paint stripper vs gelcoat

[roadster02]

Can painted registration numbers be removed with paint stripper without harming the gelcoat? Tried laquer thinner, and that doesn't work well. I have read other postings that MEK and Acetone will damage the gelcoat, seen another post that recommended easy off oven cleaner, so figured paint stripper might be the ticket. I do not have a power polisher, and do not want to sand my boat, or "polish" the numbers off. Anybody have any experience here with stripper?

[mikeg205]

Acetone will not harm gel coat that I know of. It's actually recommended during cleaning when doing repairs.

http://www.evercoat.com/imgs/pis/gelcoat.pdf

[atihanyi]

old body shop trick-use oven cleaner it works very well

[JohnE]

Originally Posted by atihanyi

old body shop trick-use oven cleaner it works very well

Always used that to take lettering off my painted work trucks.

[JimN]

Originally Posted by mikeg205

Acetone will not harm gel coat that I know of. It's actually recommended during cleaning when doing repairs.

http://www.evercoat.com/imgs/pis/gelcoat.pdf

It can if it's in contact for a long time.

[wilhelmwake]

Paint stripper can be used and it won't damage the gelcoat...

[scott023]

Originally Posted by JohnE

Always used that to take lettering off my painted work trucks.

It certainly does the trick on vehicles, no doubt about that.

Why did the PO paint the reg on?

[mustangtexas]

When I bought my 1989 PS 190 it had painted on reg. since day one in Arkansas. I'm in Texas so I needed them off. I took the boat to a boat repair shop that did fiberglass work and they sanded, polished them off for $15. Easy.

[roadster02]

I have no idea why they would be painted on. Maybe the "cool" thing to do. Had to be expensive. It's just a pain in the --- for a new owner if the boat is going to a different state. Thanks for all the replies. I will go with the paint stripper applied with a brush to the letters only, backup will be some oven cleaner just in case.

[JohnE]

May want to heat the letters with a hair dryer. When stripping letters off of my work vans, it was always much easier on a hot summer day. Make sure you wear rubber gloves. I've never worked with acetone, but the oven cleaner burns a bit.