Will Sticker Removal leave "Shadowing"?

New to me 2012 R25SC has spent 6 years in the MS sun. I would like to remove the "Miss Charlotte" stickers on both the port and starboard sides however I fear the sun may have created permanent shadowing that will remain after the stickers are gone. I'm not really worried about the glue residue, with enough elbow grease I'm sure it will come off. I'm worried about the long term effects of the sun leaving a permanent "Miss Charlotte" shadow on the hull.
Any advice is appreciated
PS - I have pics but can't seem to find the correct procedure to post.

What color is the hull? I ask because I suspect dark colors will be more challenging. Generally I have found when I remove old decals there are two things to deal with. One is the area under the decal is not oxidized and the gelcoat is harder than the surrounding areas that have been subjected to long term sun exposure. The second problem is color, the sun exposed areas will likely be lighter than the decal covered places. I have not tackled a dark blue hull and need to do this on my own tug. In the past I have started with 1000 grit wet or dry paper and wet sanded the hard areas flat where the decals were using a rubber sanding block, then shifted to wet sanding with 1500 grit paper on a block. Then using an electric buffer polished the enter area with color restorer. I would suggest leaving the area you have worked for a few weeks so the sun can do some bleaching of the newly exposed areas before you apply new decals. If anyone has any better ideas I look forward to hearing them.

I removed the PA stickers when we ‘adopted’ the Shearwater. Four years later, you can read the numbers clearly when she is due for compounding and waxing.

The numbers disappear when the Hull is waxed to new looking.

The Hull is Claret Red, looks brand new right now,


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

Old time tugs often used a carved nameplate mounted on the hull (see below). You could design a classic looking vinyl graphic that covers the offending area should you not be able to remove the shadowing.
Ed/
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bigdealsam":w88lgoxg said:

PS - I have pics but can't seem to find the correct procedure to post.

Click to expand...

Getting a User Photo Album for your Ranger Tug is easy but it requires submitting a request from within the site structure.

1. Sign on to the site. You’re probably signed on if you’re reading this.

2. Select the User Control Panel link from the upper left corner of any page. Note: On the home page, this link is in your user menu in the upper right.

3. Click the Usergroups tab, then select the radio button next to the User Albums group.
Scroll down, choose "Join selected" in the drop-down menu, and click the Submit button.

Once you do this, an email is automatically sent to the administrator (me). That message will trigger my ability to approve your request, and you'll receive an email indicating your membership in the User Albums group has been activated.

I'll watch for the message, and look forward to seeing your pictures.

Happy New Year,

Bruce

Bigdealsam
I would try No7 rubbing compound, carried at most hardware stores for under $5.00 you will need a little bit of grease found between the shoulder and wrist joints. Work the area around the removed lettering to bring faded area back to luster. This should please the sea God's for the renaming of your new vessel.
Fair winds and following seas! Bob

Bruce Moore":335qtk6o said:

bigdealsam":335qtk6o said:

PS - I have pics but can't seem to find the correct procedure to post.

Click to expand...

Getting a User Photo Album for your Ranger Tug is easy but it requires submitting a request from within the site structure.

1. Sign on to the site. You’re probably signed on if you’re reading this.

2. Select the User Control Panel link from the upper left corner of any page. Note: On the home page, this link is in your user menu in the upper right.

3. Click the Usergroups tab, then select the radio button next to the User Albums group.
Scroll down, choose "Join selected" in the drop-down menu, and click the Submit button.

Once you do this, an email is automatically sent to the administrator (me). That message will trigger my ability to approve your request, and you'll receive an email indicating your membership in the User Albums group has been activated.

I'll watch for the message, and look forward to seeing your pictures.

Happy New Year,

Bruce

Click to expand...

Done. Thanks Bruce.

bob daily":1nc2q96p said:

Bigdealsam
I would try No7 rubbing compound, carried at most hardware stores for under $5.00 you will need a little bit of grease found between the shoulder and wrist joints. Work the area around the removed lettering to bring faded area back to luster. This should please the sea God's for the renaming of your new vessel.
Fair winds and following seas! Bob

Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I'll give er a go when weather is warm enough. Much appreciated. Sam

I removed the vinyl lettering on the stern of my claret red 2013 C28 and there was a significant shadow. I recently wet sanded, compounded, polished and waxed the hull. Its much improved but you can still see it if you know where to look.

“Our Journey” is the third name for our 2009 RT25 Classic. The original name, “Patriot”, is still somewhat visible despite lots and lots of rubbing and polishing compound. I see it because I know where to look.
The original name was on the boat’s dark blue hull for the first four years. We put the new name’s graphics over the original “Patriot” graphics which helped to hide the shadow. Oddly our boat’s second name, which was in place for two years, did not leave any shadow after the rubbing compound treatment.

bob daily":n4usq732 said:

Bigdealsam
I would try No7 rubbing compound, carried at most hardware stores for under $5.00 you will need a little bit of grease found between the shoulder and wrist joints. Work the area around the removed lettering to bring faded area back to luster. This should please the sea God's for the renaming of your new vessel.
Fair winds and following seas! Bob

Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I purchased no 7 compound and will commence to rubbing soon. I appreciate the advice. Sam

Update - Stickers now removed from both the port and starboard. Also removed the state required registration numbers from both sides as well as "Coldwater MS" from the stern.

Shadowing is absolutely present however I intend to give her a good coating of No.7 compound over the holiday.

Thanks to all for the advice.

Sam

Sam
I forgot to tell you that a little bit of alcohol on the side will make the job a lot more tolerable and you will want to send mom to the hardware store for a second can, as you'll wind up doing the whole boat and a bottle of Meguiar's cleaner wax to Finnish off with!
Good luck Shipmate. Bob

bob daily":2wntf86r said:

Sam
I forgot to tell you that a little bit of alcohol on the side will make the job a lot more tolerable

Click to expand...

I guess that would be "rubbing alcohol" 😀

Be careful how you use that rubbing compound with a buffer, don't get too aggressive or you will damage the gelcoat. I think you will always see the shadowing for a long time.
I use the 3M Rubbing Compound, followed by 3M Finesse IT followed by Collonite boat wax on my blue hull. Takes time but when it's done she looks almost new and she is 9 years old tomorrow.

Brian B":3w13w3ii said:

Be careful how you use that rubbing compound with a buffer, don't get too aggressive or you will damage the gelcoat. I think you will always see the shadowing for a long time.
I use the 3M Rubbing Compound, followed by 3M Finesse IT followed by Collonite boat wax on my blue hull. Takes time but when it's done she looks almost new and she is 9 years old tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Good thought Brian! I might start with a little hand rub before using the buffer. Hoping for a couple of decent weather days to get going on it. Much appreciated. Sam