In order to remove the existing vinyl name and hailing port without
damaging the gel coat you'll need a hand-held hair dryer and a plastic
ice scraper. DO NOT USE A METAL SCRAPER.
Hold the hair dryer about 6" from the surface and set to the
low heat setting. Slowly move the nozzle of the hair dryer back and
forth while gently lifting the edge of the vinyl by applying only light
pressure.
The heat from the dryer softens the vinyl but if too much heat
is applied, the vinyl will melt and leave a scorch mark on the gel coat.
After the name has been removed, the area will have to be polished in order to even out the color of the gel coat.
To remove the old adhesive from the boat use "Goo Remover" or
any adhesive remover which can be purchased at Walmart, K-Mart or
Target. Use this BEFORE the rubbing compound. It there is a
discoloration from the old name, rub out with rubbing compound and DO
NOT WAX area prior to name installation. You may wax over the name
after it has been installed about a week.
If there is a wax barrier between the adhesive on the vinyl
and the gelcoat, it does not allow the adhesive to bite into the
surface and make a permanent bond. people who say the name does not
stick have not removed all the wax properly!!