"Graphics Eraser" or similar?

J

JoeBTB

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I'm trying to remove the name decal from the transom of my boat, and it is going painfully slowly. I'm working with a hairdryer and plastic scraper, but it took me over an hour just to remove a single letter (the letters are really big).

I remember reading here about a drill attachment, called "graphics eraser" if I remember right... can't find it in the archive. Can anyone tell me where to find such a beast? Like most of my projects, I try to save $$ early, but by mid-way through the project I'd pay five times the original amount for an easier solution ;-)
 
Thought I'd post a update on this topic. I finally removed the shrinkwrap over the weekend and put the graphics tool to use. What a difference! Don't get me wrong, it was still work. But TONS easier than a hairdryer and scraper.

I had two "stripe removal tools" from 3M -- a 4" and a 6". I found the 4" a bit easier to work with, the 6" seemed to flop around a little too much. That said, when I could control the 6" wheel, it worked faster. (I had a LOT of decal to remove, covering most of the transom.) I was using a 1200 RPM drill, which is slower than their recommendation. Maybe an airtool would be better. It also left behind some smearing and residue, but a little acetone took that right up. Overall, I definitely recommend it over scraping.

BTW, after all the searching, it turns out that BoatFix carries these things. It was just a matter of knowing the right name / part number:

Stripe Removal Tool
 
Joe,
Thanks for the link! I may order one of those. Do they wear quick or do they last? I just want to take the pinstripes off my boat. Does anyone recommend any of the tools listed on that boatfix page?
 
They do wear, but not that quickly. For pinstripes, a single 4" disk would probably do it. Don't forget to order the holder, part number MMM 07500. And wear safety glasses and long sleeves -- I was covered with bits of decal by the time I was done.
 
I used a wheel that was all in one with no seperate holder, I think it was a 3M wheel. Looked like a big eraser... Used on a variable speed drill after the compressor I was using could not keep up with the air tool. The drill worked very well. I bought the wheels from an autobody supply shop, but can be found in many outlets on the web as well, or the version at BoatFix. I "de-striped" my entire boat so it took a few of the wheels to get it done, but made it very easy.
 
I just got my first pontoon boat and was wondering if this tool would work on the sides of it, or would it damage the aluminum? We bought an older boat and are fixing it up. We would like to remove the old pinstripes and name on the boat and put some new ones on.

Thanks in advance!
Justin
 
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