paint

hadaveha · Post by **hadaveha** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:32 pm

Ok guys I have sold my C22, and had to buy a mirage 5.5 neet little sail boat but thats a differnt story, anyway I have come to the conclusion that it was painted with house paint. I can peel it away with a rasor blade but im gouging my hull up,it wont sand it just gums up the paper. Any ideas has anyone ever tried a paint stripper on fiberglass. You guys are allways the most helpfull bunch, I hope you dont mind me still posting on here.

N41EF · Post by **N41EF** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:50 pm

They do make paint striper for fiberglass, car guys use it to not eat corvettes and such, also used in aviation. You might try a pressure washer first to know the big stuff off. I blasted mine and it took 2.3 of the blue paint off below the waterline.

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:08 pm

Hey, look for a stripper made by Back To Nature..
http://www.ibacktonature.com/Pages/readystrip-PD.html

you can get the marine version at West Marine,
http://www.ibacktonature.com/Pages/read ... NE-PD.html

but it costs more, and I'm pretty sure the MSDS is the same on both. Ace Hardware carries the home version.

I used it on the Cal and it was great - could use a plastic putty knife and it the paint came off with no effort. 2 quarts did a 21 foot boat easy..I should have some pics I can post tonight..

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:42 pm

Here's a couple clickable thumbnails..and I was actually being too cheap with the stripper, trying to stretch it and it still worked good..your mileage may vary of course...

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:26 pm

Hey Beau,
NEVER be to cheap with a stripper . . . . . . .

Just sayin'

Scott

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:36 pm

That wasn't a stripper, that was an interpretive dancer Scott...oh, wait..never mind..

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:59 pm

Good advice above.

Wish I had asked before using some not meant for fiberglass!! It ate a lot a small holes that created more work later. So just be sure ya get the right stuff

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:42 pm

If it peals off, maybe a heat gun would make quick work of it.

Dallasbob · Post by **Dallasbob** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:20 am

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:47 pm

Careful with using sand, Bob. Silica is dangerous! Seems safe since, heck it's just playground sand. Use it myself since it's so cheap. But seriously, know the hazards of silicosis!

Rivercruiser · Post by **Rivercruiser** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:35 pm

use a pressure washer with baking soda (buy in big bags at the feed store) and use a respirator and goggles.

Dallasbob · Post by **Dallasbob** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:35 am

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:54 am

Holy smokes!

You mean I could have sandblasted all those nasty layers of paint off my nonskid on my project boat!!! Dang! That would have saved me soooo much time an $$$... I ground/sanded all that flush... I'm waiting for the temps to put the Kiwi grip on before any of my deck hardware goes back on...

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:10 am

One word of caution for those trying the sandblasting--be careful! I mentioned health hazards before, now let me mention how efficient a sandblaster is. Practice on something you don't mind destroying. That sandblasting will flat go through gelcoat and well into fiberglass before yoiu know it. A simple hesitation is all it takes. Hate to sound like a worry wart, but seriously, go easy and good luck!

Dallasbob · Post by **Dallasbob** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:26 pm

Just keep the pressure low. Yes 40psi will blast through almost anything. 20psi is good on mine but other models/tips may need more or less. Play with it on unimportant stuff and wear a face shield and gloves.

There is no better way . . . in my opinion. It cleans non skid grooves like magic. Rust on your trailer? Blast it, apply Ospho, paint and you're good to go! You can do in seconds what would take hours of sanding or stripping or any other way. I only paid 50 bucks for mine. After using it I know I'd pay 10 or 20 times that much without thinking twice.