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Paint stripper

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weluvlife
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166 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/19/2005 : 15:37:55

Hello,

A friend of mine suggested using a paint stripper instead of the sanding that I'm doing now. I have to remove sloughing paint in order to apply VC17M.

There are so many strippers out there, I'm at a loss as to which ones to try. I would like to remove the antifouling without removing any of the epoxy base paint.

What has worked for you??

Mark Eichman
Lake Don Pedro,CA
www.lakedonpedrosailingclub.org
'86 c25 TR, SK

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2005 : 16:14:31

There is no easy way to do a bottom job, unless you pay a yacht yard to do it for you.

I have used chemical paint strippers to strip a wide variety of different paints from the bottom and keel on two boats, and can't think of any type of paint that paint strippers won't remove, including Interlux 2-part barrier coat and VC Tar. Paint strippers will remove bottom paint as thoroughly as any method I know, and I haven't seen any evidence that they damage the gel coat, and they'll leave the gel coat practically as smooth as new. But, a special paint stripper is made for use on fiberglass, and I haven't had any luck in finding it at Lowes or Home Depot or the various discount marts. The best place I have found to get it is from stores that <u>specialize</u> in selling automotive paints and related supplies. (Most ordinary auto parts stores also don't usually sell it.) It's used to strip paint from Corvettes and other fiberglass bodied cars. Don't use the stuff that is used for general paint removal purposes. It's too aggressive and will damage the gel coat. Also, many paint stripper cans have pictures of boats on their labels, but that doesn't mean they are safe to use on fiberglass boats. Read the label. If the text on the label says it's safe to use on fiberglass, then it should be ok.

The key to using paint strippers is to brush them on, and be patient. Let the chemicals do their work. Before they get dry, brush on another coat and wait. Keep the paint wet with stripper. Scrape a small area of the paint occasionally, to see if it's loosening the paint. When it is loosened over a widespread area, then scrape it off with a sharp scraper.

There are other types of paint strippers that are apparently less labor intensive, but people who have used them say they are proportionately much more expensive.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 10/19/2005 16:23:23

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2005 : 16:55:38

Although I haven't used [url="http://www.dumondchemicals.com/paint_remover.htm"]Peel Away Marine Strip II[/url], they claim it won't remove the epoxy barrier coat.

<i>PEEL AWAY MARINE STRIP II is an alternative to PEEL AWAY MARINE SAFETY STRIP when you are removing bottom paint and the epoxy barrier coat is to be left intact. This product will remove multiple layers of bottom paint in ONE application, but will not effect the barrier coating, so you can repaint without the need to re-epoxy. Coverage is 20 sq. feet per gallon</i>

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2005 : 21:17:23

Peel away supposedly works, but I wouldn't bank on anything else and would be very hesitant to bet on it either.

We tried all that environmentally friendly stuff and other strippers this year. We wasted a full day on it and still wound up sanding.

In the words of my co-owner Harvey, If the paint stripper don't take the hair off my B@#$@#$, singe my eyes and leave me sterile for a few weeks, then there's no way its taking crap off the bottom....we should have sanded from the get go.

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weluvlife
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166 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2005 : 12:33:06

Hahaha.....very good advice. Thank you for your suggestions as well.
I definately have some more to ponder. In the mean time, I'll continue sanding :)

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2005 : 13:16:26

The answer to your question partially depends on what you want to accomplish. Are you prepping your boat for cruising and general daysailing, or are you prepping it to race? If you want to race seriously, then you should take off all the old antifouling paint, so you will have the smoothest bottom possible. If you're just prepping it for general sailing and cruising, and beer can racing, then a good sanding will suffice.

When I bought my C&C 35 last spring the old bottom paint was pretty rough. The marina didn't want me to use strippers on the whole bottom (although they did allow me to use them just for the keel). I started using a power sander, and the progress was very slow. A pro bottom painter suggested I use some very coarse, round, green 9" sanding disks that are sold by West Marine. They have adhesive on the back. You fold them in half and they fit your hand nicely. Then you wet-sand the bottom with them. I was amazed at how fast they cut down the old paint compared to the power sander. It would take a long time to hand-sand the boat enough to race, but it worked very well for cruising. It only took one of those disks to do the whole bottom and rudder of a 35 ft. boat.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 10/20/2005 13:33:18

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.