I've retired after 48 years in the boat lettering business. Just some suggestions here that may help. 1. Before you start, if you have an older transom there may be some oxidation that you will want to remove prior to adding the lettering. By using an electrical polishing buffer with pad and rubbing or polishing compound you can get a much better shine on the gelcoat and the lettering will stick much better. Polishing the transom by hand will work, however, you won’t be able to get a quality shine. Never use wax to polish the transom prior to installing the letters. Wax prohibits the letters from sticking. 2. (2:29) For mixing liquid soap and water I prefer using about a thimble of soap to a quart of water. It’s better to use too much soap than too little. When spraying don’t be stingy with the soapy water. After removing the paper backing HEAVILY SOAK the back of the letters AND the transom area before applying the lettering. 3. (3:21) When squeegeeing the letters start from the CENTER and work the squeegee up and down pushing the bubbles out and away from the letters. 4. I have always preferred the wet method. Using the dry method as shown here it’s possible to misalign the letters as you work the squeegee outwards. Also, with the wet method you’ll get minimal bubbles. With the dry method, you more than likely get bubbles and you only get one shot at it. So be careful.
Hi Ray Many thanks for your tips. You did a really professional job on the lettering on our Blackfin 33 back in 2009 in Galveston and they have lasted 11 years out here in tropical Africa. Billfish scratches means its time for a change!
Thanks for watching, Mary Grace. Good luck with your project. If you are looking for high quality custom boat graphics and/or lettering, BoatUS creates them in-house in our Virginia headquarters and offers valuable discounts for BoatUS Members. www.boatus.com/graphics
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I've retired after 48 years in the boat lettering business. Just some suggestions here that may help.
1. Before you start, if you have an older transom there may be some oxidation that you will want to remove prior to adding the lettering. By using an electrical polishing buffer with pad and rubbing or polishing compound you can get a much better shine on the gelcoat and the lettering will stick much better. Polishing the transom by hand will work, however, you won’t be able to get a quality shine. Never use wax to polish the transom prior to installing the letters. Wax prohibits the letters from sticking.
2. (2:29) For mixing liquid soap and water I prefer using about a thimble of soap to a quart of water. It’s better to use too much soap than too little. When spraying don’t be stingy with the soapy water. After removing the paper backing HEAVILY SOAK the back of the letters AND the transom area before applying the lettering.
3. (3:21) When squeegeeing the letters start from the CENTER and work the squeegee up and down pushing the bubbles out and away from the letters.
4. I have always preferred the wet method. Using the dry method as shown here it’s possible to misalign the letters as you work the squeegee outwards. Also, with the wet method you’ll get minimal bubbles. With the dry method, you more than likely get bubbles and you only get one shot at it. So be careful.
Hi Ray
Many thanks for your tips.
You did a really professional job on the lettering on our Blackfin 33 back in 2009 in Galveston and they have lasted 11 years out here in tropical Africa. Billfish scratches means its time for a change!
Thanks for the tips, Ray!
Hi Ray, what did you think about the business? I’m considering doing some boat lettering in addition to my neon sign business.
Ty very helpful. I ordered some boat letters! Good price too.
Thanks for watching, and thanks for your order, zofo!
Very nice sir , I hope I will learned that too.
Thanks for watching, Mary Grace. Good luck with your project. If you are looking for high quality custom boat graphics and/or lettering, BoatUS creates them in-house in our Virginia headquarters and offers valuable discounts for BoatUS Members. www.boatus.com/graphics
Great, just put my boat name on successfully !!
That is a scary way to do it! There are other methods!
Vinyl crap! Get a sign painter to do some real lettering.