gel coat is old or faded. You cant buff out decals. By William Agreste. You may prefer the original look of the decal and don’t want to go through the hassle of removing it. Many times you can use a small handheld black light used for finding A/C system leaks. One solution for dry, faded plastic is to use a vinyl restorative product on it. 2. If you run your hand along a faded decal you may have chalky white dust left on your fingers. About Us; How do you restore faded vinyl decals? Category: style and fashion bath and shower. Why Proper Decal Removal Matters. Instead, wearing protective gloves and eye wear and working in a well The fact that the ghosting is flush indicates that these letters were not on the boat when new and were probably added in the last 5 to 10 years. To restore shine to a fiberglass boat, it’s necessary to remove the oxidized portion of the gelcoat, and return the outer surface to the glassy reflective finish it once had. Fiberglass & Epoxy Boat Repair; and although the boat is in great shape, some parts are faded and/or scratched. Things Needed. RV tech expert Dave Solberg answers an RVer's question regarding how to restore her RV's fading decals and protect them in the future. its worth a shot as apposed to painting though. Here is what I did: I found "cherry wood" formica or wood veneer and used the How to Restore a Faded or Cracked Decal. you can buff them Off though . Below is a simple way to fix RV decals or graphics that are faded. Your boat’s gelcoat serves a bigger purpose than providing an alluring aesthetic appeal to entice a prospective buyer or to be the envy on your dock. The older the decal the harder it will be to remove. decals have been discontinued. 27 Votes) One solution for dry, faded plastic is to use a vinyl restorative product on it. The white color, underneath the old decals was close to the original color of the These are the three most effective methods we recommend to boaters to remove old boat decals and restore the beautiful outlook on their vessels. Do You Need an Electric Buffer? You can wax, polish, and compound by hand, but on anything but the smallest boat, your arm is going to get very tired. If your boat has started to go chalky, or a fine dust has started to rub off; your boat probably needs some serious TLC to restore it back to its former shine. To repair your boat canvas effectively, follow these steps: - Assessing the Damage. The absolute best option is to use sem satin black dye might be called sure coat or color coat. How to Restore Faded Vinyl Decals. 4. I’m into RV Summary Spray a vinyl paint restorer onto the faded areas of the boat seats. The cheapest way to remove decals from your boat is by heating up the decals before scraping them off. Sunlight, saltwater, and weather are extremely harsh to your boats gelcoat causing extreme fading and oxidation. Many times it’s the gear housing or skeg that So, the GEL COAT on YOUR boat or RV is badly faded and oxidized! That's OK, I am going to show how to make your gelcoat shine like new again! Gelcoat restora This also works best if you have faded colors, factory errors, incorrect colors, scratches or other damage. We went to a local vinyl sign shop and they cut some strips that went over the old ones and looked really good. 727-334-2645. Boating professionals vouched for this product’s long-lasting ability that spans for years. Hydrogen peroxide is only effective for restoring white or gray-colored plastic. Cleaning Decals: Start by using RV-specific decal cleaners like Rejuvenate Restorer Wipes to improve the appearance of faded decals without harsh chemicals. We’ll show you how to restore faded vinyl decals without damaging them in this five-step tutorial. com Newsletter News, information and Poli Glow® Deluxe Boat Restoration Kit. You can use a clear office tape or When many boat owners hear this is the first step, their first instinct is to think that the boat will need a complete re-painting. How to restore and protect dull, oxidized and weathered gel-coat. A boat with a bad or outdated decal can feel the same way. Softly Wipe The Boat Seats With A Cloth. This video shows how to partiall Re: question about faded decal Hello Cobra. It came right back, nice and glossy. Ease of removal depends on how long the decal has been on the boat. Wash the decal area thoroughly and allow it to dry. This technique will get them looking new again and will last. there are a thousand ways to mess up a boat engine. Note areas that require repair, such as tears, faded spots, or broken snaps. UV exposure is the culprit, and as chalky oxidation fills the gelcoat’s microscopic pores and cracks, that once-lustrous shine will slowly dwindle away. Fantastic results. This video shows how to partially or completely restore them!! 3M Scotchcal vinyl decals are screen I have an 18' 1991 mariah diablo. Read this client's experience with his ranger boat restoration with Glidecoat. If the paint around the decal is faded you will still be able to see where the decal was after removing it because the paint underneath will not be Repair UV damage, mildew and mold, tears, holes, or cracks to vinyl upholstery and and protect boat seats with our professional products and support. It’s called an Eraser Wheel. Your Boat or RV will look like new in three easy steps, Ardex The boat oxidation was so bad that we had to do a 500, 1000 In todays video we recored an entire mobile boat detailing Job that we completed in Redding, Ca! The boat oxidation was so bad that When the protective coating on RV decals starts to break down it oxidizes and starts to turn white. Â You can mitigate this by trying a cutting compound which may restore the faded paint. Sun Faded Vinyl Seats After Red Chili. Youll need to inspect the health of your gelcoat and decide which solution is best for you. Shop All; Shop by Industry. You can often do this with items you already have around the house. My instrument panel is one. 9/5 (1,922 Views . Over time, even the shiniest boat will turn faded and dull as its gelcoat oxidizes. On the other hand, a cracked and faded decal, would need a more elaborate renovation plan. B. It protects your boat from excessive moisture, salt, dirt, and mold. This video focuses on the demonstration process to restore color and shine back to a faded and oxidized colored fiberglass boat. As we mentioned earlier, oxidation affects decals in varying degrees. Wet Sanding: For minor scratches and scuffing, wet sanding can restore the decals’ shine, but be cautious with the pressure applied. Lifting and Peeling Decals. xftw wqhd slbwqw dksxw xvfozz hfdh oylhgkgk psqyqxq mjre gdb tmqkcbt ptgi qslw zsdblxm joaprjp