Undoing the Past Mistakes - Gelcoat

[ivan_ogburn]

Is there any safe way to remove paint applied over original gel coat without destroying the gelcoat?<br /><br />I don't want to get in to a giant debate over the cons and pros (are there any?)of applying paint over factory gelcoat, but once it has been decided to remove the paint, is there a way to do so that will help bring back the original gelcoat?<br /><br />

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Undoing the Past Mistakes - Gelcoat

If the paint (prep) job was done poorly, try a pressure washer, it may take off most of it.<br />If they did a good job, you may need to sand it all off, a much slower method. There are no issues with painting over gel coat, if the surface is prepaired well the paint will bond great.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Undoing the Past Mistakes - Gelcoat

Use a chemical paint remover.

 

[kfraser]

Re: Undoing the Past Mistakes - Gelcoat

Interlux makes a remover for stripping paint from gelcoat. Check out the site. The have some instructional videos on the site that are pretty good for repainting.<br /><br /> YachtPaint.Com

 

[epresutti]

Re: Undoing the Past Mistakes - Gelcoat

ivan_ogburn,<br /><br />I used my orbital sander and lots of 220 grit paper.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.

 

[ivan_ogburn]

Re: Undoing the Past Mistakes - Gelcoat

Thanks to everyon. But sanding is the only option - I would give up!

 

[kfraser]

Re: Undoing the Past Mistakes - Gelcoat

There are a number of ways to get a very nice finish on a boat. You have to decide which one makes sense in your paticular situation. Chemicals, sanding, painting ect. You might want to take into account why the boat was painted in the first place. Was the gelcoat so bad the previous owner painted over it? Restoring the gel coat after it has been painted probably wouldn't be an easy task. But, ya never know...