Painting Stripes?

[Paijo]

My boat came with both boot stripes and accent striping up on the pilot house as vinyl (I assume) decals. I'd like to remove at least the boot stripe this winter and paint one on. What sort of prep needs to happen to the glass to make this work? I am assuming a de-wax job and possibly other chemical or physical prep. Anyone out here have some advice? Thanks in advance.

[Ludicrous]

Dewax. I sand the whole stripe area with 800, then lay the fine line tape. Scotch brite inside your tape line with a 400-600 grit. Prime. Sand primer with 400. Mask out from the fine line tape, bag the whole boat to avoid overspray damage, shoot your $200.00 a pint paint with a $750.00 Sata spraygun in your $100,000.00 spray booth. Let paint dry, remove the masking, bag and tape. Sand the stripe area with 2000 then 3000 grit, compound, polish to a high gloss. Done. Professional doing this type of stripe himself at his costs, probably around $300.00.

Or you could do it the easy way with roll and tip method. In your driveway for about $90.00. Prep the same, lay out regular cheap 2 inch masking tape instead of the fine line. Ditch the primer. Roll out your West Marine paint while a buddy follows behind you with the brush tipping.

Edited August 13, 2009 by Ludicrous

[Paijo]

Thanks. I appreciate the sarcasm too. Seriously.

I was hoping to be more of a DIY owner and thought it would be something I could tackle without too much risk.