Painted Cowling Repair

[Tony T.]

A buddy of mine just bought a 16 ft factory camo Sea Ark aluminum boat with a 40 hp Mercury outboard, both boat and outboard are 2002 year models. The previous owner striped the decals off the outboard cowling and painted just the top part of the cowling flat black. It looks to be painted with a spray can. My friend ask the guy why did you strip the decals off and paint the cowling ? The guy replied I'm a duck hunter and was trying to not draw attention to the glossy black outboard, another words camo it.

The paint is just sprayed on with no prep work underneath, another words it's flaking off in places but real tiny flakes and the factory paint looks good underneath where he spray painted it, I don't think a pressure washer would get it loose IDK . My question does anybody have any idea the quickest/easiest way to remove this spray paint without damaging the original factory gloss paint on the cowling ? My buddy wants to restore it back to factory original.


Tony

 

[oldrem]

Might have some luck with a buffing wheel and the compound used to bring old auto paint back to life. It has to be done very wet and it very slowly removes the outer layer.

 

[Dennischaves]

Try laquer thinner or acetone
The paint underneath is a 2k (2 part) paint/clearcoat
So its activated and wont wipe off
Buy a can of either at home depot for $5
If its spraycan it will come off
And a light buff when your done it will be good as new
I do autobody for a living dont be afraid to use laquer thinner or acetone on it

 

[Woodonglass]

I agree ^^^ A towel soaked in Acetone and then layed on top of the cowling will lift that spray can paint off in about 15 mins. Lift the rag and that spray paint will be curled up and easily scraped off with a plastic putty knife.

 

[Tony T.]

Thanks guys so far for the suggestions on getting the spray paint off, I've been text messaging my friend your suggestions and his response was thanks also to you guys.

Tony

 

[Woodonglass]

Let us know how it turns out.