I bought an out of state boat and I have to put the new ID number for my state on the boat.  The previous own had painted their ID # over the gel coat.  Anybody have any good ideas as to what to take the paint off with that won't harm the gel coat?

I doubt that paint remover would harm the gel coat.  You can try acetone or lacquer thinner for starters.  Gel coat is impervious to just about anything except some acids, and ultraviolet rays from the sun.

 

It would help to know what type of paint you want to remove.  You can even try paint stripper.  I doubt that it would touch the gel coat, but you'd be wise to test a small, less noticable, area first.  Use a Q tip and put a little on the paint that covers the ID number.  As soon as it shows signs of bubbling or wrinkling wipe it off. 

 

Be sure to wear protective gloves, and safety goggles. 

Acetone won't harm the gel.  I use it a lot on my boat.  I'd try a small area with it and see how it works.  You may need to use rubbing compound and a buffer to get everything off and shining again.

Acetone will work fine. When I worked at a boat company that's what we used.  If it was on for any amount of time you may see the discoloration of the gel coat around the numbers due to exposed gel coat versus the paint protected gel coat.  If this is the case compounding may be necessary.