bottom paint

I used the Aircraft paint stripper by Kleen Strip. I had about six layers of bottom paint to remove. It takes three applications of stripper to get it off then i still have to sand. I swear stripper gummys the remaining paint and clogs the sandpaper fast.
 
I started stripping my bottom paint a few days ago. I bought the aircraft stripper but didn't bother with the scraper. I applied the stripper, waited about ten minutes and took the pressure washer to it. The pressure washer works much better than the scraper. In many spots it would take the paint of right to the hull with just one application of stripper. I have a total of about 45 minutes work in mine and I'm about half way done.
 
Looks like i am renting a pressure washer. I thought about that but did not think it would work. I have about 12 hours in mine and almost half way done.
 
Thats really good to know. I have a pressure washer and also had thought about it. Now I know for sure that I will be definitely using it. Thanks for the great tip!!:clap:
 
Just be careful with the pressure washer. If you have a powerful one (2800 psi or more) and get too close for too long you can actually damage the fiberglass on your hull (don't ask me how I know). :head: And since you're usnig chemicals that can and will splash MAKE SURE you have goggles on.
 
Thanks Destroyer. Will do. And trust me, I work in the aerospace industry and wear safety glasses 10 hours a day. It is kind of second nature now for anything I do in the garage or outside the house. We can't replace our eyes!!
 
Yeah, watch the pressure. It's better to apply and wash several times than damage the gelcoat but honestly I would rather repair gelcoat than sand bottom paint. Anyone that doesn't already own a pressure washer, it's a must have around the house. I never realized it until I got one and they can be picked up for less than $200 all day long on craigslist.
 
Sounds like this months site project is stripping bottom paint. I have my hull flipped over and it is still a real *****. I've gone through (50) 80 grit disks and now up to (10) 50 grit and still am not half-way done after around 8 hours.

I couldn't imagine doing this work on my back.

I'll be making my way to West Marine this week and Neff shortly thereafter.
 
That aviation paint stripper is really amazing. Put on one coat, pressure washed, put on another coat, pressure washed....bottom paint gone. Started at 5:42, done at 7:19
 
I wish I was having that luck. I put on the stripper, let it sit 10 minutes, and pressure washed it, repeated, and barely made a dent. I'm not sure if I just have more layers or I need to let it sit longer. :head:

I'm gonna try again tomorrow morning and then its gonna be time to look like a smurf with my palm sander.
 
Disturbed said:
I wish I was having that luck. I put on the stripper, let it sit 10 minutes, and pressure washed it, repeated, and barely made a dent. I'm not sure if I just have more layers or I need to let it sit longer. :head:

I'm gonna try again tomorrow morning and then its gonna be time to look like a smurf with my palm sander.
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I have been using a heavy duty Porter Cable sander with 80 grit paper and its still a b**ch. I tried 50 and it cut thru it fast but gouges the gelcoat. Maybe a palm sander with 50 aint so rough. Also are you only brushing the stripper in one direction? If you brush it like paint it evaporates fast.
 
Ok, A new soda blaster wasn't in my budget, so hand sanding it is!! Palm sander is crap, so away I went with my Dewalt drill today. I'm about 75% done, and plan on finishing up in morning followed by bottom paint. Holy $h!T. Talk about looking like a smurf!! Lmao.

I had to have a little instant gratification and painted just the aft section. Nice!!! I love it. All the hard work is definitely going to be worth it. I will post pics when the entire project is done. I bought it on June 1st and plan on splashing it July 1st.

New Cherry dash is done. New Cherry cuddy door is done. All decals removed. New decals installed. New Teak Cuddy guides installed. All wiring redone. Rod holders have been reglassed, cleaned up and painted and reinstalled. Mama is busy at work recovering all the cushions for the cuddy. All that will be left after this weekend is to paint a 3" black stripe where the original decals were.

It has been well worth the experience so far and for my first boat, I love it!! And it damn sure doesn't look 22 years old.

Stay tuned for upcoming boat porn!!
 
I'm glad you were able to find something that worked for you. I can tell others that if it sits too long it resolidifies and doesn't work as well. There is a sweet spot in the amount of time it takes to soften the paint and then get hard again. If I had not tireds to do it all at once I could have done it in one application.

Also, you're right, palm sanders aint ****. Orbitals with 50 grit is the minimum for this type of job.
 
Disturbed said:
I wish I was having that luck. I put on the stripper, let it sit 10 minutes, and pressure washed it, repeated, and barely made a dent. I'm not sure if I just have more layers or I need to let it sit longer. :head:

I'm gonna try again tomorrow morning and then its gonna be time to look like a smurf with my palm sander.
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I THINK...you may have had the same trouble as me...EPOXY paint...regular bottom paint apparently comes off w/stripper...but mine, and sounds like yours just LAUGHED at stripper...I think it's epoxy paint on there...sanded all mine off w/60 grit disc on a drill motor...then two coats of regular West Bottom Shield...
 
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