Removing painted on bow numbers WITHOUT damaging or discoloring the aluminum hull?

[Darren Nemeth]

I have a classic Crestliner aluminum boat from the late 50s.

Many years ago someone painted the bow numbers.

Is there a way to remove this paint without damaging or discoloring the aluminum??

 

[fishrdan]

Lacquer thinner, or perhaps acetone?

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Will acetone etch the aluminum?

 

[fhhuber]

Yep... find the correct solvent.

But you are going to clean the aluminum therefore change its color (to new shiny metal)

I'd mask off the area to be cleaned in a controlled shape, then clean that and paint a background and the new markings.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you will see where the letters were simply because the rest of the paint had faded. even if you could remove the painted letters without touching the surface behind, you will still see the surface behind.

solvent will work to some extent, however you may still have to mechanically clean the surface with either a mild abrassive or something a bit stronger. your worried about damaging the aluminum - dont worry, short of sand blasting or hitting with a grinder, the aluminum surface will be fine.

if your intention is to repaint the area where the reg letters were, I would recommend repainting the whole boat. is your intention to clean the boat down to bare aluminum?

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd recommend using Xylol or Xylene. It will remove the paint and not damage aluminum at all. WEAR LATEX GLOVES!!! THIS stuff WILL EAT your skin!!!!! If you can soak a rag with it and get it to lay on the letters for a 10 mins or so they will dissolve right off.

 

[fishrdan]

Will acetone etch the aluminum?

Nope, but it may discolor it by removing some of the oxidation, polishing it, try an inconspicuous place and see what happens.. And as SD said, you'll probably be able to see where the letters were, shinier metal showing the numbers.

When I stripped the carpet adhesive from my aluminum boat, I stuck lacquer thinner soaked paper towels on the aluminum for 10 minutes then just wiped up the goop. Same thing with your boat, but more difficult as the paper towels will fall off if they are not held in place.

I would try lacquer thinner over acetone, won't evaporate as quick and I think it's more aggressive for lifting paint.