Sand-blasting bottom

[Dead Eye]

There must be 12 coats of bottom paint on my new-to-me boat. Recently sanded it and painted it. Next year I want to get to the gel-coat and paint it . I know there are solvents to remove the paint. My question is has anyony had any experience with their boat getting sandblasted? I want to get the marina to do it if I get some positive feedback.<br />1988 18ft Wellcraft CC<br /> Thanks, Dead Eye

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

Not my boat in particular, but I have seen it done many times... If you want to get down to the gelcoat, thats the way to go.. Just make absolutely sure you hire a competent "blaster" to do the job because it's very easy to go right through the gelcoat if the job's not done carefully, and even when done carefully some gelcoat may come off...<br /><br />After blasting, I'd advise on an epoxy barrier coat like Interlux VC-Tar, Interprotect, or Pettit Protect to stop any possible water absorption before you bottom paint again..

 

[Dead Eye]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

Thanks for the quick response!<br /> Dead Eye

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

Rather than sand blasting which can be pretty agressive on gel coat I would look into plastic media blasting. It is used on fiberglass cars like the Corvette.<br /><br /> http://www.stripmasterspor15.com/blast.htm <br /><br />Buttanic

 

[flashback]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

Also a safer method than sand is ground up walnut shells(no kiddin) it works quite well....... sand will cut gel-coat very quickly......

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

Hey flash,if he starts eating walnuts now he will be able to blast the bottom in about 20 years!!!!

 

[Dead Eye]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

I wonder why your name is Crazy Charlie

 

[Solittle]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

Dead Eye - I have your boat's big brother - 1988 23' Wellcraft CC Fisherman model with twin 1.6L OMC SeaDrives. Had it for ten yrs & love it.<br /><br />I would not turn my boat over to anyone to sanblast unless I had seen several done by the same person who was going to do mine. To me sandblasting is for steel hulls.<br /><br />I have the same problem with cruddy bottom paint and am looking at a product from these folks:<br /><br /> http://www.dumondchemicals.com/ <br /><br />It runs $60 per gal (West Marine has it)& I was told that my boat would need three gal. It is guaranteed (for whatever that is worth) to remove ten coats with one application. It is a glop that you put on heavy and cover with some kind of paper - let it sit overnight and scrape off.

 

[Dead Eye]

Re: Sand-blasting bottom

I was looking for someone else to do it. After getting under the boat this year [sanding & painting] I swore I would try to get someone else to do the dirty work. I'm not looking to spend alot of money on a 1988 boat either. Got all summer to think it over and try to save for it.<br /> Thanks. Dead Eye