Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

[baytonemus]

I want to repaint the motor cover of my old 40hp Big Twin but, because it's made out of fiberglass, I'm concerned about getting a proper product to remove the old paint. Has anyone used something that will do this effectively without destroying the glass?

Thanks.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

sandpaper and elbow grease. (go easy around any edges, all you need is to take the shine off the original coating)

 

[dlngr]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

flexible bumper stripper-it's made to remove the paint from the rubber bumpers on cars,without ruining the bumper. Available at automotive paint stores.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

Since it has to do with paint I moved this for you

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

sandpaper and elbow grease. (go easy around any edges, all you need is to take the shine off the original coating)

Not in this case. This hood has been painted and repainted, the last time (not by me) with some sort of thick, brushed-on paint which has since opened up like a topographical map. This will have to be taken down to glass, in my opinion.

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

flexible bumper stripper-it's made to remove the paint from the rubber bumpers on cars,without ruining the bumper. Available at automotive paint stores.

Yes, I've looked at this type of product but none I've seen have said anything about suitability for use on fiberglass. Some have said NOT for use on rigid plastic, however. It doesn't really matter, though, because plastic and fiberglass are completely different substances.

That said (and my paranoia now well established), have you personally used a product like this on fiberglass? I appreciate your response and no offense intended.

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

Since it has to do with paint I moved this for you

I considered posting in that forum to begin with, but since this dealt with a motor (not a boat) I wasn't sure. Thanks for setting me on the straight and narrow, Bob.

 

[oops!]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

just break out the sander with 120 grit........you can have it done in 2 hours.....

 

[nwcove]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

exactly, get the worst off with 120, then id personally switch to 400, but as i said earlier, be very carefull around the edges, the sander with cut through quickly and expose the glass on the edges.

 

[island mike]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

Hi,I would not use that stripper stuff for cars,If you do there is fiberglass paint stripper,Remember resin IS indeed a plastic.But i would never touch the stuff,You have to leave it on only for a certain time etc.neutralize it afterwards and you would probably still have to scrape and sand..
Sandpaper is the way to go
SAND SAND SAND!
I have sanded many a boat a little cowling cant take a long time....

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

Meaning that there's some reason I shouldn't expose the fiberglass at all (for safety reasons?), or that I should just be careful not to remove too much of it?

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

Meaning that there's some reason I shouldn't expose the fiberglass at all (for safety reasons?), or that I should just be careful not to remove too much of it?

Just take the old nasty cracking peeling paint off, then keep on trucking until you have a smooth surface. If you're using 120, 150, or anything finer, you're going to have to really work at going too far. just be careful on the edges and corners, maybe hand sanding those areas, and I'd use an orbital palm sander on the rest of it. Your too paranoid. I've been sanding all over my gelcoat and taken several places down to raw glass. You'll be fine... just use some common sense and go for it!!! Some pictures would also be helpful...

 

[island mike]

Re: Stripping paint off fiberglass OBM hood?

Yes,Pics please