How to Replace Boat Stickers

Every year or two, boaters across the country agonize over putting the new state-issued registration stickers on their boat. Depending on how often the state issues a new registration sticker, and how long the boater has owned the boat, you can either put a new sticker over the old one, or remove the older sticker. Either way will work, however, you can't go wrong if you replace the sticker on your boat each time.

Things You'll Need

  • Heat gun
  • Putty knife
  • Clean rag
  • Acetone
  • Safety glasses
  • Respiratory protection
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Instructions

    • 1

      Heat the state registration sticker with a heat gun. Hold the heat gun between 6 and 7 inches from the sticker. Sweep it back and forth over the surface of the sticker.

    • 2

      Push a thin-blade putty knife under the edge of the sticker. Continue to heat the sticker as you do so, sweeping the heat gun from side to side.

    • 3

      Peel the sticker away from the side of the hull with the putty knife as the adhesive loosens. If the sticker tears, move the putty knife and continue to force the sticker away from the boat.

    • 4

      Pull the sticker away from the hull with your hand as soon as possible. Turn off the heat gun.

    • 5

      Scrub the area where the sticker was with a clean rag saturated with a solvent, such as acetone, to remove any adhesive remaining on the hull.