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RESTO 1998 SeaDoo Challenger 1800 Restoration Project

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Guest_User said:
took off from yard work today and got involved with stripping the decals off the boat. The Starboard side was easy, but the Port side was huge PITA, wow... anyways I pulled an RJ and took off the 90`s purple decals...

I guess I`ll be looking into some resto on the hull and trying to bring back it`s luster... God help me.
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Looks good! Soooo much better now that it doesn't look like a paint truck crashed into the sides of your boat.
 
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Any tricks from PRP on removing decals? Or just a razor and patience?
 
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Guest_User said:
I`ve always used a little heat from a heat gun to warm the decal so it is pliable and softens the adhesive. Now that worked great for all of the Starboard side graphics. However on the Port side all was going well with the front upper bow portion and the upper forward rear portion until about 1/2 way back, then it went crazy, coming off in little slivers. More heat made it worse as it would tear easily. I`m going to GUESS that this boat had more sun on this side in it`s lifetime to bake the decals.

The Port SeaDoo/Challenger 1800 decal was a nightmare the whole way thru and did not pull off like the other side did in sections...

so now it became a combination of glass cleaner, a razor blade making sweeps horizontally along bewteen the decal and the hull holding the razor blade flat against the hull as to not gouge the gelcoat. when the decals needed heat to assist and left that gooey adhesive, just take a hand full of ice from the freezer and rub over the decal glue for a bit, then take your blade and remove, make sure the hull stays wet, and it is a flat surface with no real contour changes. It took 2x longer to do the Port side... so you`ll need plenty of patience.:lols::facepalm:

I almost got all the starboard side graphics off in a few pulls, just keep you fingers close to the hull as you move along and don`t stretch the decals causing them to break, you then be able to get a good length off without trying to peal the edge up again...

I don`t have a direct answer bc some decals are easier/harder than others, especially ones that have been on for an eternity...
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Because You did such a great job of removing the decals from your boat, I'm thinking the next trip I make to Chapel Hill to see my oldest Daughter, I will bring my boat and let you peel all the decals off. :lols::rofl:...just kidding. Seriously, we need to get together with the boats and cruise the waters where you live. Looks like a blast. I sometimes bring a water toy when I visit N.C.

Jesse
 
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Guest_User said:
where is RJ!:willy_nilly::rofl:

well I`m going to give it a shot! I also spoke with a Buddy who did detailing and these are some of the things I picked up to do the job.

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Sooo I started out just wanting to try this and got into it for a couple of hours. Man what a difference already. I didn`t even realize how oxidized the hull was and many many water spots. This should clean her up nicely...

When I`m done I`ll hit it up with a a good wax as well...:cheers:
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Nice! :thumbsup:
That wool pad should cut pretty aggressively.
I like to follow the wool with foam buffing and polishing pads. Cutting with the wool takes WAY longer than the follow-up passes.
I've never used Flitz, but I may try it if you like it.
Personally, I'm no fan of manual labor, but it is hard not to like the results you have from a good buffing on oxidized gel. :)

And BTW, Andy, the video of the boat idling... wow. Sounds great!
Maybe my wife will want to go visit her Father soon... so I can stop by for a ride. :)

Sorry. Been busy catching up on the stuff that I neglected while sucked in to the challenger project over the summer and have had to force myself NOT to work on the boat or check the forum much.
 
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Looking good Andy! How does the push mower do with the Pine mulch? Guess you might as well sell that.

Keep up the good work buddy!

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
 
Andy,
Did you suck something up through the jet pump, or did the impeller just let go??

There are other ways to fish rather than use a jet pump!! LOL Sorry man, I just couldn't resist.
 
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