New Member SF BAY Area

HI, I just bought a Marine Trader 34 from my brother who bought it to live on but never fixed it up. Its in pretty good shape. Needs a bit of Love and Varnish. Previous owner left blue tape on for 3 years. Any tips on removing the tape? Its become one with the boat. I can fix just about anything so its going to be a fun project. I am looking forward to reading up on these boats here. Happy New Year to all!

Todd H
Petaluma CA

Hi, Todd. A few of us keep our boats in Vallejo. We travel to your stomping grounds (Petaluma turning basin) at least once a year. Good to have you as a member!

customcraftedpools said:

HI, I just bought a Marine Trader 34 from my brother who bought it to live on but never fixed it up. Its in pretty good shape. Needs a bit of Love and Varnish. Previous owner left blue tape on for 3 years. Any tips on removing the tape? Its become one with the boat. I can fix just about anything so its going to be a fun project. I am looking forward to reading up on these boats here. Happy New Year to all!

Todd H
Petaluma CA

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Hi Todd - Welcome aboard. By blue tape I guess you mean painters tape... or is it duct or thin plastic?? Usually a hair dryer does the trick with GooGone stick-um remover for residue.

Happy Boat-Luv Daze - Art

Yeah, Petaluma! A nice visit at the turning basin, coordinating with the tides and the D Street Bridge.

Wonder how the current heavy rains might have turned the Petaluma Slough into a river with the accompanying changes to its bottom.

markpierce said:

Wonder how the current heavy rains might have turned the Petaluma Slough into a river with the accompanying changes to its bottom.

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I imagine the flow hugs the west side, trying to undermining the old railroad tracks. Maybe we'll get a bit of scouring of sediments under the wharf where we tie up (shown in your photo in #4).

Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on the new boat.

Ted

Greetings,
Welcome aboard. Blue tape? Mr. A's suggestion of mild heat and a plastic scraper should do the trick and cause minimum damage. You might also try a variety of solvents for the adhesive residue (acetone, toluene, xylene, iso-propyl/methyl alcohol, paint thinner/varsol or even WD-40) but keep in mind some of these solvents will damage painted or varnished surfaces AND are not the best for inhalation. ALL are flammable!! All should be pretty safe for gelcoats. Be patient. You may have to soak the adhesive to soften it.

For using toluene as RT suggests I recommend rubber gloves. That is great stuff, but caustic as hell. CA outlawed sale of toluene years ago. B-12 Chemtool [NAPA carries it] some how has been able to keep toluene as an ingredient inside CA. Nevada I think sells straight toluene. That stuff dilutes nearly any remaining coating. 1971 while working in a fiberglass new boat builder in Maine... we used toluene by the 55 gallon drum. Be sure to not inhale fumes - not good!!

GooGone I mentioned post #3 is easy to use and gentle stuff. I recommend wetting single sheet of good quality paper towel with it and firmly press it on surface to be cleaned. Let set for 30 or more minutes, then with same towel simply rub off the sticky stuff. May take a couple tries.

Greetings,
Mr. A. Toluene is NOT caustic. It is simply a VERY good degreaser and as such will easily remove all the natural oils from your skin thus encouraging skin cracking. Plus it and other solvents are readily absorbed through the skin and can lead to liver/neurological damage. I agree with the glove suggestion but try to get gloves that are solvent proof/resistant. Nitrile possibly?

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. A. Toluene is NOT caustic. It is simply a VERY good degreaser and as such will easily remove all the natural oils from your skin thus encouraging skin cracking. Plus it and other solvents are readily absorbed through the skin and can lead to liver/neurological damage. I agree with the glove suggestion but try to get gloves that are solvent proof/resistant. Nitrile possibly?

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RT - Not meaning to be "caustic" in my reply!

caus·tic -</SPAN>ˈkôstik/

adjective
1. 1.
able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action.
"a caustic cleaner"
synonyms:
corrosive, corroding, abrasive, mordant, acid
"a caustic cleaner"

2. 2.
sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.
"the players were making caustic comments about the refereeing"
synonyms:
sarcastic, cutting, biting, mordant, sharp, bitter, scathing, derisive, sardonic, ironic, scornful, trenchant, acerbic, abrasive, vitriolic, acidulous
"a caustic comment"

Soooo.... RT - Like said before... we used toluene by the 55 gal drum in a fiberglass new boat builders' factory. In my opinion, having had it bother my skin many times, toluene is caustic. Maybe I have an allergy??? But, that stuff messed up my hands without gloves on.

Welcome aboard! I also have a Marine Trader. Alcohol is my best friend on "sticky" stuff!

Donna said:

Welcome aboard! I also have a Marine Trader. Alcohol is my best friend on "sticky" stuff!

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Donna - Although your last avatar was good... this is better!!

Also alcohol, best friend... sticky stuff... I'll go no further. LOL

Art said:

Donna - Although your last avatar was good... this is better!!

Also alcohol, best friend... sticky stuff... I'll go no further. LOL

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Why thank you Art! This pic was taken 3 days ago!

Um, yea, about my wording on alcohol and "sticky" stuff, I probably could have worded that wee bit better!!!

Welcome Todd. I read through all the posts (agree with Art on Donna's avatar) and Todd we do not have a picture of your boat!!! Pic please. Bunch of old guys here who enjoy boat porn.. Lots of good info here on TF......