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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Removing bottom paint		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/07/2009 :  22:06:42  Show Profile
The bottom paint on <i>Passage</i> is quite thick, and is cracking and flaking off. So I started scraping the bottom with a hand pull scraper.

I put on protective clothing, goggles and a respirator. I put down a tarp over the parking lot where the boat is stored. I can only work on windless days. I collect the scrapings into a large tarp, then I transfer them to a plastic bag for disposal. The boatyard to me this was the approved method.

I expect to have the boat "clean" at the end of the week.

I thought about using paint remover, however, the remover attacks both the paint and the vinylester/fibreglass. Too much VOC for me. Is there any alternate ways to more easily remove the paint (for example, by heating it with a heat gun?)

My question is, if can get down to the gelcoat, I realize I have to roughen the surface, but do I also have to prime the bottom before reapplying ablative bottom paint?
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 03/07/2009 :  22:23:49  Show Profile
No, not usually, but read the instructions of the brand you use. I just scrub, scrape off the loose stuff and re-apply. Actually, most of the loose stuff comes off with the haul out pressure wash. It has worked well so far.
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Old Disco Queen
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts
Response Posted - 03/07/2009 :  22:35:09  Show Profile
I'm telling you what...I used paint stripper and was very happy with the results...you just have to work a small area at a time, and watch it closely. Had no trouble with the fiberglass. I also tried the "fiberglass friendly/environment friendly" types...they seemed to not work very well. I ended up using the cheap stuff from Walmart and it worked terrific! Good luck!

Stephen
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts
Response Posted - 03/08/2009 :  06:04:28  Show Profile
Not all paint strippers will damage a boat's finish. The ordinary hardware store paint strippers are too aggressive and will dissolve the gelcoat, but there are strippers that are specifically designed for fiberglass. Interlux makes one, but, like all "yachting supplies," it's very expensive.

The paint stripper that I use works as well as any I've found, costs about $30. a gallon, or less, and is available nationwide. I use Klean Strip paint remover. They make different types, but you want the type that is specifically designed for stripping paint from fiberglass. I have used it to strip my C25 and my C&C 35 with excellent results. There's no easy way to strip old bottom paint, unless you hire someone else to do it for you, but a paint stripper is the quickest, easiest way I have found.
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 03/08/2009 :  11:10:45  Show Profile
Hi Bruce... Those layers of hard paint might go back to the first owner--I don't know, but I know there was a lot on there. Ablatives turned out to be not-so-friendly to it--thus the face-of-the-moon look... Finally somebody's doing something about it!

It seems to me strippers have to be better for the environment <i>and you</i> than scraping... One tip I got about strippers is to not waste your time or material trying to use them below about 60 degrees--a little tough in this area at this time of year. Even when the temp exceeds 60 during the day, the hull is likely to be colder, so the stripper is less effective.

I'd absolutely minimize sanding the hull after stripping unless I was putting a barrier coat on--sanding greatly reduces the gelcoat's resistance to blistering. If no barrier coat, I'd use a sandless primer, which calls for applying the paint when it's still just barely tacky, so you do the boat in sections (or at least in halves). I recall, from areas where it seemed all the paint had come off, the hull below the waterline was a pale green instead of white, so that might actually be a barrier coat or a factory primer. I would try not to remove that, and I suspect "fiberglass-friendly" stippers won't attack epoxy. But obviously I don't know that from experience!
Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/08/2009 11:13:50
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Rich P
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts
Response Posted - 03/08/2009 :  12:05:52  Show Profile
http://www.peelaway.com/html/peelaway.htm#marine2

When I did my Pacemaker, I used the original Peel-Away (top of the page) and it worked great. Now they have stuff made specifically for boats (near the bottom of the page). It does not harm the fiberglass at all (it is shipped and store in plastic containers) and is very easy to use.
Edited by - Rich P on 03/08/2009 12:06:24
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 03/08/2009 :  17:17:39  Show Profile
PS's test of strippers found the eco friendly mixes to be about as effective as more toxic ones, just slower. They also affirmed the previously mentioned 60ΒΊ rule.
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts
Response Posted - 03/08/2009 :  20:59:15  Show Profile
Ok, thanks for the 60 degree rule, I did not know about that. The scraper does not apparently harm the greenish underneath coat, so it has to be pretty hard. I'll take a look at WM to see what they have to offer.
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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.