I just got some used sails that are in pretty decent shape. However, they've got some lettering that seems to be glued on somehow that I'd like to remove. They seem to be Dacron material, or maybe vinyl?

Is there anything that'll dissolve the glue without fading or otherwise harming the Dacron sail?

i bought a new h17 sail last year and it had the h o b i e logo running vertical on it. i tried several things to remove the sail numbers and letters. acetone doesnt work at all and probably isnt good for the sail. there is that sticker remover you can get from the auto parts stores that works but who knows what is does to the long term life of the sail. since you have an old sail this probably isnt an issue. what i found that works is- peel off the existing decal, which will leave the sticky stuff behind, use an old cotton sock and just work it off in circles until it balls up in the sock. this is very labor intensive and will leave your finger tips raw! just go slow. i did just one letter a day. anyway, #100 is a cool number, maybe you should be happy with that?

Hi,
I haven't tried it myself, but I have a video from the Sailrite company that shows how they remove adhesive residue from sails. They use a product called "Goo Gone". They soak the area, cover it with a cloth or paper towel and soak that also. After it sits for a while (you'll have to experiment to see how long), the gunk will wipe off and roll up. A second application is needed sometimes.
Good luck,
Jack Hoying
Fort Loramie, Ohio
Prindle 18 #1645
http://www.bright.net/~jmhoying/sailing/prindle.htm

i have found that lighter fluid works great for removing all types of sticky adhesives (including the warranty sticker on a sony playstation). use lots because it evaporates quickly and be careful it burns like lighter fluid.

Try using a hair dryer. Somtimes when you heat it the adhiesve will stick to the decal and come off with it. 3M makes a product that removes the goo also. Find it at a auto paint supplier.

Mike