Peel Away Didn't Peel Away

[TwoBallScrewBall]

On Sunday Morning I applied Peel Away to the port side of my 23 foot wellcraft. Let it sit overnight and Monday morning I began the removal process. Well let's say I tried to begin the removal process. Even after letting it sit the full 24 hours, I have a lot of paint left on the hull. I followed directions exactly, applied the stripper, covered with the provided paper and used a paint roller to flatten out the bubbles and make sure the paper was in full contact with the stripper. The paint did soften somewhat but there is very little area that actually came clean to bare fiberglass. <br /><br />Once I was done scraping and thoroughly dissapointed I decided to rinse the hull with the pressure washer. A bit more paint came off. Here's the best part. Out of curiousity I started spraying down the starboard side, with no stripper applied, and the paint on that side comes completely off with just the pressure washer. The paint that had the stripper applied to it is actually more difficult to remove than the non treated side. <br /><br />What the hell happened? The boat is only 7-8 years old, and I doubt it was painted every year so maybe tops there's 5 layers of paint on it. Probably less than that. <br /><br />Did I do something wrong? I have two unopened gallons of the peel away that I am going to see if I can return since the untreated side is coming bare with just the pressure washer and it looks like I'll have to sand on the peel-away side. <br /><br />I'm aggrivated.

 

[John McFarlane]

Re: Peel Away Didn't Peel Away

Stiffy, It looks as if the 'Peel Away' has caused a reaction between the top layer of the fibreglass and the paint molecules, bonding them together to some degree. Have you tried reapplying to a small part of the area and see what happens. It will either do what it is supposed to or bond the paint to the fibreglass even stronger. Anything to lose by trying?

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Peel Away Didn't Peel Away

My dad suggested trying a second application. It did remove probably about 1/2 of the paint, maybe more, on the first application. <br /><br />Whatever happens, I'm going to just use the pressure washer to finish off the stbd side. Looks like the port side will now take me twice as long just because I used the peel away on it. <br /><br />Any other ideas?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Peel Away Didn't Peel Away

SN,I have never done this myself but a good friend had the same problem.He determined that the directions were not strictly followed.The temperature,thickness of application,length of time that it sits are crucial to good results.He also used some kind of paper covering that came with the kit and that made it easier as well.Charlie

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Peel Away Didn't Peel Away

Hey Charlie,<br /><br />Thanks for the reply. At $50 a gallon I read the instructions a few times before I even opened the can. <br /><br />Temp should be 50 or above. It reached 75 Sunday, did not drop below 50 overnight. <br /><br />Dwell time was 2-24 hours, I played it safe and waited the full 24 hours. <br /><br />Said to apply up to 1/8" thick. I did. It was definitely not too thin. I had 2 sheets of paper left over on the first gallon so if anything it was too thick. <br /><br />I too used the provided laminated paper. <br /><br />I am looking for what I did wrong but don't see it. <br /><br />I'll hopefully get some more work in on it this week and weekend. Updates to come.

 

[wizard]

Re: Peel Away Didn't Peel Away

Stiff,<br /><br />I had the same experience - 18 years of bottom paint - the peel away softened the paint, but I still had to use a sharp paint scraper to remove - surely didn't "PEEL AWAY"<br /><br />My thoughts:<br /><br />Only cover an area that you're sure you will scrape within 24 hrs. (builds muscles!)<br /><br />Try to get on as thick as you can (although I don't see how you can get 1/8" complete)<br /><br />2 coats may be required.<br /><br />Keep scraper sharp.<br /><br />I probably got 3/4 of application down to white after 1st coat.<br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />Keep us updated.