New blue stripes

[windward1]

My blue stripes running the length on the hull just below the rub rail are not looking very good-mini cracks and scrapes. Has anyone put new stripes on their boat? How difficult a process is it? The boat is now on the hard and this may be a good project.

[dwarburton]

The hardest part will be removing the old stripe.
I just went through this when I removed an old name from our boat.

First you have to remove the vinyl stripe, which can be done by heating it with a heat gun (carefully) or a hair dryer, and slowly peeling it off.

Then the residual glue must be removed. 3M makes a very good adhesive remover, but it will still take time and scraping with a plastic scraper and and old towels. Look on the 3M website for more information.

Plan lots of time for this.... Also, A scaffold is handy, because it will allow you to work on a larger area without moving the ladder.

3M also makes a tool called a stripe-off wheel, I have not tried one on gel coat, which is softer than automotive paint.

Once the stripe is removed, there will be a ghost left on the gel coat, which you can use to align the new stripe.

Stripes can be purchased through Defender or other marine supply outlet.

To apply, mist the area with a water/detergent mix, before you lay the stripe down. This will enable you to move it slightly for a few hours after application. I would probably leave a foot dry at the end, to anchor the tape end, then lay it down 5 or 6 feet at a time, and stretching it slightly to make it straight.

[windward1]

Dave,

Thanks for the good ideas. I was worried about how to put the new stripe in a straight line in the correct location. You mentioned the ghost of the old stripe used as a guide which solves that issue. I was thinking of having to use some sort of a marking pen to trace along the old stripe before removing it, but that would probably come off with the adhesive remover.

Thanks again for the ideas.

[Pat T]

I always say this was the best, cheapest improvement I did on my boat. I had the tourqoise & blue stripes originally found on the 1995 models and didn't like it. I went to Catalina for new Catalina stripes of a different vintage. If I remember they were cheap or cheaper than other vendors.
As Dave says the hard part is removing the old stripes. And you are right to do the project on the hard. The nice thing about buying the two color stripe from Catalina is that both colors come on one roll so you apply both stripes at the same time so spacing is perfect. I aligned mine stripes with the portlights and then used a ruler and lead pencil to make tick marks on the hull to ensure correct location all along the sides. I measured down from the rub rail for these marks.

[windward1]

Pat,

Thanks for your techniques. What color did you chose? My 1994 has one single stripe of blue. A double stripe might dress it up more.

[Pat T]

Richard,
The stripes are blue & silver (or gray?). If you call Catalina I'm sure they can help as I think they were used over several years on several boats. I know my neighbor has them on his 350. Stripe thickness is 1 inch separated by 3/4 inch space. If you want I can send you a sample as I have a little left over.
Pat

[impag]

Pat,

Thanks for your techniques. What color did you chose? My 1994 has one single stripe of blue. A double stripe might dress it up more.

Pat,
I have 1994 36, #1339. It has a double stripe, royal blue and teal. I replaced it this past spring with a single tape, 2 stripes purchased from Catalina. bought 2 lenghts 40 ft long, used a little more than 30 ft. 36 feet would still be more than enough. The toughest part is getting it straight. It's ok up close, but not so good when you back up. We drew a reference line next to the original but at a certain distance it still appears wobbly.

John I--
s/v POOKA

[pierview]

I've replaced the stripes too and the other thing you have to be careful about is getting it perfectly straight. I thought I could just pull it out and it would naturally come off the roll in a straight line, but not so.

You'll need to mark down from the toe rail whatever the distance in short increments all around the boat and then apply the tape according to those marks. An extra pair of hands will probably help. If you don't do this, after you step back you'll notice that there will be a slight wave in the line that you wont notice close up.

Chuck Parker

[dejavu]

Gee, thanks guys. I was doing a great job of ignoring my fading stripe 'til you all chimed in. Now I have another project.:p

[deising]

Mike, you just need to tell people you have Williamsburg blue stripes, you know, the faded blue-gray color.

[windward1]

FYI. I recently put new stripes on my MK I hull. I could not match the Catalina blue with what WM had, but my local Catalina dealer had a old roll of blue over silver (see Pat T comment) which I ended up using. On the MK I about 5 inches below the rub rail the hull is indented. The two stripe tape fits nicely there and can be put on by eyeballing the bottom tape edge about 1/4 inches above this indentation. I put on about 3' at a time touching the tape very lightly until it was in the correct position. There is a bit of a learning curve in getting it on with no wrinkles.
Getting the old stripe off takes patience, a heat gun and a sharp scraper. The residue took me a long with rags and solvent. Some of the other comments offer good hints especially one suggesting putting a board between two ladders as a scaffold. The shiny new stripe does look pretty nice.