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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Varnish on Gelcoat		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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aggie
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/17/2002 :  12:21:30  Show Profile
I am in the process of doing little cleanup on a used catalina 25
that I just purchased. The previous owner had re-varnished the
exterior teak but did not do a good job of masking in some places.
What is the best way to remove dryed varnish from gelcoat?

Thanks.
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2002 :  12:33:44  Show Profile
Welcome Rick!

Oh sure, do like the rest us do, blame the previous owner <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> .

Is the varnish on the non-skid or the flat/smooth surfaces?

Briefly, on the non-skid (e.g., around the handrails) I use a dental pick and lightly scrape with the edge of the pick.
On the flat surfaces I use steel or bronze wool or sand lightly with 1000 plus grit wet/dry sandpaper.

Steve Madsen
#2428
<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>J (Ode to Joy)
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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2002 :  13:02:56  Show Profile
Like Steve says, you've got to get down there with a small pointy object or a narrow putty knife and separate the varnish from the gelcoat. I wouldn't think the bond would be very good between the two, so it shouldn't be terribly difficult.

One thing I would do, if the varnish has flowed down from the teak onto the gelcoat, is take a sharp utility knife or razor blade and cut the varnish around the base of the teak (don't cut into the gelcoat!). That way you'll get a nice clean edge around the teak. If you don't your scraping could peel varnish up off the teak as well. Good luck.

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290
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aggie
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2002 :  14:15:58  Show Profile
Thanks. I was hoping there was some magic chemical you could
spray on and the varnish would come off.
One of my projects is to re-varnish the teak, so I will be sure
to mask off carefully. Don't want to have to do the scraping thing
again.
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2002 :  22:53:32  Show Profile
Welcome Aggie...

Are you familiar with Cetol (as an alternative to varnish for exterior teak)? If not, try searching this and other sailing sites for discussions. The look is a little different (satin or gloss, light or medium-dark), but the maintenance is much simpler--annual touch-ups usually do the trick--no need to sand or strip down to bare wood after the first time around. Many swear by it, others scoff at it. Tartan, Sabre, Island Packet, and other builders use it because customers want it.

Why? More time for sailing!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT
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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2002 :  23:57:11  Show Profile  Visit Douglas's Homepage
Well said Dave. I wish I owned some of their stock.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.
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aggie
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts
Response Posted - 07/18/2002 :  11:11:35  Show Profile
Thanks. I have never applied cetol, but I have seen it being
used on other boats at the marina. I will give cetol a try
as I like the looks and ease of maintenance.
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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.