decals and pin striping opinions
 

I bought a 1988, V20 sport fish (DC) a year ago. Didn't know anything about wellcraft, I just thought the boat seemed solid for the year and I like the layout for striper fishing. I've really fallen in love with the boat. I've done some minor restorations along with buffing and waxing inside and out. Boat looks good, but the decals and pin striping are beat up. I bought the heated razor thing from harbor freight and was only going to replace the "W" and Wellcraft decal.

My question is do you think I would lose that classic look without the pin striping. How hard is it to put pin striping on and have it look professional. Is there anywhere that sells the pin striping that would be all lined up on one roll, or do I have to put each stripe on individually?

I don't know if it's Wellcraft OEM striping, but I do know that on eBay there are a few vendors that sell boat striping kits. I've seen some that were all one piece or tape, with one fat and two skinny stripes on the single tape. Available in various colors.

As to your question about how hard is it, I'd have to say that like any other job, you get out what you put into it. Clean the hull completely where you want to put the stripes, then just take your time, measure out and mark with a dry erase pen where you want the stripes to go, and apply them. {Have a soft sponge and a squeege with you to smooth out any air bubbles from under the tape}.

Oh, and since I must have missed your 2 previous posts, welcome to the site. :beer:

Hey SteelyTom, are you the same steelytom striper fisherman from the Charleston Fishing forum?

Welcome to the site.

welcome aboard...any pictures of your boat???? I mite have a few of mine ....I'll check:head:

Yes, the same one from Lake Murray. No pics here at work, but I'll post some later. I found a 150' roll of wellcraft pin striping for $58. I don't need 150', but I want the blues to match the decals.

I guess remove the old, clean with acetone and then put on the new. I'll have to watch some youtube videos. I might try without pin striping and see how it looks.

I guess remove the old, clean with acetone and then put on the new. I'll have to watch some youtube videos. I might try without pin striping and see how it looks.[/QUOTE]

I have a really good friend who has worked fiberglass all his life and he don't ever put acetone on fiberglass/gelcoat unless you want it to develop cracks.
Something (I can't remember his exact words) about it will screw it up.

Glad I asked, Thanks. Rubbing alcohol I guess? or will it stick to a fresh waxed surface?

Plain soap and water at first, then alcohol is the liquid of choice just before application.

Whe applying the new tape, you wanna get as straight a line as possible which is done by pulling the tape tight as you go...be sure not STRETCH the tape as you pull it straight as it will eventually shrink and crack prematurely...tight, but no stretch...the good news is you'll have the "shadow" of the old tape to follow when applying the new...

Coming off the very leading edge of the bow is the tricky part...look on YouTube for tutorial on how to do that...when yer done, I may wanna buy your leftover tape...

then I will take what you have left over when you are done

IMO...I don't believe stripes. decals, etc add any classic style to these boats at all...go to the gallery and look at Pipe Dream's redone '84...as CLASSIC as it gets...some like boot-stripes and decals and graphics and I'm glad for them all those things are available...it allows them to individualize their boat...THAT'S what I believe in...and for me, I like 'em nekkid...:clap:

Just adding some pics. I have put on a 98 Evinrude 200hp salt water motor since.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...erman2/V20.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rman2/V202.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...09-07_fish.jpg

Steely, that's a nice looking V. I always enjoy your striper reports on the other board. Glad to have you over here....

they make a spray that you spray on the hull before you put the striping on it, it allows you to move it around, or even pull it off till you get it like you want. I've all ways just used a little soapy water in a spray bottle, you could use the stuff they sell for tinting windows as well. One trick is to tape the striping to the starting point with masking tape, make sure you didn't spray and stuff where the masking tape is sticking, that way you can pull it out a bit to get it straight

I really like the look of the V20 Sportfish,now I want one to go with my cuddy.

Thanks for the compliments, I really like the boat too. I bought it for $3200 thinking it would be a boat to hold me over for two years till I can afford something new. But it is so solid and it is now reliable with the newer motor, I don't see myself getting rid of it anytime soon. When I took the motor off the transom wood in the bolt holes looked like the transom was brand new. The floor was solid except for the hatch over the gas tank, but that was easy to replace. Put all new fuel lines on while i had it open. I feel like I should be good for quite a while.