highlights of old decals

what is the best way to get out the highlights old decals leave?

Depending on how bad they are. Try to just buff(variable speed buffer)and a fine compound. If that does not work a little wet sanding and then buffing.

Rhett, Yea you will probably have to wet sand and buff them out. I used to have an older sanger that I took the old decals off and put the newer ones on and the guy doing the boat for me had to wet sand them otherwise you could see the outline of the old ones. It came out real nice though. Good luck

i figured i would have to wet sand. buffing didnt do it. tony did you try bringing the gel around the decals up to the same level? i have a 95.

Just wet sanded it , buffed and waxed the crap out of it, buffed some more. It was a pretty big area to do so most of it was re-done.

I just went through this issue today. What a pain in the butt.

This is my first wetsanding experience. I took my decals off of my 86 nautique and i tried buffing, then tried 600 grit sandpaper and wasn't making progress so I got 320 and went with that.

I hate doing it but the results are amazing. This picture is really poor lighting. It was about 630 when I finished up this part.

Here is also a picture of the before.

sorry heres my pics

Eric, That came out nice. Great job.

Eric, really nice. what grit did you end on after the 320? im guessing you used 3m wax or something close to it. did you go with a rotary buffer?

This is why my next boat will be WHITE with no DECALS.

Thanks guys. Its not perfectly brand new looking, but its damn good for 23 years old. When you look REALLY close you can see the scratch marks from the sand paper. But too the touch its smooth as glass.

I did 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, heavy duty rubbing compound, 3m imperial compound, starbright polish, and then 3m liquid wax.

I try not to curse on these forums but the F-word just wants to come screaming out when I talk about wetsanding. If the results weren't so amazing id never ever do it.

I am going to try and finish up the rest of my boats red with that same procedure. And then the white on the sides will get HD compound, light compound, polish and waxed. But the top deck is going to get 600 grit and up to bring back the shine.

I had the 01 Wakesetter decals on my white boat. After about 2 years I took them off and they left the shiney part where they were. I've buffed and polished and am now thinking wetsanding may be the answer. But after reading this I'm afraid my arms may fall off from doing it on the entire side of the boat (twice).

IF I ever get a new boat again, the stickers are coming off as soon as it shows up in my driveway.

I'm almost thinking a wrap would be better than wetsanding but they're kinda pricey.

finesse-it is a great polish that should get anything the compound leaves behind. expensive but worth it imo.

looks great. great workout i'm sure.

i have a wrap on mine but it seems to be an ongoing battle with scratches or tears. the other option is going with barney purple and teal that was rockin mid 90s.