REMOVING SAIL NUMBERS/LETTERS
Sail numbers and letters are made from adhesive-backed polyester cloth. On some of the newer sails;1996 and after, you can remove the letters first and then clean off the minor glue residue. The only way you will know is to try and remove the numbers first and see how easily they come off. Some of the older sail numbers and adhesive are hard to remove. These are usually pre 1994 sails or older though some 96 - 99 sails will require the extensive method using solvent to remove the letters/numbers. The peeling of the numbers off the older sails will leave a sticky residue of adhesive on the sail. This residue should be removed since it will pick up any dirt and other substances and leave the sail looking worn and dirty.
Working area - You should work on the removal of the numbers/letters in a well-ventilated area. Choose an area that is a flat clean surface. Use a plastic sheet at least 3'x 3' or plain unmarked cardboard making sure the surface will not scratch the sail.
Materials:
Trash can/plastic trash bag – The trash will be sticky.
Solvent – 3M General Adhesive Remover, Goo Gone, MEK, lacquer thinner, mineral turpentine, solvents containing Toluene or containing Xylene. Acetone can be used but is not recommended on Dacron. Nylon (spinnakers) should be treated more carefully than Dacron. Cleaner’s benzene can be used, but it is dangerous and hard to obtain. Paint thinner and gasoline work although they will leave an oil stain in some cases. The solvent should not adversely affect the sailcloth as long as you do not scrape too long or too hard. Two or three applications and some serious rubbing and scraping may be necessary no matter what you use.
Paper towels/wiping cloths – You’ll need allot.
Scrappers – Use plastic or wood. The scraper should be free of sharp edges.
Procedure:
● Note location of current numbers/lettering. - Use a pencil to mark a line under the existing numbers/ letters. Mark the distance of the last number/letter from the leech. Make sure as you work that you do not remove the marks and lose your reference points.
● Peeling - Only work on one side of the sail at a time. Peel off all the numbers/letters first if you can. On many of the newer sails the numbers/letters will easily peel off. Then remove adhesive before proceeding to the other side. Some areas (mostly on older sails) will be difficult to remove so wipe some solvent on the sail numbers/letters. Be sure to leave the solvent to work in for a few minutes to work. Use a scrapper and remove any number/letter with gentle scrapping.
● Adhesive removal - Be sure to remove adhesive before proceeding to the other side of the sail. If the adhesive residue is hard to remove soak for 20-30 seconds with solvent and then use the scrapper. Group the adhesive residue into an area on the sail and take a paper towel or cloth to pick up the adhesive residue. Repeat this until all adhesive residue is removed from the sail. Soaking a paper towel with solvent will remove any remaining adhesive residue. Use this on small areas and try not to smear adhesive over the sail. When you are done there still may be a slight stickiness on the sail.
● Wash - Use a mild soapy solution and rinse thoroughly. Let the sail dry completely before storing it to avoid mildew.
● Apply new numbers - Put the new numbers on using the marks you made as a reference point. Be sure to apply according to the direction supplied by the sailmakers and according to your class rules as to size, contrast and placement.
● Eliminating any remaining stickiness - Use baby powder or talcum powder on any sticky areas. This will eliminate the stickiness. Do this after you have completed all number/letter applications. The baby powder or talcum powder will keep number/letter from sticking to the sail.
Additional References:
https://sailrite.wordpress.com/2014/04/ ... -insignia/source:
http://www.geocities.com/kc7cscow/clink ... movlet.htmNote: it has been suggested that a heat gun (carefully used) might aid in removing the numbers/letters.