[BigLew]

Welcome aboard there Captain! My, aren't we (our boats' reputation that is), getting around!

My thoughts on breaking down the paint are, in general, start mild and then go up from there. Naptha (lighter fluid) to start or alcohol. proceed to mineral spirits and turpentine. Lacquer thinner, acetone and then I believe it is xylothane (sp) or is it toluxene(sp) from there. The last two are the active ingredient in paint brush restorer products and it is nasty stuff- neoprene gloves, etc. I recommentd taping off the area to try and contain the damage to the surronding finish. Don't be affraid to use some steel wool in the process. Just work it to remove the surface paint and not the under layers anymore than you have to. Depending on what's on there, paint remover and a sharp scraper may work as well. This process only depends on softening the paint rather than getting it to the point of it wanting to drip or wipe off.

If push comes to shove, and it very well might, start with 100 grit sand paper on a block and take it down. At some point you will get through the surface products with only paint in the stampings of the HIN numerals and then you should be able to read it at that point. Try everything else before taking this route. If you sand through the numbers, they are lost forever!

Good luck.

Just me 2 cents.