Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

[D Hanny]

Hi guys,

Just a question based on what I was able to find at the local Home Depot...

I am going to strip my aluminum hull's paint off soon, and of course have read to use a stainless steel brush (this will be going on my angle grinder) vs. a regular steel brush.

At the Home Depot I could only find a flat-wheel that had stainless braids, which really doesn't seem like it would be easy to use (vs. individual bristles), or regular steel-wire wheels (which I can't use). But they did have one other option - a "non woven Rapid Strip" wheel, which looked to be made out of some polymer that was impregnated with abrasives. This would be the blue wheels on this mess of a website

I have two concerns about this wheel (but will buy it if you tell me it's OK, 1.) that particles of soft plastic will embed themselves in pores of the aluminum, or that the wheel will coat the hull with a plastic, and 2.) that it won't etch the hull deeply enough to be able to skip having to use some etching process.

My next guess as to where to get a proper stainless angle-grinder brush quickly would be some welding supply shop? I see them on the 'net, but need one by Monday to get this thing started and finished, so I hope to pick one up locally.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

I am going to strip my aluminum hull's paint off soon,

Ayuh,... Why,..??

2.) that it won't etch the hull deeply enough to be able to skip having to use some etching process.

To skip the etching process, Don't strip it....

Sand the surface Smooth, then primer, then sand it smoother, then Paint it....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

If you insist on using an angle grinder be advised held the wrong way and it will go through the aluminum with whatever you have on it ie, grinding wheel, flap disk, or any wire wheel.

I agree with bondo and sanding the old finish prevents and cuts back on the zinc chromate required primer's.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

Tangentially, what might be required to strip the hull and leave it "raw"/unfinished on the exterior of an aluminum boat? Would it need some sort of clear coat to protect it under marine applications?

P.S.
Thanks for the Starcraft resto links Bob_VT for my new Ark. Traveler

 

[D Hanny]

Re: Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

I've got InterLux's InterProtect 2000 that will be going on it. So why sand it down? Many people, except I guess you guys, seem to agree that the best way to give a primer the chance to hold is to give it a rough surface to adhere to. I've never heard about sanding the surface smooth to give primers better long-term adhesion, but apparently my understanding of the technique I'm about to use must be misguided.

Strip the oxidized paint, clean the hull, paint the primer and paint the paint was my plan. Numerous people have written to use a stainless wire wheel on the painted sections of aluminum boats, if the plan is to repaint them, so I'm wondering how this all sounds so foreign to you guys now

So if I were to use a sandpaper, which type of sandpaper should be used on Aluminum? I know I've read that not all are compatible.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

So if I were to use a sandpaper, which type of sandpaper should be used on Aluminum? I know I've read that not all are compatible.

Ayuh,... I rough sand with 180 or 220 on a D/A, prime, sand Super Smooth with 320 or so, blow clean, 'n top coat...

If ya don't sand through the existing paint, etching isn't needed...

 

[Shife]

Re: Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

I've got InterLux's InterProtect 2000 that will be going on it. So why sand it down? Many people, except I guess you guys, seem to agree that the best way to give a primer the chance to hold is to give it a rough surface to adhere to. I've never heard about sanding the surface smooth to give primers better long-term adhesion, but apparently my understanding of the technique I'm about to use must be misguided.

Strip the oxidized paint, clean the hull, paint the primer and paint the paint was my plan. Numerous people have written to use a stainless wire wheel on the painted sections of aluminum boats, if the plan is to repaint them, so I'm wondering how this all sounds so foreign to you guys now

So if I were to use a sandpaper, which type of sandpaper should be used on Aluminum? I know I've read that not all are compatible.

If the original paint is in good condition and not flaking, prep any worn through/bare areas as directed by Interlux and sand the rest with 80 grit. Then apply the Interprotect as directed by Interlux, not the jokers here. When applied properly Interprotect 2k provides a coating that is in an entirely different league from what is normally used on this site.

If you need more info on this send an email to Interlux. They won't steer you wrong and removing a botched Interprotect coating because the the substrate wasn't sanded to the appropriate grit or some other reason is a serious bummer.

http://www.yachtpaint.com/MPYACMDatasheets/Interprotect_2000E+eng-usa+A4+Y+20100614.pdf

 

[D Hanny]

Re: Non-woven Rapid strip wheel for aluminum hull vs. Stainless steel wheel?

If the original paint is in good condition and not flaking, prep any worn through/bare areas as directed by Interlux and sand the rest with 80 grit. Then apply the Interprotect as directed by Interlux, not the jokers here. When applied properly Interprotect 2k provides a coating that is in an entirely different league from what is normally used on this site.

If you need more info on this send an email to Interlux. They won't steer you wrong and removing a botched Interprotect coating because the the substrate wasn't sanded to the appropriate grit or some other reason is a serious bummer.

http://www.yachtpaint.com/MPYACMDatasheets/Interprotect_2000E+eng-usa+A4+Y+20100614.pdf

Thank you - the link was very helpful.

Looks like I'm in business, and I'll ask Interlux for further questions.