Removing decals from Merc cowlings...how hard

[Mr. Demeanor]

2002 engine. I think it would look better w/o the decals. How hard is it to get these off. I know that sometimes these things go easy and other times you half done wondering what the hell you were thinking. I'll probabaly wait for a nice hot sunny day fpr starters.

[The Big Al]

Use a heat gun or a blow dryer.


that will help.

Al

[Mr. Demeanor]

Ill try that for sure. I know sometimes heat makes the decal fall apart so you cant get a good peel. These look pretty thick though.

[bigbore]

big als the man thats the best thing you can do heat em up you know a heat gun is actually a handy tool i would recomend it theres a lot of things you can use them for i would go all out and get one instead of screwing around with a hair dryer,they arent that expensive anyway,just a few things i can think of off the top of my head is shrinkwraping for trailer wires and whatever else,heating up the block castings for your bearing chases for when ya rebuild your merc.could even use one to help loosen up some nuts and bolts.

[The Big Al]

I bought mine for some project, and I use it for all kinds of stuff.

I never thought about it. But I do.

I think I got it at Northern Tool. You find them in wholesale tool places cheep.

[dma251]

As time goes by the decals get harder and harder, the flexibility goes away. When you go to pick at a corner to remove then the decal will just break away.

Use the heat gun over the decal to gently warm the area you are going to attempt to peel up, and once it is warm/hot to the touch start peeling up a corner. It will be flexible to come up in pretty large sheets if not altogether.

Pay attention to how you are pulling/stretching the decal as it comes up so you don't tear it. If it tears, try to tear it in a way that leaves you with an easy corner to start lifting from again.

When you get them all up you will be left with adhesive residue on the cowling. I have had really good results with a product called GooGone from my local hardware store. It smells like oranges, and is a light-oil based natural product. A diaper with some googone and VERY gentle wiping will soften and dissolve the adhesive. It takes time and patience.

Sometimes around the edges of where the decal once was you will find a slight ridge of grime, wax, whatever. This took a little extra time with some 3M light finishing compound to remove. You might try one of those Magic Erasers or something like that too.

Good luck.

[rossi]

Also remember, your cowl may not look at all faded, but when you pull those decals off you'll relize it is. More than likely the paint under the decals will be darker.

[Mr. Demeanor]

I expect it will need a good buffing afterward. Its a black painted fiberglass cowl, not the black plastic. Ill start with one of the small decals like the hp and see how it looks.

[tj309]

When I got my new (used) boat I had to get the old numbers off to put my new ones on (different state). I used a Multipurpose Remover called Oops which I think I got at WalMart. Worked great.

[oh dear]

try wd40 to get the sticky stuff off once stickers removed

[triple dude]

Just throw some 80 grit on a circular grinder and have at it!!!! Heatguns are great but take some getting used to, especially for sensitive work. You might wanna stick with the hairdryer for this project. It'd be impossible to screw up. Oops and GooGone should both work for the left over residue. You're right that there will probably be a color change under the stickers. A buff might help???