Peel Away stripper on my 22-2

[John Jones]

The regulars will know of my biatching and procrastinating about removing the bottom paint.  It's like 1/8" thick in some places.  I tried the Interlux stripper in the past.  It works but it softens the hell out of the gelcoat.  I checked on the Peel Away product when I first got the boat but the bottom has not been a priority.  I did not want to spend the money on soda blasting, etc.  but I'll probably regret that.

Our local Boat US was closing due to the merger with West Marine and was running a big sale a few weeks ago.  They had Peel Away marked down to $36 sitting under a table with a 50% off lowest marked price sign.  I got two buckets for $18 and change each.   :)

Yeah, I believe their advertising like I believe the male enhancement commercials on TV but I'm going to try it anyway.

Day One

The target


the product


There is paper in there  




tools




the end of day one


I had a heck of a time getting it on thick with the putty knife so I dug up a small roller I had in the garage.  It worked much better but there is still a lot of waste.  It takes a while to learn how much goop to put on the roller and how to spread it without it all falling on the ground or in your face.  
*Pleasant note:  This stuff does not burn like regular strippers but I still wore goggles.

The paper is pretty easy to go on.  I would get it started with my hands then roll the bubbles out with the roller.

[John Jones]

I did a test at 24 hours and the paint was soft but I was hoping another day would make it release better.     I started peeling after 48 hours.  The stripper/paint goop was soft but nothing like their claims.  Maybe 1% of the paint came off with the paper.  I started scraping with the broad putty knife like they said.  It was getting a lot of the paint off but not to the gelcoat like their claims.  Now I'm getting aggravated and my arm is getting tired and my neck is hurting.  Out comes the new 6HP Honda powered 2750 PSI pressure washer.  This is the only way to go.  Screw scraping.  It still does not work like they claim.  (This could be my technique or the batch I got could be old, who knows.)  I got large areas down to the gelcoat but I still have a ton of blue granite left.  I guess I'll have to try another application.  I only used one bucket but I had to use some paper from the second bucket to cover it all.  I'll have to order some paper.

My gelcoat was NOT sanded prior to the original bottom coating or at least it's not noticable.  It feels fairly smooth but there is some kind of translucent green primer looking stuff on there that the Peel Away does not touch.

I did NOT attempt the area between the trailer bunks.  Maybe 4' X 6'.  When I get the rest of it done I'll take it off the trailer to finish that area and do my prep and painting.

No pics today.  It was dark and dinner was on the table when I got everything put away.  I was wet and muddy from lying under the boat with the pressure washer wand.  Thank goodness it was 80+ today.  (Damn I love Florida)  I'll take some pics tomorrow of what it looks like now.  It ain't pretty.

[RickK]

Looks good John, you did it - yeah!! 8)
You were able to coat most of the boat with one gallon?  That may be a good thing for me since the stuff I bought WAS NOT $18 (you dawg).

I was watching the video and they mentioned that in warmer climates, you don't have to use the paper.  Do you think that it was necessary?

I was thinking of painting it on the stern of my boat today, not using paper and letting it sit for a while, testing the softness (24hours?).  Then I was going to try my 2400psi p-washer.  If my p-washer didn't do anything, I was going to borrow my buddy's 3600psi p-washer.  That ought to blow it off, huh
Does it turn everything blue after blowing it off?

[John Jones]

I did not touch the 4' X 6' area between the trailer bunks.  Too hard to get to.  I'll probably have to have another bucket to get that area.

The day I applied the stuff it was really windy and I was afraid the stuff would dry out too quickly, even with the paper.  It did not.  Even where some oozed out around the edge of the paper when I rolled the paper flat was still just about the same consistency as it was out of the bucket.  You will probably do fine without the paper.  If I remember right, your's looks like just one layer of paint.  Your pressure washer should do fine.  Yep, I had blue mayonaisse all over the ground, the trailer, and myself.  I would not do it on an unprotected driveway unless your wife will be happy with a designer blue driveway.  It washed off the trailer easily.  I suspect it might kill the grass too.  That much less to cut  

This I am satisfied with.  Maybe 1/3 of what I did came out this clean.


The other 2/3 looks like this and will require another application.  


It will not happen today.  Our Christmas will be next weekend when some of the kids and grandkids can come down.  Just now the t'storms are hitting our area.

[RickK]

yup, I see the storm band is just offshore - we're next.  Our version of snow in Fla
Looking good.  My boat sits on a shell driveway, next to a regular concrete one, so maybe I need to cover these with plastic when I do this?
Did I read that you're going to repaint?

[John Jones]

You will probably be ok on the shell.  It's cheap enough to put on another layer.

Yeah, I intend to paint.  I think my brother has contacts to get me Imron wholesale.  It's as good as Awlgrip I think.

[RickK]

Imron is what I painted the 170 sides with.  It's also what the airlines use on their planes, so I've heard.  They say it's dangerous stuff though.  Be careful - I painted mine outdoors, actually where the 230 is sitting now.

[John Jones]

Yeah, most all the 2 part urethanes and epoxys are not exactly healthy.  I have used Imron before on industrial equipment and cars.  It's good stuff.  You are actually supposed to use a closed suit with fresh air supply.

[RickK]

So, any update on the bottom?
I started on mine yesterday - the paper doesn't cover much.  I did the stern and then started running down the sides.  On the port side I started in the back and coated the side and the chine area (about 5" in) and papered that, then coated the same all the way to the front of the bunk.  When I got past the bunk of the trailer, I coated deeper, to the strake and continued to the front of the keel. It'll look weird until I get the whole thing clean but what the heck - I knew I was going to run out of paper.  I had enough paper to coat the starboard side/chine about 7ft from the stern. I still have about a half of gallon of the peelaway - I don't think I could get it on any thicker.  I plastered it on with a small brush and you're right - it's messy.
Have to order more paper.  Did you order some more?  Maybe we can combine our orders - save some shipping?

[John Jones]

I have not ordered yet.  Call me when you are ready to order or just order me one pack of paper and PM me where to send the check.

I have not done any more work on the bottom.  Too much company.  I have 4 adult guests and six kids (oldest 8) in my house now...  

[JimCt]

Find any old repairs under the paint?

[RickK]

I've had mine "soaking" since Saturday at 9AM - so this morning I was going to have a go at scraping it off.

This is what is about to hit us and might throw a wrench into the mix.
At least the stuff has been on there for 48 hours.

[JimCt]

Have used Tyvek and polyethylene sheeting with good results as substitutes for the Peel-Away paper.  Any covering which inhibits water evaporation from the paste will work.

[RickK]

Like waxed paper?

[JimCt]

Waxed paper will disintegrate.  Put a piece in a glass of water overnight and see what happens.  Saran wrap would work.