Removing Anti-fouling paint

[familyman45]

What is the safest way to remove Anti-fouling paint. The previous owner of my boat got carried away when painting the hull. He painted at least 2 1/2" above the water line. Its very noticable as I can see the line of scum. I would like to clean and repaint 1" above the water line (I believe thats what is recommended).

Thanks John

[flounderpounder225]

if its only the water line area, I would probably recommend the paint remover (stripper method) West Marine has some good stuff, the reason is, when the bottom paint is finally off, the gelcoat underneath will require less sanding and buffing to restore its gloss.  If you go mechanical removal (sanding) you will have more restore work to do on the gelcoat that is currently under the bottom paint.

[familyman45]

if its only the water line area, I would probably recommend the paint remover (stripper method) West Marine has some good stuff, the reason is, when the bottom paint is finally off, the gelcoat underneath will require less sanding and buffing to restore its gloss.  If you go mechanical removal (sanding) you will have more restore work to do on the gelcoat that is currently under the bottom paint.

I will see what West Marine offers. I was concerned with damaging the Gel coat. I guess I would Wet Sand The Gelcoat and hope it matches the unpainted portion after stripping (The gel coat is gray at this location so I guess that will help).

You know I like West Marine, but getting a little tired of buying their so called "Green Products" that don't work at all.
Just started cleaning and restoring the boat 2 weeks ago, and I already have about 70 bucks worth of useless cleaners that they recommened for cleaning the upholstery, stains on the deck and the chrome handrails.

I believe in saving our waters and being responsible, but those green products are junk.

John

[fitz73222]

if its only the water line area, I would probably recommend the paint remover (stripper method) West Marine has some good stuff, the reason is, when the bottom paint is finally off, the gelcoat underneath will require less sanding and buffing to restore its gloss.  If you go mechanical removal (sanding) you will have more restore work to do on the gelcoat that is currently under the bottom paint.

I will see what West Marine offers. I was concerned with damaging the Gel coat. I guess I would Wet Sand The Gelcoat and hope it matches the unpainted portion after stripping (The gel coat is gray at this location so I guess that will help).

You know I like West Marine, but getting a little tired of buying their so called "Green Products" that don't work at all.
Just started cleaning and restoring the boat 2 weeks ago, and I already have about 70 bucks worth of useless cleaners that they recommened for cleaning the upholstery, stains on the deck and the chrome handrails.

I believe in saving our waters and being responsible, but those green products are junk.

John

Boy you are right; nothing beats a good synthetic long caustic molecule chain to get the damn job done right the first time! what is this world coming too?

[gran398]

Try some Easy-Off oven cleaner. No kidding.

[familyman45]

Try some Easy-Off oven cleaner. No kidding.

I read about that on the forum somewhere and watched a Youtube Video of a guy using it.
But you always want to hear it from long time boat owners.

[familyman45]

if its only the water line area, I would probably recommend the paint remover (stripper method) West Marine has some good stuff, the reason is, when the bottom paint is finally off, the gelcoat underneath will require less sanding and buffing to restore its gloss.  If you go mechanical removal (sanding) you will have more restore work to do on the gelcoat that is currently under the bottom paint.

I will see what West Marine offers. I was concerned with damaging the Gel coat. I guess I would Wet Sand The Gelcoat and hope it matches the unpainted portion after stripping (The gel coat is gray at this location so I guess that will help).

You know I like West Marine, but getting a little tired of buying their so called "Green Products" that don't work at all.
Just started cleaning and restoring the boat 2 weeks ago, and I already have about 70 bucks worth of useless cleaners that they recommened for cleaning the upholstery, stains on the deck and the chrome handrails.

I believe in saving our waters and being responsible, but those green products are junk.

John

Boy you are right; nothing beats a good synthetic long caustic molecule chain to get the damn job done right the first time! what is this world coming too?

10/4 on the good old caustic cleaners. You know the kind that require you to wear industrial grade rubber gloves and breathing apparatus when applying. West Marine better not try and sell me on a "Green" paint stripper.  If I was stripping the paint off my boat while it was in the water I would use a "Green" product. :-) But I never heard of anyone doing that.

[RickK]

Sand blast  
Tried the strippers and depending on the type of paint you've got on your hull, they may or may not work - didn't work on mine.

[gran398]

Easy-Off. Bottom paint is thick, and loads-up. IF you have three dollars and sixty nine cents...YOU could be a redneck.

 

[familyman45]

Sand blast  
Tried the strippers and depending on the type of paint you've got on your hull, they may or may not work - didn't work on mine.

I own a sandblaster, but am afraid to use on the hull. There is not a lot of paint on the hull. The previous own only painted it two times because he left it it the water when he had a summer house in Ocean City. Other than that he used a trailer for 20+ years.
Not sure on the paint, but I am going to give the previous owner a call.

[RickK]

Sand Blast with a less aggressive sand, start somewhere that is not noticeable.  Unless you're trying to go back to no paint.  I thought about that too but gave up on that too after a while with the "something Away" that I used.  Sand Blast.
I gave it to a guy and he sand blasted the old off and repainted with 3 coats/5 on the water line for $300.

[Capt. Bill]

Instead of sand try soda blasting. Less abrasive and doesn't hurt the hull.

[DeepTrouble]

Has anyone done a full bottom paint removal and gelcoat polish? If so, i would like to see pics of it. My goal is take her bottom off, and either stay bare, or use a smooth bottom epoxy. Anybody use the epoxy? Maybe that should be a new topic?

[slvrlng]

If you sandblast it you will pretty much have to repaint it or re-gelcoat. The gelcoat route is a total pain unless you can flip the hull. I agree with Capt Bill that soda blast is a much better alternative. Flounderpounder I think used Perfection on his 245 after removing the old bottom paint and the color he picked you can barely tell it has paint on it at all.

[RickK]

Mine blended in real well too on the 230.  Actually it's time for another coat or 3.