Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

[Jim Hawkins]

I want to repaint my old CrownLine runabout.

It currently has a topcoat of questionable material that is flaking off. I have removed most of it by the method that worked best, a flat razor. What's left will take forever using a razor. Paint remover doesn't work very well either. I don't want to just sand and feather the edges because I fear if I leave any it will also flake off at some point. So I want it all off.



If I sand it down to nothing I worry I will take too much of what's underneath.

I'm not sure what it is, paint, epoxy, gelcoat? It is hard and flakes off, doesn't peel.

Any ideas? Suggestions?

*I wanted to add, this is NOT the original topcoat because I can see where fittings were taken off the bow and the holes filled in before recoating.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Since paint stripper didn't work, it's likely not 'typical' paint, but it also doesn't look like gelcoat to me. Limited pix via the internet does make it tough to tell.

Have you tried a really aggressive paint stripper? Like Aircraft stripper:

It's pretty nasty stuff, so wear PPE! If it doesn't wrinkle the paint fairly quickly, apply it to another area & cover it w/ plastic wrap & let it sit for 20-30min before you mess w/ it. If you hit the white w/ some aggressive sandpaper, that may help the stripper get thru the outer layer & help loosen it from the underlying fiberglass.

If that doesn't work either, sanding & scrapping may be the only alternative left.

It could be 2stage catalyzed paint or an epoxy paint of some type. Those would both stand up to most strippers, but the Aircraft should get thru it.

BTW: The darker fiberglass looks very cracked & crazed, which may be why someone covered it w/ the white:

What's the plan once you get the white off?

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Might try a heat gun to see if that softens the stuff up. I don't like using the liquid strippers if I don't have to.

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Thanks for the reply, I will try the aircraft type stripper.

My Plan, well, your right, the base is full of tiny cracks. I figure to use a 2 part epoxy primer with sanding and second coating or filler of some sort but for the finish coat I have an idea that I haven't seen anyone do, at least not in my searches. I want to Paint it to look like an old wooden boat.



I'm not going to try to exactly match a wood type finish with grain and I don't expect to fool anyone just give it a really neat paint job that at a glance looks like an old Cris Craft or similar boat.

Anyone done this already? I'd prefer to follow someones example rather than pioneer.

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Might try a heat gun to see if that softens the stuff up. I don't like using the liquid strippers if I don't have to.

Thanks, I was just reading online about using heat. Strippers are messy, I'll give that a shot first and hold the stripper in reserve.

 

[zool]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Instead of wood tone paint, maybe you could source a wood tone marine vinyl wrap, like 3m ni-doc or similar.......

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Instead of wood tone paint, maybe you could source a wood tone marine vinyl wrap, like 3m ni-doc or similar.......

I did a little searching on that - Pricey

 

[zool]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Ive never priced the wrap, but i suppose you could use a single stage 2 part urethane over epoxy primer, get it mixed in a burnt orange type tint, then lightly dry brush wood grain with a darket tint, also candy the orange to get a varnished look. Then tape off cauking lines with a black or cream...or base/clear it, but im not a big fan of BC on boats that are used...

if you plan to brush it on, Awlgrip/Craft would flow out ok with roll/tip..theres also clear for the candy effect.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

heat will take it off, and will damage the fiberglass resin. Aircraft stripper will remove paint. yes its is messy and expensive. and if gotten on your skin, will eat that as well.

elbow grease, a DA sander, and a weekend of time will take care of the removal.

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

i suppose you could use a single stage 2 part urethane over epoxy primer, get it mixed in a burnt orange type tint, then lightly dry brush wood grain with a darket tint, also candy the orange to get a varnished look. Then tape off cauking lines with a black or cream

Zool, you pretty much described what I had in mind. I plan to spray the first coat a reddish brown wood color on the whole top of the boat, Then brush or roll the light wood color in the middle and last tape off and paint the caulk lines by hand. I don't think I will even go for the wood grain, just the colors and layout will be enough for the look I want so long as I get the color tone right

OK, so there's a vote for heat, a vote for stripper and a vote for sanding. I guess I'll figure it out.

Thanks for the help, do you like the idea?

 

[zool]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

sounds like a plan, you can also lay the caulk color ist, then make the tape the cauking, then spray the reddish brown, might get straighter lines embedding the caulk stripes, the tape thickness would be the caulk line thickness desired..

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

sounds like a plan, you can also lay the caulk color ist, then make the tape the cauking, then spray the reddish brown, might get straighter lines embedding the caulk stripes, the tape thickness would be the caulk line thickness desired..

Not sure I understand, caulk color first, ok, then do you mean use some 1/4" wide (or so) tape on top of the caulk color, spray the burnt orange and then remove the tape to expose the caulk color?

 

[zool]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

yes, its faster and you get uniformed lines...plus, embedded stripes seem to look sharper to me. 3m fine line would be my choice..

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

The taped lines would be the way to go. You could even do Faux Wood Grain if you wanted. Check it out on youtube.

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Removing topcoat 1957 CrownLine

Got it, thanks. I'll be a few weeks prepping this boat then I'll show my progress.