Strip or Sand ?

[wrfalpacas]

Aluminum hull, overpainted with house paint, houspaint peeling and cracking (Looks like a BAD case of dandruff when you rub the hull )

Question: Sand with Random Orbital Sander down to good paint, Or strip the whole darn thing and re-prime? (If strip, what brand stripper?)

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

If its that bad try a pressure washer first, it may take 90% of it off.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

If its that bad try a pressure washer first, it may take 90% of it off.

I pressure washed it and got alot of the loose stuff off, but there is still alot of spidered paint stuck on. If I go with a stripper I was thinking of that EFS 2500 stuff.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

You're way a head of me then. Strippers work well, I can't recommend a brand though.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

Normally I would say no, don't strip but with that paint you have to. I can't see any other way to get it out of all the nooks and crannies. Your original paint is probably one part anyway so stripping will open up your options for new paint.

 

[arks]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

I've used a stripper called PeelAway. It worked pretty well if left to work for at least 12 hours under the paper. Do NOT get that stuff on your skin- it'll burn within a minute....don't ask me how I know!
I tried it to remove multiple layers of bottom paint but it did NOT leave the hull perfectly clean- I still had to sand the hull to remove all traces of paint. In the end I decided it was too costly for my purposes. I ended up scraping and sanding the bottom, which left a perfectly clean surface.

 

[oops!]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

in any paint job....prep is 99 % of the job.

if you are willing to live with old paint edges under your new paint job. then just sand it...

but i would strip it all and do it from bare hull

 

[sschefer]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

Another option to is to have it Soda Ash blasted. This is more costly from a dollar outlay aspect but may be worth it in saved time and effort.

 

[halas]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

Use a clingy paste type paint remover from Lowes or Home Depot.
Buy the kind that specify "water final rinse" (don't buy the environmentally friendly stuff like some peel away products) For good stuff pay around $ 24 -29/gal.
Even with the paint remover you may just get the loose top layers off like the crappy house paint and the original base coat may still stick to the aluminum and that you can live alone.
So you may need only one application of the paste with a 3/4" nap 9" roller and long handle (stay as far as you can)
Let it sit for 20 minutes while keep applying it to stay wet on a cool day in shade.
Than pressure wash it off with a long wand if you have one (8' or so long)
After dry random orbit sand for about 30 min. tops and you will be good to go for the next step.

 

[88BLiner]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

I would say strip it because you said it was painted with house paint. Depending on what house paint it is it will clog your sandpaper like nothing you have ever seen before. I have stripped a whole car before and that spray stuff you can get at auto part stores and even wal-mart works great. The label says Aircraft Remover and has a picture of an airplane on it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

Check this thread for stripper results. Hard to argue..... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=298292&highlight=MrMarine&page=5

 

[Nasbinator]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

I have a aluminum starcraft someone used house paint on. I stripped it and I think it was the right thing to do. But man, it took forever!

 

[basspirate]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

i would recommend peel away. if thats too expensive for you then look for aircraft brand stripper. many auto parts stores (i.e. autozone and pep boys) sell it. its made specifically to be used on aluminum and will take off just about any finish.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Strip or Sand ?

Guys, good info, but this thread is from last summer.

The boat has been painted and the restoration is finished.