bottom paint removal????

[peanutbay1]

We recently purchased a boat that has bottom paint on it thats not in the best of shape. It looks like the paint was put on the original paint with no pre sanding. My question is...if the factory paint underneath is in good shape is there any way to remove this bottom paint with out damaging the factory paint??? We are not wet slipping the boat so it is not neccesary for our purpose.

 

[likalar]

Re: bottom paint removal????

We recently purchased a boat that has bottom paint on it thats not in the best of shape. It looks like the paint was put on the original paint with no pre sanding. .......

I'd like to comment, but more info would be helpful. Is the hull made of fiberglass with gelcoat surface, or is it wood, aluminum, or steel, or ???

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: bottom paint removal????

I have been curious about bottom paint removal as well. I have done a few searches and have found that it doesn't seem as easy as one would think. I have read that either sanding or soda blasting it is often required. I have bottom paint on my wellcraft and can only imagine the amount of work it would required to sand it all off. May be a good way to bulk up the old forearms. What I have always been curious about is if a heavy solvent is available that can remove it without hurting the gelcoat underneath.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: bottom paint removal????

If you don't have a paint layer under the anti-fouling paint, citri-strip at the "box" stores works really well. It doesn't attack the gel coat. It took one gallon to do my 18 foot trihull.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: bottom paint removal????

By paint layer do you mean multiple coats of bottom paint? Also what is the process you used? Is it a gel that can be applied and left to set? How well did it work? Is it good to the point that you can just wipe the old paint off or does it need to be scrapped etc. My concern is that if I start scraping away the old paint that there is the chance that it will look even worse when done. Can you describe what you had to do and maybe even before/after pics?

 

[gstanton]

Re: bottom paint removal????

Generally - your mileage may vary - it is easier to sand and repaint with bottom paint. This is why a bottom painted boat is of lesser value upon resale. While I can't respond about removing it, I can say that it is an annual event, that I sooo look forward to. Ours is now on a lift and does not need the bottom paint, but, need to keep it looking good!

 

[rockyrude]

Re: bottom paint removal????

Some people have the hull painted below the waterline under the anti fouling paint, the citri-strip might take it off also. The citri-strip is a gel that I used an old paint roller to apply with, let it set and a plastic scraper will take it off. The final step is a wash down with mineral spirits. I used a piece of fine steel wool soaked in mineral spirits and the hull came out like it had never been painted.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: bottom paint removal????

What is the concern with old bottom paint in the first place? When your boat is in the water, it doesn't show. When it's on the trailer, who cares? are you in a boat show? Do you polish your bilge?

If it bothers you that much, and you don't need antifouling paint, do what you do with a fence or park bench: paint over it. It's a boat, not a Louis XIV breakfront.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: bottom paint removal????

What is the concern with old bottom paint in the first place? When your boat is in the water, it doesn't show. When it's on the trailer, who cares? are you in a boat show? Do you polish your bilge?

If it bothers you that much, and you don't need antifouling paint, do what you do with a fence or park bench: paint over it. It's a boat, not a Louis XIV breakfront.

While I totally agree with you, it appears that most boaters are more interested in keeping their boats shiny, and worth more at resale time, than actually using them.

Also, one other thing about old bottom paint, is that if you just let it wear off, it will get on your clothes and gear everytime you touch it. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but my father had a 30' Chaparral that he just let the bottom paint wear off on. You had to be real careful not to touch the sides of the boat as you were checking things out and installing the bilge drain plug, or you got a nice big green streak on your nice white t-shirt!

 

[Damifudo]

Re: bottom paint removal????

I sanded it off a day boston whaler day sailer and I was able to turn the boat upside down in the yard. I can not imagine trying to do it on my back in the drive way. When it was finished the gel coat had sucked up the color of the bottom paint and now it has no bottom paint but is still blueish in color. I didnt want to go the next step so I just left it and the bottom is smooth gel coat but you can see that it was bottom painted. The good thing is when I am using the boat. I cant see it.

 

[peanutbay1]

Re: bottom paint removal????

The only reason I asked about removal was that chipped up bottom paint is ultimatly resistance to the water that you are traveling in. A smooth hull is more fuel effeciant and allows you to utilize your power better. You can only move as fast as you can displace the water around you and rough surfaces displace the water slower than smooth. But for the record I polish the inside of my bildge hoses for the weekly boat shows I attend!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: bottom paint removal????

Actually peanutbay1.....I've heard a rough hull can actually be faster due to the roughness creating tiny bubbles that the hull glides on. I believe it has been discussed here before but I don't have a specific thread to link to. Fellow moderator Bob_VT told me that he once sanded a hull and picked up an MPH or 2.

Howdy neighbor....I work in Harrisburg

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: bottom paint removal????

Yep, ez is correct. A smooth hull will actually slow you down, due to more surface drag than a rough hull. Offshore racers have been know to rough up the bottoms of their boats with 80 grit to create less surface tension.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: bottom paint removal????

Seriously, how much difference can it make? As much as a T-top, bimini, windshield or large floppy hat?
The bottom line is a cost/benefit analysis, and a big function in the cost column is time working on it instead of riding in it. Is a couple day's work out of the water (got to include drying between the cleanings and coats) worth a MPH or MPG?
Although, when I was sailing, we always painted the bottoms with brush strokes fore to aft and not abeam. That was to reduce drag at low speed, a different function than bubbles at high speed.

 

[dan t.]

Re: bottom paint removal????

If it is an ablative paint a good hi gh pressure wash will take a good portion of it off, it is worth trying