Stripping paint from gelcoat

[Wave goodbye]

Hello everyone,<br /> I have an old "63" Slickcraft ST-170(17ft tri-hull). The guy I got it from painted the hull with industral paint. Well he didnt know what he was doing as he didnt even scuff the surface before painting and now its startin to flake off revelling some shiny gel coat. Is there any quick way to get the paint off, without damaging the gel? The only way I know is to sand with 800/grit and useing 3M polishing and a buffer. Please tell me theres an ez way!!!!! If the gel coat is in good shape, I would like to keep it. If not I want to do a nice paint job, and some airbrush work. thanks for any ideas.

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

If the paint is already flaking and you know it wasn't well prepped. Then I would come at it with a polisher and a pair of goggles. I would expect the paint to fly right off of it with that machine!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

If the gel coat is good (why was it painted?) then I would try some paint stripper in a small area first. Some strippers are reported to be ok with gel coat, other not. In general, if not left on for long periods of time it should work ok. But test it out first!

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

Maybe look into Citrus Stripper?

 

[wizard]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

Pressure washer??

 

[Wave goodbye]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

Thanks everyone,<br />As it turns out some bodywork was done on the bottom of the middle-V, not much so far. I have done a test spot under for removing the paint. gel shines right up. GREAT!!! But I have a long way to go so I will try some stripper and see what turns up. I just got done with a 1'X1' spot on the side, using a DA with 220 then 800 then 00000/steel wool, then using some buffing cream and an electric buffer I was able to get an (almost) glassy finish. But now me arms feel like puddy LOL. Hope the stripper works. If I am using the wrong sand paper someone please give me the 411 on that. Thanks again everyone for all the advice and God Bless!!!

 

[Twidget]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

Like Wizard said, try a pressure washer. I had a car once that I stripped that way. It had an Earl Sheib special on it. A couple of bucks at the car wash and it was ready to sand and prime.

 

[noelm]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

stripper will definately remove it and not harm gelcoat, done it a couple of times to remove some old names on a boat, pressure washer will also work as the paint does not stick to gelcoat all that good

 

[mrom1234567]

Re: Stripping paint from gelcoat

West Marine makes a good stripper.<br />It is the kind you apply, then lay special paper in it for a few hours.<br />It will soften the paint, then use a plastic scrapper.<br />Michael